Question 1

Can an attorney sell my house?

Accepted Answer

Yes. By law, both admitted attorneys and candidate attorneys may sell immovable property in the course and scope of their practice. On App Realtors, every listing is marketed by an admitted attorney or a supervised candidate attorney, and the same profession that markets the property registers its transfer at the Deeds Office.

Question 2

How is an attorney sale different from using an estate agency?

Accepted Answer

An attorney-led sale combines marketing and the legal process under one accountable professional. Attorneys practise under the Legal Practice Act, operate audited trust accounts and carry professional duties of care. There are fewer hand-offs between agent and conveyancer, which reduces surprises between offer and registration.

Question 3

What is a deceased-estate property sale?

Accepted Answer

When a person passes away, the executor of their estate may need to sell property to wind up the estate. These sales follow the Administration of Estates Act and often require the Master of the High Court's consent. Attorneys administer deceased estates daily, which is why estate properties are commonly sold through attorney mandates.

Question 4

Are auction properties sold voetstoots?

Accepted Answer

Generally yes — auction sales are typically sold voetstoots (as-is), subject to the published conditions of sale. Always read the conditions of sale and inspect the property before bidding. The responsible attorney can arrange viewings where possible.

Question 5

Who pays the transfer costs?

Accepted Answer

In South Africa the purchaser normally pays the transfer costs, which include transfer duty (a SARS tax), the conveyancer's professional fee, Deeds Office charges and other disbursements. If you're financing the purchase, the purchaser also pays bond registration costs — a separate conveyancing fee and Deeds Office charge, payable to the bond registration attorneys appointed by your bank. Transfer costs register the property into your name; bond registration costs register your bank's mortgage bond against it — two separate registrations, billed separately. The seller usually pays the bond cancellation costs on their existing bond and any agreed commission. Our transfer and bond cost calculators give an estimate before you sign an offer.

Question 6

What is transfer duty and when is it payable?

Accepted Answer

Transfer duty is a tax payable to SARS on most property purchases, calculated on a sliding scale. Properties below the current threshold attract no transfer duty. It must be paid before the property can be transferred, and the conveyancer attends to the payment as part of the transfer process.

Question 7

How long does a property transfer take?

Accepted Answer

A typical transfer takes around 8 to 12 weeks from acceptance of the offer to registration in the Deeds Office, depending on bond approval, rates clearance from the municipality, SARS processing and the Deeds Office itself. Estate and court-related sales can take longer because additional consents are required.

Question 8

How do I get a Free Property Market Assessment?

Accepted Answer

Complete the Free Property Market Assessment request form on our website, or call, email or WhatsApp us directly. Our team will review your request and arrange for a participating attorney to contact you — it's completely free, with no hidden fees and no obligation to sell or appoint an attorney.

Question 9

What does it cost to sell through an App Realtors attorney?

Accepted Answer

Fees are agreed upfront in the mandate with the listing attorney, before marketing begins. Because the attorney also attends to the conveyancing, the process is streamlined and the cost structure is transparent from day one.

Question 10

Who can join App Realtors?

Accepted Answer

Admitted attorneys in good standing with the Legal Practice Council. We verify LPC enrolment before a profile or listings go live. Conveyancer admission is an advantage but not a requirement to join the network.

Question 11

Can candidate attorneys use App Realtors?

Accepted Answer

Candidate attorneys work under the supervision of a principal — an admitted attorney — and cannot create their own App Realtors account. However, when a candidate attorney is marketing a property on behalf of their principal's firm, their profile can be added to that listing, in line with the Legal Practice Act.

Question 12

What does it cost to join App Realtors?

Accepted Answer

Creating your attorney profile is free — no payment is required to register. Your first property listing is also free. A paid package is only required from your second listing onward, matched to the size of your practice.

Question 13

Can I join before I have a property to list?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can create your attorney profile at any time, even before you have a property mandate to list — you'll be ready to list as soon as one arises.

Frequently asked questions

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