Ooba George

22/05/2026

🏡 ooba Market Update | 22 May 2026

Stay informed with the latest developments affecting the property and home finance market.

This edition covers:
📈 Inflation and possible interest rate changes
⛽ Fuel price outlook
🏘️ Residential building activity trends
🌍 Key local and international economic developments

Understanding market trends can help buyers, sellers, and property professionals make more informed decisions.

See attached for the full update.

09/12/2025

03/10/2025

✨ Don’t Miss Out On Your Dream Home ✨

“The house you looked at today and wanted to think about until tomorrow may be the same house someone looked at yesterday and will buy today.” – Koki Adasi

In today’s competitive property market, hesitation can cost you your dream home. 🏡

That’s why being pre-qualified is so important. With an ooba pre-qualification:
✅ You’ll know exactly what you can afford.
✅ You’ll be confident to make an offer immediately.
✅ You won’t waste time second-guessing yourself.

Rather be prepared than live with regret. 💙

📞 Contact us today: 044 874 6464 / 044 874 3516
We’ll guide you through the process and get you one step closer to your dream home.

30/09/2025

🏘August 2025 Ooba Home Loan Trends

As we head into the final quarter of the year, here's a look at the latest home loan trends based on our August intake. These insights help us better understand the current property market and guide those looking to make property dreams a reality.

🔑Key Trends from August 2025:

• First-Time Homebuyers: A solid 47% of applications were from first-time buyers—this is a great indicator of new homeownership activity.
• Self-Employed Applicants: 13% of applications were from self-employed individuals.
• Loan-to-Value (LTV) Trends:
o 61% of bonds were granted with a ≥100% LTV, which means people are leveraging more of their property value.
o 45% of bonds were for

29/09/2025

🏗️ What are Progress Payments and How Do They Work?

Thinking of building your dream home instead of buying one? ✨ Then it’s important to understand progress payments, a key difference between building loans and home loans.

👉 With a home loan, the full loan amount is paid in one lump sum.
👉 With a building loan, the bank pays the loan out in stages (called progress payments) as construction moves forward.

🔹 When are progress payments made?

Typically 4-6 stages are agreed upfront (e.g., foundations, walls, roof, finishes).

At each stage, the builder completes the work.

You (the client) submit a request form, and the bank sends an assessor to confirm progress before releasing funds.

🔹 Who authorises the payments?
You do ✅ The bank releases the money, but only after your approval and inspection confirmation.

🔹 Documents you’ll need for a building loan:

Building plans & site plan (drawn up by an architect).

A signed contract with your builder.

Proof your builder is registered with the NHBRC (National Home Builders Registration Council).

A lien waiver from the builder (waiving rights to the property/materials).

🔹 Do you qualify?
You’ll need:
✔️ To be 18+ with a good credit record (score above 670).
✔️ A registered builder.
✔️ A deposit (usually 10%), unless you apply for a 100% bond.

💡 Top Tips Before You Build:

Get pre-qualified so you know your budget & credit readiness.

Work with an architect and consult an attorney before signing contracts.

Ensure the builder has Contractors All Risk Insurance.

Once complete, arrange proper home insurance.

🏡 Building your home may take time, effort, and planning — but in the end, you’ll have a home truly designed in your own image.

📲 Ready to explore your options? Contact ooba George on 044 874 6464 / 044 874 3516 and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

23/09/2025

🏡 Get Pre-Qualified for a Home Loan & Boost Your Approval Chances

Thinking of buying a home? The first step is pre-qualification ✅

Here’s why it’s so important:
🔹 Know what you can afford – no more wasting time looking at homes outside your budget.
🔹 Understand your credit standing – and fix any issues before you apply.
🔹 Strengthen your offer – a pre-qualification certificate shows sellers & agents you’re serious.
🔹 Boost approval chances – 90% of ooba’s pre-qualified applications are approved by banks.

✨ How it works:
1️⃣ Chat to one of our experts.
2️⃣ Share a few details about your income, expenses & debts.
3️⃣ Get your free certificate (valid for 90 days).

📌 Documents you’ll need:

SA ID / Passport

Payslip or 3 months’ bank statements

Proof of address

💡 Tip: Even if you don’t qualify now, pre-qualification gives you a roadmap to improve your finances so you’re ready next time.

📲 Ready to get started? Contact ooba George on 044 874 6464 / 044 874 3516 – let’s put you on the path to homeownership with confidence.

19/09/2025

💡 Thinking of buying a home? Here are the answers to some of the most common questions buyers ask!

🏡 FAQ About Buying a Home

1. How much do I need for a deposit?
Many banks offer up to 100% home loans, meaning no deposit is required. However, putting down a deposit can lower your monthly repayments.

2. Do I need a perfect credit score to qualify for a home loan?
Not at all! A higher score improves your chances, but lenders also look at affordability, income, and expenses.

3. How long does home loan approval take?
The timeline depends on the type of application. For example, a standard employed application is usually quicker, while self-employed or legal entity applications may take longer due to additional documentation.

4. Should I apply with more than one bank?
Yes! Each bank has different lending criteria. Applying to multiple banks increases your chances of approval and helps you get the best interest rate.

5. Can I buy a property if I’m self-employed?
Yes! You’ll need to provide extra documentation (like bank statements and financials), but ooba helps package your application to improve approval chances.

6. What are the hidden costs when buying a home?
Apart from your deposit, budget for transfer duty, legal fees, bond registration costs, and insurance.

7. Can I pay off my bond faster?
Yes! By making extra payments or increasing your monthly instalments, you can reduce interest and settle sooner.

📲 Call and speak to one of our home loan experts today! 044 874 6464 / 044 874 3516

18/09/2025

🔑 Unlock Homeownership with Cost-Inclusive Loans!

🌟 Did you know?
When applying for a home loan, only one applicant needs to be a first-time home buyer in order to qualify for a cost-inclusive home loan.

This means transfer and bond registration costs can be included in your bond — helping you take that first step into homeownership with less financial pressure. 🏡✨

At ooba George, we’ll guide you through the process and make sure you explore every option available.

📲 Call and speak to one of our home loan experts today! 044 874 6464 / 044 874 3516