Business

Takealot’s Home Loan Hub Brings Banks to Your Online Cart

Published

2 weeks ago

August 22, 2025

Chiraag

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From checkout to property finance

Takealot, South Africa’s biggest online retailer, has surprised many by stepping into the property market. The company, best known for delivering everything from books to fridges, has launched a Home Loan Hub in partnership with MortgageMarket.

Through the platform, South Africans can compare home loan offers from major banks using a single digital application. True to Takealot’s brand of simplicity, the company described it as “like adding a home loan to your cart.”

A faster, simpler process

Traditionally, applying for a home loan meant approaching each bank individually, preparing stacks of paperwork, and waiting weeks for feedback. Takealot’s hub aims to streamline this by letting users create one profile and submit documents electronically.

The pre-approval stage is quick. Applicants receive an affordability estimate after a soft credit check through Experian, which does not affect credit scores. From there, they can upload key documents such as ID or passport, payslips, and three months of bank statements. If they already have an Offer to Purchase, it can be added, but the tool works even without one.

Takealot says if all documents are ready, the process can take under 30 minutes. Loan offers from participating banks then appear within 72 hours on the user’s dashboard.

Which banks are involved

Seven financial institutions are part of the launch: Absa, FNB, Housing Investment Partners, Investec, RMB, and Standard Bank. Each sets its own terms, interest rates, and benefits. The hub’s dashboard allows side-by-side comparisons, making it easier for applicants to see which deal best suits their budget and goals.

Once a user selects an offer, the relevant bank is notified directly and follows up to finalise the bond registration.

Incentives to attract buyers

To give the hub a strong start, Takealot is offering vouchers worth up to R20,000 to successful applicants who register a bond via the platform. The voucher amount depends on the bond size and is awarded to the main applicant listed on the Offer to Purchase.

This incentive has already caught attention on social media. Some South Africans reacted with humour, joking about “shopping for a house like headphones.” Others welcomed the convenience, saying that simplifying the home loan process could encourage more first-time buyers to take the leap.

Why this matters for South Africans

Property ownership remains one of the biggest milestones and financial challenges for South Africans. Rising living costs and high interest rates have left many buyers cautious, while the traditional loan application process often feels intimidating.

Takealot’s move speaks to a larger trend: digital platforms expanding into lifestyle services. By positioning itself not just as a retailer but as a facilitator of financial access, Takealot is trying to tap into the frustrations of modern buyers who value speed and transparency.

For younger, tech-savvy consumers, the ability to manage applications online without endless trips to banks is a major shift. And for banks, the hub provides a new channel to reach customers directly.

What buyers should keep in mind

While the hub makes comparisons easier, it does not control interest rates or lending terms. Those remain the responsibility of the banks. Applicants must still ensure they can afford repayments, review the fine print, and seek advice if necessary.

All uploaded documents must be clear and in digital formats such as PDF, DOC, PNG, or JPEG. Bank statements must cover three consecutive months. Takealot provides a dedicated help page, but for more complex financial queries, users are directed to MortgageMarket.

A new chapter for e-commerce in South Africa

By branching into property finance, Takealot is showing how far e-commerce can stretch in South Africa. The Home Loan Hub is more than just a new product; it reflects the growing demand for digital tools that simplify complicated parts of life.

Whether this platform becomes a permanent fixture in the property market remains to be seen, but it has already started a conversation: if you can buy almost everything online, why not start your journey to homeownership too?