Understanding Attorney Fees:
A Guide to Homebuying Costs

Navigating the costs of buying a home can feel overwhelming. Beyond the purchase price, there are legal fees, which are essential for a smooth and secure transaction. We've broken down what these fees are and what you need to know.
When you buy a property in South Africa, you'll typically encounter two main types of legal fees, payable by the buyer:

Transfer Fees

    • These are the costs associated with legally transferring the ownership of the property from the seller to you, the buyer. This involves two main components:
      • Transfer Attorney Fees: These are the professional fees charged by the attorneys for their legal services in preparing and lodging the transfer documents at the Deeds Office. They ensure the title deed is legally updated and transferred into your name.
      • Transfer Duty (to SARS): This is levied on the value of the property you are purchasing, payable directly to SARS, but invoiced and dealt with by the transfer attorney. Properties below R1 200 000 are exempt from transfer duty.

Bond Registration Fees

If you are taking out a home loan, a separate set of attorneys (appointed by your bank) will handle the legal process of registering the bond over your property in favour of the bank. This secures the bank's interest in the property.
Attorney Fees

When and How to Pay

These fees are  payable upfront, before the property transfer and bond registration can be finalized in the Deeds Office. The appointed attorneys will provide you with a detailed pro-forma statement outlining all the exact costs applicable to your transaction and payable to them.

Be Informed

As your bond originator, my role extends beyond just securing your home loan. I am here to guide you through all aspects of your home purchase, including navigating through these legal costs. I will provide you with a transparent estimate of all applicable attorney fees based on your specific property purchase and loan amount.  I can provide you with an estimate of all applicable transfer- and registration fees based on your specific property purchase and loan amount.

CAN MY ATTORNEY FEES BE INCLUDED IN MY LOAN AMOUNT?

As a first-time home buyer you might be eligible for a valuable option to help potentially include a big portion of your transfer- and bond 
registration fees directly into your home loan amount. This can significantly ease the initial financial burden of owning your first house.

Attorney fees

Ready to get a clear picture of your total home-buying costs?

Let's discuss your home loan options!

How This Option Works & 
Key Conditions

This cost-inclusive option is offered by most banks and comes 
with specific criteria.      

This special financing option is not a standard offer and is subject to specific bank conditions.  Here's what you need to know:

  • Varying Percentages: Banks typically allow a percentage of the purchase price to be included in your home loan for attorney fees. While most banks may consider including up to 5%, some may extend this to 10%, depending on the property's value.

  • Product Limits: This product may have a maximum value limit, regardless of the purchase price. We will advise you on the specific limits for the bank you are applying with.


  • First-Time Homeowner Status: Some banks may only require one of the applicants to be a first-time homeowner to qualify for this special consideration, making it more accessible to couples or families.

  • Your Responsibility: It is crucial to understand that if the actual total attorney and registration fees exceed the specific percentage approved by the bank for inclusion, you will be responsible for paying the remaining difference upfront before the property can be registered.


Our advice: While this option can be a significant help, we always recommend being prepared to cover these costs out of pocket, as approval for this product is not guaranteed and the included amount may not always cover all of your fees.


Terms and Conditions Apply

Attorney Fee Calculator