 We talk about buying a house which is of course a very big investment but it's also a place to raise a family to create memories or just kick back and relax. Now as a South African home loan provider, Netbank will help you with the home loan process and of course secure a bond at a competitive interest rate. Buying your home usually means getting a home loan. Today we have our financial expert LaPoy from Netbank Home Loans to take us through the process in detail and of doing the home loan application. Now LaPoy, when it comes to thinking of a home loan, it's overwhelming. Where does one start? So Zoe, I always think start as far as where would you like to live. Once you understand where you want to live then it becomes easier for you to determine whether you can afford it or not. Apart from affordability, I would also suggest that viewers would look at their credit profile with the Bureau. So Netbank has an instant bond indicator that does both an affordability and a credit check online and it gives you a real-time response as far as how much you would qualify for. I think that's the best starting point. I think once you know how much you qualify is then when you can start looking at the different types of homes you want but in order to apply for your home loan what are some of the various steps one needs to take? Once you've found that perfect home and you've signed the offer to purchase with the seller then all you need to do is to go online, fill in the online application form with your personal details as well as the property that you're buying and then it also allows you to upload certain documents. So specifically things like your payslip or your salary advice, the offer to purchase as well as sometimes any bank statements that you might require. And is there any pitfalls we need to look out for when applying for a home loan? If you have done the appropriate research so you've done your credit profile check, you've checked your affordability, you've drawn up your expenses every month then you can avoid some of the pitfalls around not being able to manage that home loan installment quite well. After moving into the home some of the things that might trip you up if you aren't prepared are things like the additional costs associated with living in your own home, things like rates and taxes every month or you know maintenance of a home that sometimes when you're renting doesn't really come into play. Those are some of the things that viewers need to be mindful of and budget accordingly for. How important is it to have a deposit when you go and apply for a home loan? I'm so glad you asked Zoe, I think it's quite important because it also shows your willingness as a buyer to the bank that you are part of this transaction with them. So saving for a deposit is quite important. I would consider looking at saving every month before you actually look for your dream home so that when it comes time to applying for your bond the bank can see that you have gone the extra mile to actually save for that home. Thank you so much for that great advice and you can also go and ask your bank or home loan sales consultant to assist when trying to get your home loan so that they can help you through the entire process and make life a little easier. Now visit www.privateproperty.co.za for more details and helpful resources. Whether it's your first apartment in the city, a trendy suburban townhouse or that dream family home on a gulf estate, there's a home for everyone on private property.