Conclusion:

Nothing is more secure than registration of a property in your own name.  Nothing gives you greater estate planning protection than a trust.  Companies and close corporations can be very advantageous, particularly if you intend trading in the property.  The problem is however, to get the property into the company, close corporation or trust in the first place, as the transfer duty of 10% can be crippling. Apart from choosing to pay the 10% transfer duty, there is one opportunity, which should never be overlooked. That is, if you are buying a property from a registered VAT vendor (usually when you purchase property in an new development), no transfer duty is payable, as the purchase price includes VAT. If you find yourself in this situation, it is a one-off opportunity to decide how you wish to hold the property that you should capitalise on.

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