Planning to move out in 2024? Start planning now.

If you're writing your final university exams and/or planning to get your first job early in 2024, then you're heading into one of the most exciting times of your life! One of the steps that often go hand in hand with these milestones is moving out of your parents' home and getting a place of your own. The CSi Property Group takes a look at everything you'll need to think about before you sign your first lease.

Reasons to work through a reputable property practitioner

If you're looking for a place of your own and you've done some internet searches on the topic, chances are that your social media feeds are full of adverts for potential homes. Here's the most important fact about renting your first home: you should always rent through a legitimate property practitioner. Private rentals (such as a granny flat advertised online) are often not very secure and may also not come with a formal lease agreement - which is a must. When you're looking at online adverts, always remember the possibility that it could be a scam - if something looks too good to be true, it generally is.

Working with a property practitioner to find your first home may mean a slightly higher rental, but it also means that there's a buffer between you and your landlord if something goes wrong. Over and above this, it gives you peace of mind because you know that your lease is legitimate and that notice is required from both sides if you or your landlord should choose to terminate the contract.

Things to look for in your first home

The list of the top things to look for in your new home will vary according to your priorities. If you're on a tight budget, you'll likely look for the lowest possible rental. If you want to be close to work, you may look for a home in a specific area. Similarly, if you enjoy nightlife, you may look for a spot that's within a quick Uber ride of your favourite clubs and pubs. If you're into sports, you'll want to find a place that's fairly close to where you need to practice.

Once you've decided on your location, it's important to think about what's on your list of must-haves for your actual home. If you work from home, it's important to have a workspace set aside. This would ideally be a spare bedroom, but if you get creative, you could easily turn an area of your living room into a home office. At the same time, if you enjoy socialising and having friends over, then an entertainment area would work well for you. If you're living in a complex, make use of the communal braai and pool facilities.

Ways to save money when you're moving out

When you're just starting out, money is likely to be tight! One way to save money is to choose the location of your first home carefully. You want to be close to work, but also close to shops and places you enjoy visiting over weekends. On the flip side, it sometimes works better to look for a place in a more affordable area, which may be further out of town. It's important to think about your individual circumstances and what will work best for you. For example, if you work from home and have a car, it may be less important to live centrally than it would be if you worked from an office and relied on Uber to get around.

You can also save on the furniture and household items you need by buying secondhand. On Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, you'll often find great deals. Just remember to always be safe when buying stuff from people online.

Living alone or with housemates

Living with housemates may sound like an incredibly fun idea and for some people it can be, but you need to think carefully about this. Do you really enjoy having people around you all the time, or is it worth waiting a little longer until you can afford a place of your own? Another thing to consider is what happens if you have a falling out with your friend after you've signed a lease together. Given that you'll be cosigning for a monthly debt, your friend/s need to be people who you can rely on.

These are just a few of the things you'll need to think about before you sign the lease for your new home, and it can be an overwhelming process! The good news is that the CSi Property Group is here to help. We have an array of affordable rentals in every corner of Gauteng and our experienced team is waiting to help you find your first home.