It’s one of the most common questions we hear from property sellers in South Africa. You have a signed, legally binding offer on your home, which means hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of rands in equity are officially yours. Yet, you’re told you have to wait 60 to 90 days, sometimes longer, for the conveyancing process to conclude before you see a cent of it.
This frustrating delay can feel like having your own money locked in a vault you can’t open. You might need those funds right now for a deposit on your next home, to cover relocation costs, or to settle outstanding accounts.
The great news is that you don’t have to wait. It is entirely possible to get a significant portion of your sale proceeds advanced to you, often within 24 to 48 hours of a completed application. This financial tool is known as a Property Seller Advance Payment, a specialised form of bridging finance that we at New Heights Finance facilitate every day.
What Exactly is a Property Sale Advance?
A property sale advance is not a traditional loan based on your income or credit score. Instead, it is a cash advance against the guaranteed future proceeds of your property sale.
Once you have a secure Offer to Purchase (OTP), the equity in your home is no longer just a number on paper; it’s a confirmed future asset. A specialised finance provider can then “bridge the gap” by advancing you up to 80% of these confirmed net proceeds.
Think of it this way: you’re not borrowing new money. You are simply accessing your own money, sooner. The advance is secured by the funds held by the conveyancing attorney, making it one of the safest and fastest forms of short-term finance available.
How Does the Process Work?
The reason an advance on a property sale can be processed so quickly is because it’s based on a secure, legal transaction that is already in progress. The process is designed to be seamless and work in tandem with your conveyancing attorney.
Step 1: The Secure Offer to Purchase (OTP)
The entire process begins once your property sale becomes unconditional. This means:
- The Offer to Purchase has been signed by both you and the buyer.
- All suspensive conditions have been met (e.g., the buyer has secured their bond approval).
At this point, the sale is legally secure, and the proceeds are guaranteed, pending registration at the Deeds Office.
Step 2: Verification by the Conveyancer
Your appointed conveyancing attorney is central to the process. They will provide the finance company with a breakdown of the expected proceeds. This calculation includes:
- The gross sale price.
- Less your existing bond settlement amount.
- Less the estate agent’s commission.
- Less any other costs (like compliance certificates or outstanding levies).
The final figure is your net proceeds, which is the amount the lender will use to calculate your maximum advance (usually up to 80% of this amount).
Step 3: Fast Application and Payout
This is where we come in. New Heights Finance packages your application and submits it to a suitable lender. Because the security is solid and the figures are confirmed by an attorney, approval is incredibly fast. Most of our clients who have their documentation in order see the funds in their account within 24 to 48 hours.
Step 4: Seamless Automatic Repayment
The best part of a property sale advance is that you don’t have to worry about making monthly repayments. When the property is finally registered, your conveyancer will settle the advance (the capital amount plus the agreed-upon interest and fees) directly with the lender from the sale proceeds. The remaining balance is then paid out to you. The entire process is handled by the attorneys, making it completely hassle-free.
Common Reasons to Get an Advance
Sellers choose to advance their proceeds for a variety of strategic reasons:
- Paying the Deposit on a New Home: This allows you to secure your next property quickly and confidently.
- Covering Transfer Costs: Pay for transfer duties and legal fees on your new purchase without stress.
- Settling Debt: Clear high-interest personal loans or credit cards the moment your sale is secure.
- Moving and Relocation Costs: Fund your move without impacting your day-to-day cash flow.
- Home Renovations: Start work on your new property before you even move in.
- Bridging a Personal Cash Flow Gap: Cover living expenses if you’re between jobs or waiting for the sale to conclude.
Am I Eligible for an Advance?
Eligibility for a Property Seller’s Proceeds advance is straightforward. The primary requirements are:
- You must be the legal owner and seller of the property.
- You must have a valid and unconditional Offer to Purchase.
- There must be sufficient net equity in the sale after settling all associated costs.
Because the advance is secured by the property’s equity, the decision is not typically dependent on your personal credit score or income level in the same way a traditional loan would be.
Don’t Let Delays Dictate Your Next Move
So, can you get an advance on your property sale? Yes. It’s a smart, efficient, and readily available solution that puts you back in control of your own money. The days of being at the mercy of the Deeds Office timeline are over. By leveraging the equity in your confirmed sale, you can bridge the financial gap and move forward with your plans without delay.
