Seller Tips

RELOCATION HINTS AND IDEAS

Relocating can be a trying experience. Between the people, the belongings and the paperwork, there’s simply so much to do that it can all be overwhelming. That’s why we would like to help!
Included in this booklet you’ll find some hints on how to organize your household belongings in order to make your move a little easier. We also hope to give you some ideas on how to pack and what not to pack!

Then of course, there is some advice from kids to parents on moving, and because they can’t speak for themselves we’ve added some tips from the pets and house plants as well!
The paperwork is the worst.... So many things to remember and seemingly never enough time.
A moving day diary is included which you will find invaluable. Lastly, the conveyancing procedure along with a checklist of your responsibilities in this process, to ensure a speeding transfer into the the purchaser’s name.

It seems a good friend is hard to find - especially when you need help moving! We hope the Dormehl Property Group Handy Helper and your Dormehl Agent will be all you need to complete a successful move.

Best of Luck!!

MOVING DAY DIARY

□ Book the movers
□ Organize Insurance for your possession while in transit
□ Give notice to schools and colleges
□ Apply for a new telephone, arrange that the telephone department re-directs your calls to your new number, & arrange for your telephone to be disconnected and re-installed on moving day (dial 10219)
□ Leave a forwarding address at your old home
□ Change your postbox (if you have one) & arrange for the Post Office to re-direct your mail (there is a nominal
charge)
□ Pay electricity and water deposits to the local authority, and arrange that they are connected on the correct date.
□ Arrange that electricity, water and telephone meters are read on moving day.
□ Collect keys for the new house through your Estate Agent, and make plans to hand over keys for the old one.
□ Buy a supply of curtain runners, stoppers, hooks, globes and plugs, and keep them handy during the move.
□ Get a tool kit handy with screwdrivers, pliers, hammer etc.
□ Keep a first aid kit handy
□ Advise your change of address to:
□ Receiver of Revenue
□ Motor Licensing Dept.
□ Insurance Company
□Bank
□ Home Affairs for your identity document
□ Employers and Schools
□ Friends, relatives and neighbours
□ Public Library
□Newspaper and Magazine subscriptions
□ Sports clubs and children’s activities
□ Credit Card and other accounts
□ Arrange to transfer bank accounts. Remember your safe deposit box
□ Uplift prescriptions, medical and dental records for transfer to your new area
□ Advise movers of your cell phone numbers so you can be reached en-route to your new destination
□ Have extra cash available, in case of emergencies
□ Last, but not least, pack a basket with tea, coffee, cups, teaspoons, milk, sugar and a light snack.
□ Call your Dormehl Property Group Area specialist for assistance if necessary!

PACKING TIPS

One of the biggest mistakes many people make when they move is to “take everything”. It may be hard to do but if you will take the time to evaluate what you really want in your new home, it will save you a lot of aggravation when you unpack and settle in.

The best way to attach this problem is to prepare an inventory of each room, indicating items to be kept, and those to be given away or discarded. Get the whole family involved, and pin a list up in each room. Be “ruthless”’ organize a garage sale and sell or donate all the questionable items you can!

Then make a list of the new items that you may need to buy to fit into, and complete, your new home.
Most well-quipped removal companies will transport the contents of your house without the slightest bother or help from you. However, the biggest saving you can make is by doing the packing yourself. Here are some handy hints to assist you with this sometimes lengthy task:
When gathering empty boxes from the local supermarket, look for some smaller ones that you can lift easily even when full of books. The sturdier the better. Don’t forget to buy packing tape and a large marking pen.

Compartmented cartons (such as liquor comes in) are ideal for glassware and small knick-knacks.
Draw a layout of the new house and number each room
Label each box as to contents, and according to the number of the room to which it is to be taken when unloaded at your new house. When a house is empty the movers will not know which is “John’s Room”. However, if you pin a copy of the house layout at the front door of your new home when you arrive, the movers will quickly see which boxes and furniture are to be taken to the various rooms.

This is a real time saver!
Clearly mark those boxes which contain fragile objects and whether the box should be loaded last, so as to be unloaded first.
Wrap all breakable dishes separately (first in tissue, then newsprint; ink from newspapers may stain fine china) and use washcloths or aprons to fill up the empty spaces. You could also use bubble-wrap for any fragile objects.

Newsprint rolls (without printing) may be purchased very cheaply, and removes the necessity of washing all your crockery when you unpack.
When packing odd items (tools, heavy pans, sports equipment) put the things that weigh most at the bottom for better balance.

Towels, linen and tablecloths make excellent padding for fragile items.
Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. Alternate bindings and wrap valuable books separately.
If your move is a local one, lay your hanging clothes flat in the back of your car and pin, or otherwise secure them to the hangers, so that they do not slip off during moving. Tie the hangers together by the handles with elastic banks in batches of 10 to facilitate easy carrying.

