Sectional Title VS Full Title: What's the deal?

Sectional Title vs Full Title in Real Estate

What's the deal with sectional title vs full title? If you're new to real estate jargon, you might never have heard of these terms before. We explain what they mean and the differences.

What is Sectional Title Ownership?
Remember the film "Duplex" with Drew Barrymore? It tells the story of a newlywed couple who moved into a duplex home and their never-ending struggles with an upstairs neighbour. This is a classic illustration of sectional property ownership.
Sectional title refers to the ownership of sections or units of a property development, i.e., separate ownership. Although sectional title entails sole ownership of a specific section of the property, it also results in joint ownership of the property as a whole. It's usually more affordable and an easier way to enter the market.
It's managed by all of the separate owners in a complex, collective forming a Body Corporate, often governed by Trustees, who are responsible for all maintenance.

What is Full Title Ownership?
Full Title (or Freehold Ownership) is a more traditional form of property ownership and refers to full ownership. Naturally, this type of free-standing house ownership is more expensive.
It also means that the owner is solely responsible for paying bills and the upkeep of the property, be it a building or a piece of land.

Which is Better: Sectional or Full Title?
The answer is entirely dependent upon the prospective owner such as their tastes, family size and finances.
Sectional title is often more affordable than full title properties, including townhouses in a complex, apartments, granny flats, duplex houses, and semi-detached homes. Freedom is limited when it comes to renovation, but from a security standpoint, acquiring sectional ownership of a property may be a safer option, as complexes generally offer outstanding security services.
Full title properties may include free-standing houses, cluster homes and other smallholdings, usually with a heavier price tag than sectional title properties. However, as sole owner of the property, you're granted the freedom to live as you see fit, all within reason.

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