About Us

To take advantage of our specialist services, use the link below to download our Instruction Form (Word doc). Once completed, please fax through to: 011 794 2001

Click here to download Instruction Form

home

Introduction

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our services. My name is Samantha Curling and I have been involved in the architectural and building industry since 1987. In this time I have seen an enormous growth in the townhouse market. I am registered with the NHBRC, The South African Council for the Architectural Profession, the Gauteng Institute for Architecture, the Association of Arbitrators and the Estate Agencies Affairs Board.

Unfortunately, isn't it true that with the good comes the bad? The industry has attracted some bad elements where fly-by-night builders and "developers" have really taken clients for a ride. Unfortunately these minority cases have created an enormous amount of additional worry for the builders and developers who are legitimate. This causes a ripple effect and stress levels in new developments run high from the purchasers to the agents and developer.

We aim to assist all parties to reduce the stress levels and mediate between the parties involved in the following ways:

To the buyer / investor:

We can help you understand the process and assure you that what you have paid for is what you are in fact getting. We do site checks from the start of the project. I.e. foundation level and then follow up on a monthly basis with a report to you as the future owner of the property. This will give you an idea of the progress and standard of workmanship on the site. It will also give you an idea of the expected finishing date for occupation so that if you are buying for investment, and you have a tenant, you will not be surprised at the end when your

- tenant is ready to move in and the project is delayed and the unit is not ready to be occupied.

The monthly report will also give you an idea of when you will be expected to sign all documents including you "bank loan letter of satisfaction" which will be required to lodge for transfer. Often you, as a buyer will feel pressured into signing this as it is sometimes referred to as a "happy Letter" and sounds like you have no further recourse for snags to be rectified or completed, which in fact is not the case.

To the agent:

We can lighten your load in terms of owners calling for progress and problems, which can be sorted out easily by understanding the process. It is known that purchasers rely heavily on the agent for feedback on new developments and this is time-consuming. Further;

Investors often do not have time to go and check their units in time for the signing of the "bank loan letter of satisfaction" and therefore can hold up the transfer. It is also known that some conveyances have the purchasers sign these letters with the transfer documents and that this is not a legally acceptable practice in terms of the purchaser's rites.

To the developer:

We can assist you in understanding the buyers and knowing their concerns, which may influence the timing of the transfer of the development due to miss-understandings and small hick-ups. The purchasers will be kept informed of dates and requirements from them in order to get completion letters from purchasers without a fight because we would have walked the route from the start of the project. We will be able to forward concerns from the buyers, which need to be addressed early on to avoid any conflicts at a later date.

We see our services as an opportunity for you to save time and get an independent yet professional report for peace of mind. Our fees for the above are outlined in the attached schedule.

We look forward to giving you peace of mind.