South Africa's Most Expensive Homes

To celebrate spring we thought we'll make you a little "green".. With envy , that is.. We compiled the 5 most expensive homes in South Africa. Enjoy!

5. Palgrave Penthouses, V & A Waterfront Cape Town (WC). R 61 000 000

These V & A penthouses are lusted over by Capetonians of every creed. Their sleek design and unbeatable views make them THE place to be. This beautiful 561 m² penthouse apartment is fitted to perfection with stylish bedrooms, three luxurious bathrooms, a swimming pool, designer kitchen, wrap around terraces, under-floor heating, and parking for three cars.

Price: R61 000 000
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Estate Agency: Seeff Properties
For more information on this property contact Emelia: 083 327 27072 | emelia@seeff.com l or Karen: 327 27072 l karenmiller@seeff.com

4. Morningside, Sandton (GT). R 65 000 000

This gorgeous home is paradise found; Over 20 000m2 of prime property in the heart of Morningside.

The home offers a myriad of opportunities for developers, or for those who desire a “Country” lifestyle in the city. A gracious extensive home with additional cottages, pool and court yard set amongst the most beautiful indigenous trees.
This is home is practically on the doorstep of Sandton’s CBD, all freeways and many top schools, such as Redhill and Crawford.

Price: R65 000 000
Web access: 471995
Estate Agency: Pam Golding Properties
For more information on this property contact Sandy Young: 0823302223 | Office 011 380 0000

3. Bantry Bay, Cape Town (WC). R 71 000 000

This unique multi-level designer Bantry Bay home has everything for the modern family. The home offers four bedrooms, five bathrooms, two family rooms, private cinema, wrap around balconies, dining deck, pool with solar heater, sauna steam room, games room, gym, maple flooring, staff accommodation, and parking for five cars. The home also boasts an erf size of 1482sqm with a beautiful garden and spectacular sea views.

Price: R71 000 000
Estate Agency: Chas Everitt
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 5
For more information on this property contact Brian May: brianmay@everitt.co.za l 083 230 4261

2. Clifton, Cape Town (WC).R 90 000 000

This world class architectural masterpiece has 180° views and was designed by award-winning architect Stefan Antoni.

Antoni was commissioned to design Nettleton Road's most sophisticated residence and that he did. Featuring unique, over-sized open-plan entertainment areas with rim-flow pool, carefully integrated into the natural environment this home is truly outstanding. Boasting specifications of international standards, this home includes a bar & games room; cinema; gym; four en-suite bedrooms including a lavish main suite; generous 5 bedroom staff accommodation, plus three garages & three off-street parking bays.

Price: R90 000 000
Estate Agency: Pam Golding Properties
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
For more information on this property contact Basil Moraitis or Annette Hepburn 021 439 1614 l 082 565 8481 l 082 658 1116.

1. One and Only, V&A Waterfront Cape Town (WC). R 110 000 000

Live at the top of the exclusive One and Only Hotel situated in the V & A Waterfront Cape Town.

Pam Golding are proud to offer two Majestic Penthouses with four Bedrooms, four bathrooms, and three undercover secure parkings at this extraordinary property launched by Sol Kerzner.

All amenities and the security offered by this world class hotel will be accessible to the owners of these apartments. The property features an approximately 300sqm roof top garden with swimming pool, pagoda and entertainment area. Music/media room, study. his and hers bathrooms, air-conditioning and under-floor heating, a private elevator to your penthouse.

Interior design by renowned New York designer Adam Tihany.

Price: R110 000 000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Estate Agency: Pam Golding Properties
For more information on this property contact Paul Levy or Lynn Pinn: 021 439 1614 l 083 300 3001 l 083 631 4890.

8 ways to cut closing costs

8 ways to cut closing costs

8 ways to cut closing costs

Not only should you prepare for closing costs, you should also plan to negotiate them.

Closing costs are a hidden speed bump in the home purchasing process. Many people are so worn out at that point, that they just pay the closing costs and keep driving ahead at full speed. That's exactly what many lenders and brokers hope that you'll do.

Prepare for the closing costs before you get started and they'll seem like just another part of the process. And the few hundred dollars you save will come in handy when the water heater breaks the first week that you move in!

Check out the following eight tips to start getting an idea of how to cut closing fee costs:

#1: Plan ahead: shop around and get estimates on closing costs from lenders before you get pre-approved for your loan. While you should ultimately look at the closing costs along with other factors like the interest rate, you'll be able to get a ballpark figure of what they should be. Closing costs are generally 3%-5% of the total cost. If they are more than that, you can probably dismiss that lender.

#2: Simply ask the seller to share or pay for the closing costs. It's worth a shot, especially in this economy. If the seller is motivated to close the deal quickly, he or she just might agree to it.