Empty refrigerator & freezer so they can dry for at least 10 hrs to prevent mildew and unpleasant odours.
Perfume, medicine, nail varnish remover and anything else that could leak and ruin other items should be tightly sealed with tape and placed in separate plastic bags.
Empty all gasoline, fuel etc from camping equipment, lawnmovers etc. Have your rugs and curtains cleaned before moving & leave them in their wrappings for easier handling.

WHAT NOT TO PACK

Valuable jewellery, furs, silver, irreplaceable photo’s, car ownership records, insurance policies, medical/dental records, passports, identity and other special documents, coin or stamp collections are best transported by you.
Do not transport ammunitions, firearms, fireworks or chemistry sets. Keep those with you.
Perishable foods should be kept to a minimum and should be transported in your own car.

KEEPING THE KIDS HAPPY

Moving to a new area can be an unnerving experience for adults, but for the kids the experience can be downright traumatic. The prospect of leaving friends, school and familiar settings can cause serious problems at a time when parents already have their hands full. More than anything else, children fear the unknown; what will my new school be like? Who will my new friends be? Can I still be a scout? Will I ever see my old friends again? Will my new room be as nice as my old room? The more information you give a child in advance about his/her new environment, the more secure he’ll feel about the move. Here are some tips to smooth the transition.

SCHOOLS

If at all possible, visit the new school with your child, preferably while school is still in season, so your child can get a picture of it in his/her mind. Ask the principal and guidance counselor if there are special programmes at the start of a new school year fro new students. School officials may be able to refer you to one or two local kids who will serve as “buddies” once your child starts.

THE NEW HOME

At the start of the home buying process, involve your children very directly - ask them what they like and dislike about your current home, how they would like to decorate tier new room. Open discussions not only generate excitement and give the child some sense of control, they help the parents define their home buying needs.

THE MOVING PROCESS

To keep children enthusiastic about the move during the time prior to moving day, involve them in the preparation process. This will ensure what they have a chance to deal with the move emotionally. Give them a photo of the new home to show their friends and a sketch of the floor plan of their rooms so they can plan where they want to place their belongings.

GIVE THEM SPACE

Give your children a chance to say good-bye to old friends. Allow for the possibility that your children may be depressed or moody for a while - just keep loving them through the process. Don’t keep asking them if they are making new friends - they will do this in their own time and when they feel comfortable. Encourage them to invite new friends around to meet you.

MOVING YOUR PETS

Animals need special care and handling to get to their new home. Here are a few tips on getting your menagerie from there to there.

FISH

In general, it is impractical to move an any aquariums with fish in it. Plan on giving the fish away with a promise to restock the aquarium when you arrive at your new home if you are travelling long distances. For local moves, fish should be put into well sealed plastic bags with sufficient water.

CATS & DOGS

Think twice about taking your dog or cat with on a long cross country trip. Not only can animals get car-sick, but being cooped up in a car all day can make them nervous and can cause them to act strangely. They must be fed and watered (make sure you take a water dish) they have to make rest stops and they have to be on a leash to keep them from running off anytime the car door is opened. Some hotels/motels will not allow pets. Others have facilities for handling traveler’s pets. Call in advance and check your route. You may wish to make use of Animal movers.
If you are flying to your new destination, your animals can ride in the baggage compartment. In this instance, you will need a health certificate from your Vet. Call the airline in advance and request details about special holding cages/boxes. To make sure your pet is comfortable, it is a good idea to get some tranquilizers from your Vet. It’s also a good idea to put a piece of clothing with your scent into the box so it will feel more at home. It is sometimes a good idea to take your animals to kennels a few days before you can move to keep them out of the way during the packing process.

SMALL ANIMALS

Collections of hamsters, birds, mice and such can be transported in the family car fairly easily. Make sure they have enough food and water and are out of drafts or extreme temperatures. It’s good to cover their cages with a cloth to keep them quiet and restful. Remember, a long trip can be even tougher for an animal then a human!

MOVING YOUR HOUSE PLANTS

If you can’t bear the thought of leaving your pot plants, there are ways you can take them with you without hurting them!
A couple of weeks before you move, prune plants so they can be easily packed. This will make the plant easier to move and they will need less water & sunlight to survive.
A week before you move put the plants in a black plastic bag and spray a little bug spray in the bag before you put the plant in. Close the bag and place in a cool area overnight. This will kill any parasites or pests on the plant or in the soil.

The day before your move, secure the plants in cardboard containers use dampened newspaper to ensure they are held snugly in place. More moist paper should be put on top to keep them moist.
On the day, set the boxes aside and mark “Do not Load” so they won’t be taken on the moving van, if that is what you want!
When you are on the road, be careful where you park your car. Park in a shaded area, and leave the window open.
Unpack the plants as soon as you can after arriving at your new home. Take plants out through the bottom of the box in order to avoid braking stems. Let them get exposed to sunlight gradually if they have been in the removal van for a few days.

If you do not have space for the plants, taking cuttings. Place cuttings in a plastic bag with wet paper towels around them.
Plant as soon as possible.

