What happens after you sign an offer to purchase
A sale of land must be in writing and signed by both parties. Once the offer is signed by the purchaser and accepted by the seller, it becomes a binding agreement, subject to any conditions in it, such as bond approval.
The seller appoints a transferring attorney. The attorney asks for the title deed, the rates clearance figures and the compliance certificates, and prepares the transfer documents for both parties to sign.
If you take a bond, your bank appoints its own attorney to register the bond and issues guarantees for the purchase price. Transfer duty is paid to SARS, and rates are cleared with the municipality.
When everything is in place the attorney lodges the documents at the Deeds Office. Registration follows after the Deeds Office examines them, and that is the date you become the owner. The whole process usually takes several weeks to a few months.