Here are the basics of home staging:

1. Create that fantastic first impression
Your ability to generate interest in your home is based on how well you can create a first impression. Clean up your front door and front entrance area. If the curb-facing side of your house looks a bit faded or the paint is cracking, invest in repainting this area (or even the whole of the outside of your home). A coat of paint can work wonders in making your house seem brand-new.

2. Convince the buyer he already lives there
Staging your home means arranging the rooms in a way that the potential buyers can envisage themselves living there. That means putting away all of your trinkets and baubles, rearranging your furniture to open up the rooms and create the impression of space, and establishing a neutral space in which the potential buyers can “feel” how comfortable they would be. Put yourself in a potential buyer’s shoes.

3. Clean, clean, clean
Even if you don’t have the time or money for a new coat of paint, you need to spend a lot of time getting into all the corners of every room and ensuring that every surface is sparkling clean. Clean the windows and tiles, and get the carpets steam-cleaned. Ensure that there are no odours. If your garden isn’t already in an immaculate condition, get a garden maintenance company in to mow the lawn, straighten the beds, weed the garden, and ensure your garden is as inviting as the inside of your home.

Visuals courtesy of: toledoblade.com and i.ytimg.com

Whether you’re building a new home from scratch or you’re redecorating an older fixer-upper, you can save costs and benefit greatly from using professional decorating techniques. When looking for houses for sale in Durban , you probably already have an idea of how you want to redo the décor, but unless you see something visual, you may not be able to bring those ideas into fruition. This is why a mood board will come in handy.

What is a mood board?
A mood board is a collection of inspirational items – from magazine cut-outs to paint swatches and fabric samples. The compilation of this mood board will help you to visualise your conceptual ideas to validate whether they will really work or if they only looked good in your imagination.

How to “do” a mood board
Collect pictures from magazines and online portfolios – pictures that reflect the things you like and in colours and hues that appeal to you. These don’t only need to be pictures of interior design and décor, but fashion, food, and human emotive portraits. You will get an overall feel of the colours, things, and textures that appeal to you, which will help to influence the colours and textures you choose for your interior design.

What’s next?
Once you have a better idea of the colours and textures that work for you, go to textile shops and collect samples and swatches of paint, flooring, fabric, tiles, and other finishes that could all work together to complete your interior design.

A mood board allows you to narrow down what you like into what’s practical, beautiful, and affordable with which to decorate your home.

Visuals courtesy of: theguardian.com and ythornton.com

Deciding on a Country
Will you be buying the property as a holiday home? If so, you may want to consider exotic locations such as the Caribbean, Thailand or Hawaii. But, if you’re looking to relocate yourself and your family, you’ll need to consider schooling and languages and may choose to move the UK, Canada, New Zealand, or any other English speaking country.

Choosing a Property
Buying a property overseas is a pretty complex exercise but the most common properties international buyers go for are houses which have been repossessed by banks due to financial defaulting on bond repayments. Start by looking for banks in the country your looking to buy in and request a list of their repossessed homes.

International Laws
Make absolutely certain you know your way around the laws that govern property ownership by foreigners in the country you’re going to buy in. You will need to take legal advice from a lawyer who is fluent in international property law or the laws of the country in which you intend to buy your new home. There are always tax implications, transaction costs, stamp duty and citizenry laws to consider, which a good lawyer will be able to advise on.

Visual Courtesy of:money.cnn.com

Define the Space
Mark out the space you are going to use for your new office and add to it if you need to and if you can, depending on what specific uses you will be putting the office space to.

Have a Definite Separation
Make sure that your office is clearly defined and separated from the rest of your home so that at the end of the day, you are able to leave that space and enter your ‘unwind and relax’ space.

Go Easy on the Furniture

Get the essentials right. A desk and ergonomic chair are a good place to start but packing the room from floor to ceiling with all manner of bulky furniture you won’t use is going to draw the space in and make it feel small and cramped.

Do a general clean and paint, remove any junk from the space, and once you make a place for everything, keep everything in its place, and your office will soon feel like the efficient space it should be.

Visual Courtesy of:  home-designing.com

KwaZulu Natal Sharks Board
KZNSB offers public boat tours, an opportunity to glimpse bird and sea life, followed by fascinating shark dissections at their headquarters.

The Barnyard Theatre Gateway
Now popular across the country, The Barnyard Theatre offers patrons great meals and a wide variety of entertainment.

Wave House
A sport park with waves, flow riders, a skate park and a restaurant at which to top up after hours of energy sapping fun.

Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom
An entertainment complex including casino, hotels, spa, restaurants, theatre and more, all in a breath-taking setting.

Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve
A popular trail for lovers of nature and walks through coastal forests spanning the Ohlange River. Spot animals, birds, insects and plants.

Ocean Blue Scuba
Authorised PADI dive centre that takes divers to gorgeous reefs and forgotten wrecks.

Umhlanga Beach
The warm waters of the Indian Ocean encased by a sandy beach are always inviting.

Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Trail
Trail visitors discover the natural heritage of the region as they traverse the Ohlange River close to the lagoon.

La Lucia Mall
A luxury mall that houses national and international retail favourites.

Umhlanga Ponds
A wetland and coastal forest bird haven and undisputed best bird watching site on the Indian Ocean coast.

Hawaan Forest
A woodland sanctuary that offers limited guided walks.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping
One of the biggest malls in the southern hemisphere, it boasts a climbing wall, wave machine and 380 stores.

Umhlanga Lighthouse
A famous landmark that shook consciences when it was covered in a condom to create awareness on World Aids Day.

Visual Courtesy of: savenues.com and umhlangatourism.co.za

Eshowe was first established when Cetshwayo a Zulu prince built a kraal in 1860. A year later saw the establishment of a mission station in the area thanks to Reverend Ommund Ofterbro who was a Norwegian missionary. The name of the station was later changed to KwaMondi Mission Station; this name is derived from “Mondi” a name which was given to Ofterbro by the Zulu people. In 1879 things took a turn for the worst when the Anglo-Zulu War between the Zulu Army and Colonel Charles Pearson’s column who fought the British to the KwaMondi Mission took place.

The mission was used, fortified and later called Fort Eshowe. The fort grew into a town, the war ended and the establishment of the capital of Zululand came to be. In 1891 the town was declared a township and in 1947, the town had its first British Royal Family visit. Today the Zulu town stands tall and proud full of heritage and home to a number of forests. Eshowe has one major hospital, a bus station, shopping centres and tons of schools.

Eshowe was the first place to see the first Black Diocesan Bishops in SA. Attractions include the Goedetrouw Public Resort, Entumi Nature Reserve, Dlinza Forest and the Ocean View Game Park. The town also boasts a number of great investment opportunities for those that are looking for houses for sale in Durban.

Visual Courtesy of: kwazulu-natal.co.za

1.    The Ocean

If you’re a surfer, then you’re going to love surfing in Durban. There’s waves and warm water which make it the ideal spot for such an outdoor activity. The view of the sunrise is beautiful and seeing the dolphins always puts a smile on any face. Plus swimming in the ocean is always an adventure.

2.    The People

If you’re a constant traveller, then you’ve probably learned that it’s the people that make a place stand out. If you find yourself in the most perfect holiday spot but only fail to connect with the people, you’re wasting your time. Durban people are warm and very friendly a quality most people lack in.

3.    Lifestyle

Known as SA’s playing ground; Durban is also a perfect party spot. The Golden Mile is constantly buzzing with swimmers, runners, surfers, cyclers and paddlers. The area promotes an active and healthy lifestyle.

4.    The lack of traffic

Just like most cities there is traffic but it seldom happens. Most Durban people don’t experience heavy traffic.

5.    Surrounding

Durban has a number of hidden gems just waiting to be explored. Visitors can look forward to world heritage sites, game reserves, mountains and amazing coastlines.

6.    Diversity

Durban personifies diversity. The city is bursting with people from all walks of life.

7.    Africanness

South Africa offers a vibe like no other. Just like any other country we’re not perfect; however we have our own “thing” if not flavour. It’s what makes us stand out as a country.

8.    Poverty

The sight of poverty breaks any heart. However, seeing it constantly is a reminder of how grateful one needs to be. One can always make a difference in someone’s life.  

9.   The Women

Durban has some of the most stunning women. These women are intelligent, sexy, empowered, forward thinkers and have curves in all the right places.

10. The Church

Durban has a variety of churches. These churches are different from each other, but they all share a common goal which is to fight poverty

visuals are courtesy of : goafrica.about.com and quicklinks.schipholtickets.nl

In the district close to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is a small gem of a town called Wartburg – a little German hamlet in the heart of Zululand. It’s situated about 40 km north east of Pietermaritzburg and Camperdown, and 50 km south of Greytown. The area is clean and neat, where the main industry is an offshoot of the sugar cane and timber plantations, and the surrounding agricultural land.

