What does ‘total once-off cost’ mean?

A once-off cost refers to the fees pertaining to the home loan that you will only need to pay once, as opposed to the home loan and interest which is paid monthly.

Such once-off fees include bond registration, transfer costs, and transfer duty.

Bond registration is paid to the attorney hired by the bank to register the bond in your name.

Transfer costs are paid to the conveyancing attorney who transfers the bond from the previous owner to you.

Transfer duty is a tax on the transfer costs, paid to SARS. Homes that cost below R1 100 000 are exempt.

All these costs are fixed, with the rate dependent on the cost of the home loan.