In depth · Property
Buying property in Cape Town: the steps for buyers
The official steps for buying a home in Cape Town. It is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Updated October 2026
The offer to purchase
A sale begins with a written offer to purchase. Once both sides sign it, it is binding: have your own attorney read it before you sign.
Conveyancing and the Deeds Office
A conveyancing attorney prepares the transfer and registers it at the Deeds Office; only then does ownership pass.
Transfer duty
Transfer duty is set and collected by the South African Revenue Service (sars.gov.za); your conveyancer arranges payment.
Registered agents
Estate agents (property practitioners) must be registered with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority. Ask to see the agent’s certificate.
Living in South Africa
Visas and residence are handled by the Department of Home Affairs (dha.gov.za). Buying a home does not by itself give the right to live in South Africa.
Where people live
See our property guide for Clifton and Bantry Bay, Camps Bay, Sea Point and Fresnaye, the City Bowl, Constantia and Bishopscourt, the V&A Marina and the Winelands. We don’t publish prices or yields.
Questions and answers
Can foreigners buy property in South Africa?
Ask a South African conveyancing attorney about your own case; visas and residence are handled separately by Home Affairs.
Does buying property give me residence in South Africa?
Not by itself. Check the current rules with the Department of Home Affairs (dha.gov.za).
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm every step with a South African conveyancing attorney.