Home Loan Application Process
Confused why your bond is registered for more than your home loan amount? Learn in simple terms what the “additional amount” on a registered bond means, why banks do it, and why you don’t pay for it.
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Banks in South Africa have BEE reporting requirements for home loans. Learn how this affects approvals and why race is asked on bond applications.
Not all prequalification certificates are equal. Learn why most are useless, how banks calculate affordability using Debt Service Ratio and assets, and how Phoenix Bonds gives you a strategy, not just a number.
Think your home loan savings come from a lower interest rate? Think again. Banks cash in on hidden fees and overpriced building insurance. Phoenix Bonds shows you how to cut costs.
Are foreign buyers treated unfairly in South Africa’s property market? Discover the truth about the 50% deposit rule, banking bias, and how Phoenix Bonds helps international buyers secure home loans.
When the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announces changes to the repo rate, the media goes into overdrive: “Interest rates hiked!” or “Rate cuts bring relief!” But what does this really mean for your home loan - and do banks really borrow money from SARB before lending it to you? Let’s break it down...
When shopping for a home loan, most buyers hope to “negotiate the best rate” — and rightly so. Even a small discount on your interest rate can save you hundreds of thousands of rand over the life of your bond. But how do banks actually decide what rate to offer, and why are there limits to how low they can go? Let’s unpack the reality.
Identity fraud is a growing problem in South Africa, and unfortunately many people only discover it when it’s already caused serious damage. At Phoenix Bonds, we’ve seen cases where clients only realise something is wrong when they apply for a home loan and the bank pulls their credit report.
As an estate agent, you’re often the first person a buyer turns to when making one of the biggest financial decisions of their life. And while buyers may feel confident approaching their own bank directly, or even another bond originator, part of your role is helping them make the smartest choice. Here’s how to confidently explain why working with a Phoenix Bonds broker is the best move for every situation.
Not too long ago, many South Africans had a “bank manager” they knew by name. You could walk into a branch, sit down with someone who understood your history, and negotiate based on loyalty, trust, and the length of your relationship with the bank. That era is gone. Today, banking has shifted dramatically. The focus is no longer on long-standing relationships - it’s on numbers, profitability, fees, and risk management. Decisions are increasingly centralised, automated, and driven by algorithms that assess affordability, risk, and return.
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