How long does buying and selling a home take?
The steps from a signed offer to registration, and what slows them down.
From a signed offer to registration at the Deeds Office, published guides say a clean transfer takes about two to three months (ooba). Delays are what stretch it, not the legal steps.
The steps
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Offer to purchase | Buyer and seller sign the offer to purchase (OTP). |
| 2. Home loan approval | If the buyer needs a bond, how long approval takes depends on the bank. Ask your bank or bond originator. |
| 3. Transfer attorney appointed | The seller appoints the transfer attorney. |
| 4. Documents prepared and signed | The attorney prepares the transfer documents and both sides sign. |
| 5. Costs paid | The buyer pays the transfer attorney’s fees, and transfer duty (if applicable) goes to SARS. |
| 6. Lodgement | Documents are lodged at the Deeds Office, which examines them. Examination takes about seven to ten working days, after which the conveyancer has five working days to register (STBB). |
| 7. Registration | The deed registers and the buyer becomes the owner. A new bond registers at the same time the old one is cancelled. |
What causes delays
- Compliance certificates that are missing or fail inspection
- Delays at the municipality with the clearance figures
- Incomplete FICA documents from buyer or seller
- Bond approval complications
- Linked transfers, where your purchase depends on someone else’s sale
How to avoid them
- Sellers: order your compliance certificates early and repair any faults before you accept an offer. Which certificates you need.
- Buyers: get pre-qualified before you view and have your FICA documents ready. Why pre-qualify first.
- Both: respond quickly to your attorney. Most delays are waiting for a document.
If your purchase depends on your own sale, tell me at the start. A linked transfer is the slowest to plan and the easiest to get wrong.
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Sources
General information only. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm figures with your conveyancing attorney, bank or accountant before you decide. See the Disclaimer.
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