1. “Don’t worry, its a standard form agreement”
There is no such thing as a standard form agreement...
2. “We don’t need to write that down, we have agreed.”
Leave nothing unwritten. Any fact relied on by you must be in the agreement...
3. “This is just an offer. We can confirm later by email…”
Property deals in South Africa must be in writing and signed by both parties...
4. “These are the important clauses”
Every clause is important. Read the whole document; every word...
5. “The property is in perfect nick”
What is this "voetstoots"? If the property is sold voetstoots, the buyer buys the property with all its defects.
6. “The agreement is signed so the deal is done”
The agreement is not final if it is subject to "suspensive conditions", sometimes called "conditions precedent"...
7. Mutatis mutandis and all that stuff
Get rid of the legalese you don't understand. Just use plain, clear language...