Wartburg was named as such after its German heritage, when German settler families arrived in the area in 1850 and named their settlement after Wartburg Castle in the German town of Eisenach.

A little history on Wartburg Castle

Wartburg Castle is a magnificent structure that sits atop a 410 m precipice and overlooks Eisenach – it’s a World Heritage Site, which has stood the test of time, having been built in the 11th century. Legend has it that the castle got its name from its founder’s first exclamation of the mountain when he saw it for the first time, saying, “Warte, Berg – du sollst mir eine Burg tragen!” – which, directly translated, means, “Wait, mountain – you shall bear a castle for me!” It’s also a play on words of the German for mountain (berg) and fortress (burg), and has had a role in the militarisation of the area throughout the centuries.The real historical significance of Wartburg Castle lies in the fact that from 1521 to 1522, Martin Luther resided in the castle for safety reasons after his excommunication from the Catholic Church. It was here that he translated the New Testament into German.

Wartburg: Quaint and quiet

Even though the German settlers arrived in Wartberg in 1850, their heritage has remained in the area and it’s not uncommon to still encounter pockets of German speakers here and around the area in KwaZulu-Natal. Wartburg also doesn’t stand alone – there are other villages of German origin in this part of KZN, which include New Hanover, Harburg, Lillienthal, Kirchdorf, Hermannsburg, and Schroeders, all bearing testament to the heritage of the Midlands.Whether you’re needing an extended stay, a break away from it all, or a business residence, Wartburg houses to rent are family-sized, and highly affordable. However, in a town of under 3 square kilometres in size, there aren’t many lettable properties and as such, you may encounter demand for property in this quaint little village.

visuals are courtesy of : tripadvisor.com and blogspot.com 

1. Why should I buy real estate?
2. What will be the end result of this particular property?
We look at some pros and cons of investing in holiday properties:

• Ensure you purchase in a prime location
Always choose a prime location that offers beach views. This includes the ‘must haves’ such as shopping centres, cafes, restaurants and tourist hotspots. Some holiday investment properties tend to have a low occupancy rate and no investor wants to suffer because of this. Buy property in a city or town that has major infrastructure.

• Understand how holiday rental work
In a number of prime spots the average period of high demand for holiday rentals is 6 to 10 weeks a year. Rental returns can fluctuate extensively for holiday homes; this depends on the time of year. Holiday properties are far more in demand in humid locations, but this applies for key properties. Things such as sea views and proximity to the beach are major factors that contribute to the success of your holiday flat to rent in Durban.

• Choose self-contained
A number of holiday apartments were initially built for short-term renting and thus have smaller rooms. Smaller apartments have a bigger rental return on the selling price however investors should consider a self-contained apartment. This includes a separate kitchen, bathroom laundry, bedrooms and larger rooms. This type of apartment offers you more capital growth and this allows you the owner the option of moving in at a later stage should you wish to live near the beach.

Visual Courtesy of : safarinow.com

The relaxing vibe of Pinetown, just outside its boisterous big brother, Durban, may be in part due to the laid back influence of the sea, a gentle onshore breeze, or because of the Marianhill Monastery. Local residents in the area will appreciate the history and the sense of serenity contributed to Pinetown by the monastery, which lies on the outskirts of Pinetown near Marianhill Park.

A visit to the Marianhill Monastery

If you’re new to the area and looking at Pinetown houses for sale, do yourself a favour and stop at the Marianhill Monastery for tea or lunch. You may just make up your mind about relocating here. The Trappist monks in the late 1800’s were responsible for the establishment of the Monastery, under Abbot Francis Pfanner. These contemplative monks embraced the concept of prayer and labour, which today provides a space for visitors to enjoy the history of the monastery in the Monastery Museum, as well as enjoy an organic meal or drink in the tea garden. The organic produce includes dairy delicacies like cheese, milk, and yoghurt, which can be savoured in the beautiful shady garden, with the soft chanting of the monks providing the perfect soundtrack to your relaxation.

What to expect

The recognisable architecture at the monastery gate at 1 Abbot Francis Road, will lead you into the monastery grounds and towards the cathedral. Inside, look up at the ceiling to appreciate the beauty of the frescos and the light streaming in through the custom-made stained glass windows. Visitors will undoubtedly go into the same quiet, contemplative space that inspired the building of the Marianhill Monastery in the first place.

Visuals courtesy of: mariannhillmonastery.org.za