THE TRANSFER PROCEDURE

Once the Agreement of Sale and Purchase has been signed by the buyer and the seller, it becomes a binding agreement. The estate agent will issue instructions to the Conveyancers to attend to the registration of transfer into the purchasers name.

1. CONDITIONS
When all the subjective conditions have been fulfilled such as the bond being granted, and the wood-
borer and electrical inspections done and a clearance certificate obtained, the Conveyancers will
start on a set of transfer documents.

2. SETTLEMENT FIGURE
The conveyancer obtains a settlement figure from the Financial Institution holding the current bond
over the property. Written applications must be done.

3. TITLE DEEDS
The Conveyancers must obtain the Title Deeds to the property. These are frequently held by the
Financial Institution holding the bond over the property. Written application must be made.

4. GUARANTEE
The financial Institution holding the Title Deeds will only release them if and when a guarantee is
issued that the existing bond balance will be paid in full on transfer.

5. DOCUMENTS

These are drawn up by the conveyances for the buyer and the seller to sign.
• Power of Attorney from seller to the conveyancers authorizing the latter to effect transfer into
purchaser’s name.
• Transfer duty declaration to be signed by both parties or by the purchaser only if the property is
exempt from transfer duty.
• Insolvency affidavit to be signed by both parties that they are not un-rehabilitated insolvent.
• Matrimonial affidavit to verify marital and personal details of both parties.
• Rates clearance certificate to be obtained by sending a signed application with the prescribed fee
to the local authority. Before a certificate is issued, rates must be paid up to date to the end of the
current rates year.
• Levy clearance certificate for sectional title units - a request is sent to the managing agent of the
Body Corporate with the required fee. Levies must be up to date before a clearance certificate is
issued.
• Pro-forma account issued to the purchaser advising him of the total costs payable by him with a
request to sign all the documents and to pay such costs.

6. PAYMENT OF COSTS

Any delay in the payment of the above costs will stop transfer.

7. TRANSFER DUTY RECEIPT

Obtained from the receiver of revenue upon payment of transfer duty.

8. AGENTS
Once all the documentation is completed, signed and the required certificates obtained, the necessary
documentation is sent to Pietermaritzburg Conveyancers “Agents” who will hold them until another 2 sets
of documents reach them. I.e. bond registration documents and bond cancellation documents.

9. BOND APPLICATION
Normally attended to by the Estate Agent as soon as the sale agreement as been signed by the seller and
the purchase.

10. LETTER OF GRANT
Once the financial institution is satisfied that the purchaser qualifies for the bond in all respects. It will send a letter of grant to purchaser informing him/her at the same time of any conditions relating to the bond & who the bond attorneys will be. The financial institution will instruct the bond attorneys to proceed with the bond registration.

11. ENTOMOGOLISTS REPORT
No bond will be registered unless the wood-borer and termite free certificate is issued.
A cost of obtaining the certificate and any work to be carried out is for the seller’s account.

12. ELECTRICAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
Legislation dictates that an inspection of the electrical wiring be undertaken and a certificate
issued. A cost of obtaining the certificate and any work to be carried out is for the sellers
account.

13. DRAFT DEED
The bond attorney will request preliminary draft deed from the transferring conveyancers as
the bond needs to be recorded against the new title deed.

14. GUARANTEES
The bond attorney obtains an official guarantee from the financial institution for the new
bond, and some kind of guarantee for the balance of the purchaser price.

15. INSURANCE
No bond attorney will send a request to the purchaser for signing of all documents with an
estimated account of costs. The purchaser must pay all costs as soon as possible.

16. PRO-FORMA ACCOUNT
The bond attorney will send a request to the purchaser for signing of all documents with an
estimated account of costs. The purchaser must pay all costs as soon as possible.

17. DOCUMENTATION
The bond attorney now send all his documents to Pietermaritzburg.

18. FEES
Once all three sets of documents have been received by the agents in Pietermaritzburg,
these agents call for fees.

19. LODGEMENT
The three sets of documents are “married” at the Deeds Office and presented for
registration. They are checked and then the Registrar of Deeds signs them, at which
moments transfer is affected into the purchasers name.

CONVEYANCING CHECKLIST

SELLER

Advise conveyancers of the loan account number of the bond and name of bondholder.
Furnish Dormehl with photocopies of:

• Identity Documents
• Marriage Certificate
• Antenuptial Contract

Sign transfer documents at Conyancers office when called upon to do so.
Advise Conveyancers of Rates Account number, and whether it is paid annually or monthly.

PURCHASER

Apply for bond through Dormehl Property Group

Advise Dormehl Conveyancers which bank applied to:

• Furnish Dormehl with photocopies of:
• Identity Documents
• Marriage Certificate
• Antenuptial Contract
  

Pay Conveyance’s pro-forma acc when called upon to do so (Transfer Duty/ conveyance’s fees)
Pay bond cost to Conveyancers (Registration & Inspection)
Sign authority of guarantee
Sign “Power of Attorney” to pass bond

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