Continuing our quest for interesting properties for sale around the world, we came across this game ranch in Kalahari, South Africa. The ranch is 643 hectares in size and surrounded by a three meter tall “Game proof fence.” We take that to mean “Elephant proof,” so we’re not so sure that’s a viable claim, but it makes for interesting reading.

Included in the sale is a four bedroom house, along with four, thatched roof chalets. Also included is a Land Rover, 25 Eland, 45 Kudu, 22 Zebras, and assorted other animals – but disappointingly, no Elephants.

The company that owns the ranch, Phrima safaris, offer big game rifle and bow hunting safaris and an opportunity to “live Africa like you never thought possible.” The name Phrima translates from the local language as “place where the sun sets,” so if you are looking for a getaway at the ends of the earth, this would seem to be it. Amongst their hunting advice is the maxim, “use enough gun,” which sounds like good advice to us.

Their website is here, although if you are not fond of photographs of dead trophy animals, we suggest keeping away. If, on the other hand, you are, they have an interesting selection for your viewing pleasure. In the meantime, here are some spectacular photos of live animals in the Kalahari, shot by hvhe1.

Viviun is listing the property at a mere $320,000, which is negotiable.

A Million Dollars. It certainly sounds like a lot of money. Just say it out loud: “A Million Dollars,” now say it slowly, “A Million Dollars.” It still sounds like a lot of money, but what will a million dollars buy in London, Europe or Africa or South America? As I began researching this article, the phrase, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison,” came to mind. Obviously, some countries vary widely from area to area, but here are some interesting properties for sale from around the world that all have the same price tag – A Million Bucks.

London. In London, one million bucks will secure a 3 bedroom flat in W6, a short walk from Hammersmith Broadway. This particular flat is offered by Foxtons and comprises one reception room, kitchen, three beds and one bath over 87 m sq. Leasehold with a share of the freehold.

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The bursting of the property bubble in the US need not be followed by a similar collapse in SA says Michael Power, equity strategist at Investec Asset Management.
Speaking on Moneyweb Radio, Power said the danger of a US property meltdown lies in the extent to which our economy will be exposed.
He said if the bubble did burst, the knock-on effect would take time to play out across the world and it would ultimately affect South African through commodity prices.
“Commodity prices won’t hold up as much if US consumers cut back on their consumption,” he explained.
This will slow the rate of growth in China, negatively affecting their demand for our commodities.
American house prices have shot up in relative terms over the last few years and this is “an extraordinary perfect storm”, said Power.
He explained that loose monetary policy in the US had generated consumer wealth, which had fuelled demand for property. The property market kept up with this demand by building 2m to 3m new houses each year and the combination was dangerous.
A bubble has been created on which whole world, to some extent, is dependent on, he said. “We are all drunk on American consumerism.”
Rocketing house values enabled Americans to draw more and more money out of their homes to fund their expenditure and Power reckoned the Chinese have been the beneficiaries of this spending.
“The current account deficit of the United States has ballooned in line with the increase in spending, and it’s no coincidence that about $600bn has been taken out in home equity withdrawals and the current account deficit being just a little more than that.”
But there are worries that the bubble will burst.
Monetary policy is being tightened around the world, not just in the United States but also in Europe and Japan. Emerging markets are being regarded as higher-risk assets In the United States 25% of all houses are being bought by investors or by people looking for a second home. People are probably just starting to get a little scared at that sort of statistic, said Power.

Source: Moneyweb

Expatriate South Africans are behind a rise in the number of online applications for mortgages, according to home loan facilitator MortgageSA.

MD Saul Geffen says there has been a marked increase in South Africans living abroad applying for home financing through the company’s Web site and call centres.

“Internationally, people have become very comfortable with buying things online through greater Web site security and the greater convenience of keystrokes over traffic jams and crowded shops.”

“And with the many excellent property Web sites showcasing South African property, increasing numbers of expats are comfortable buying property this way, then come to us for financing.”

He adds that the company receives dozens of enquiries a day - mainly from South Africans in London who plan to return to SA. Most buy in Cape Town and Johannesburg, but increasing numbers are buying in Durban.

Geffen says expatriates can typically secure up to 80% or 100% financing on a property, even though they work overseas.

“The client will provide us with their gross income earned overseas and we will do the calculation. Banks would typically lend an amount based on what the expat could earn in SA, which is often lower than what they would earn abroad.”

He says banks want to be assured that if expatriates return, they will be able to service the bond payments from their local income.

“We work with all the major banks and are normally able to find a great deal for the expat,”

Geffen says.

- from AllAfrica.com

In the wake of a global record holiday season online buying spree, South African property is the latest beneficiary of the rush towards cyber shopping. Saul Geffen, managing director of MortgageSA, the country’s leading home loan facilitator says: “We have seen a marked increase in South Africans living abroad applying for home financing through the MortgageSA website and through our call centres.

“Internationally, people have become very comfortable with buying things online through greater website security and the greater convenience of keystrokes over traffic jams and crowded shops. And with the many excellent property websites showcasing SA property, increasing numbers of expats are comfortable buying property this way — then come to us for financing.”

Geffen says the MortgageSA website is hosted on over 320 websites including being hosted on most major property websites.

Killing two birds with one stone

“Websites allow a property buyer to kill two birds with one stone; search for property and use online tools to calculate costs and affordability. Our marketing research shows that up to 25 percent of our web applicants are seeking our home loan application website via property websites.”

Geffen notes that MortgageSA receives dozens of enquiries daily — typically from South Africans in London who plan to come back to South Africa and settle down. Most buy in Cape Town and Johannesburg and increasingly, Durban.

Minimise the home loan process

“Expats are increasingly researching property and finance options via websites from overseas. They research their financial options very carefully and we provide them with all the information they need through our website and home loan calculator wizards. They come to companies like MortgageSA because they want to get a quick answer and minimise the hassle of the home loan process when applying through banks from afar.”

Expats can typically secure up to 80 to 100 percent financing on a property even though they work overseas.

Expats finding great deals on Overseas Property

“The client will provide us with their gross income earned overseas and we will do the calculation. Banks would typically lend an amount based on what the expat could earn in South Africa, which is often lower than what they would earn abroad.

A good example of this is the nursing profession. Nurses earn much more in Dubai than in SA so banks want to feel assured that if expats return, they will be able to service the bond repayments from their local income. We work with all the major banks and are normally able to find a great deal for the expat.”

150 000 home loans secured

Geffen says MortgageSA’s is successfully attracting expats because their website is easily accessible through major search engines like Google and is the only multilender mortgage application website in SA supported by a national call centre.

“We have now secured over 150 000 home loans for homebuyers and now a lot of our business comes from referrals from satisfied customers.”

“As we have a very well resourced call centre with specialised property finance consultants offering personalised service via telephone and on e- mail, we are able to build strong relationships internationally.”

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