#3: Get a Good Faith Estimate. Your GFE is an estimate of how much the closing costs will come to. According to federal law, the actual individual fees can vary up to 10% from the quoted levels in the GFE. Study your GFE and contest or negotiate any suspicious fees (we'll get to this in later steps). At least a day before closing, ask for you HUD-1 settlement statement. Make sure that this final tally of your closing costs matches the GFE and that no last minute fees have been tacked on.

#4: Ask your broker or lender to explain the closing cost fees to you. If you don't understand what the cost is for, have them tell you. If you can't get a good explanation, that's a sign that the fee is inflated or unnecessary.

#5 Determine what fees are "trash" or "garbage" fees. Are there excessive documenting and processing fees? Lender's inspection fees? Commitment fees? Assumption fees? Document preparation fees? These can likely be lowered or negotiated.

#6 Check to see how much you've been charged for the credit report. Are they charging you $150? It's probably bloated. And if they are sneaking that one by you, there are likely others.

#7 Make sure that you haven't already paid any of the fees. You've probably already paid an appraisal fee. Make sure that they aren't charging you twice.

#8 Title Company fees. Lenders or brokers often have a partnership with a title company. Check out the fee and do a little research to see if you can find a cheaper title company to work with.

It may feel like you are at the mercy of your lender or broker when it comes to things like closing fees. You can't forget, though, that the lender or broker wants the deal to close as much as you do. Remind yourself that you can walk away at any time and it will put you in a much better mental position to negotiate.

California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom Sells in The City

SELLER: Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom
LOCATION: San Francisco, CA
PRICE: $2,750,000
SIZE: 3,051 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: This may be old news to all the Bay Area real estate crazies but those who don't regularly peruse the San Francisco, CA property blogs may not already know that GavinNewsom, the slick former mayor of San Fran and current Lieutenant Governor of California, has done sold his house in theAshbury Heights 'hood and decamped to Marin County where he and the missus–actress Jennifer Siebel–have temporarily moved into her wealthy parents' mansion in the leafy and upscale community of Ross.

Young, rich and extraordinarily well-connected MisterNewsom–his family is all knotted up with the oil rich and scandal-plagued Getty family–was a millionaire vintner, restaurateur and hotelier before 2004 when he ascended with great fanfare and social media buzz to the mayorship of San Francisco. Much to the chagrin of the seven social conservatives in San Francisco, Mister Newsom single-handedly launched gay marriage into the national mainstream media in 2004 when he legalized gay marriage within the city limits. That gay party didn't last long thanks to various legal actions and Proposition 8 and neither did Mister Newsom's first marriage to boob-toobhostess Kimberly Guilfoyle. That toothy pair went kaput in 2006 amid rumors (and later revelations) of an extra-marital affair with the wife of a close associate.

Gated Mediterranean Estate On 10 Acres In Alamo, CA

This gated Mediterranean estate is located at 322 Lark Lane in Alamo, CA and is situated on 10 acres. It was built in 2005 and boasts 10,633 square feet of living space with 5 bedrooms, 6 full and 3 half bathrooms, 4-car garage,swimming pool with spa and cabana, tennis court, outdoor bar and much more. It is listed at
$11,800,000.

13,000 Square Foot Mediterranean In Newport Coast, CA

This Mediterranean style mansion is located at 5 Pelicans Drive in Newport Coast, CA. Built in 2005, this 13,000 square foot home boasts a total of 6 bedrooms and 7 full and 3 half bathrooms. The ground level boasts a 2-story foyer with grand staircase, formal living and dining rooms with vaulted ceilings, wood paneled library/office with private entrance, gourmet kitchen, morning room, great room and a guest suite. The 2nd floor boasts a grand master suite with gym and spa and 3 additional bedroom suites. Other amenities include a wine cellar, 7 fireplaces crafted of marble and limestone, a home theater, loggias, formal gardens, swimming pool and a 3,300 square foot 8-car garage. It is listed at $17,750,000.

$6.5 Million Stately Mansion In Potomac, MD

his stately gated mansion is located at 11824 Centurion Way in Potomac, MD. It was built in 2o06 and boasts a circular motor court with fountain, porte-cochere, swimming pool, expansive patio and a detached garage. It boasts 12,626 square feet of living space with 7 bedrooms and. 10 bathrooms. The main focal point of the home is the massive circular, central great room that opens up to to the dining room, living room, kitchen and grand 2-story foyer with double staircase. It is listed at $6,500,000.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LISTING

$5.3 Million Tuscan New Build In Houston, TX

This beautiful Tuscan style new build is located at 5506 Holly Springs Drive in Houston, TX. It was built by Chandler Custom Homes and boasts 9,730 square feet of living space with magnificent trim work, furniture grade cabinetry, floating spiral staircase with beautiful wrought iron railings, wood paneled library, formal living and dining rooms, wine room, open concept gourmet kitchen and great room area with sliding doors leading outside, master suite with custom his-and-hers closets, media room, outdoor wraparound balcony, summer kitchen, outdoor covered patio with fireplace and a 4-car garage. It is listed at $5,300,000.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LISTING