MyProperty News Feed

Tshwane property market a star performer

2011-01-26T12:50:46

Posted: 1/26/2011 12:50:46 PM

The property market in Tshwane has emerged from the past two years of uncertainty as one of the country’s strongest performers and is now firmly in recovery...
The property market in Tshwane has emerged from the past two years of uncertainty as one of the country’s strongest performers and is now firmly in recovery.

That’s the word from RealNet estate agency group MD Jan Davel, who notes that the averag...

Get serious about saving for a deposit

2011-01-26T12:48:01

Posted: 1/26/2011 12:48:01 PM

If you’ve already taken the big decision to stop renting and buy a home of your own this year...
If you’ve already taken the big decision to stop renting and buy a home of your own this year, the next thing you’ll need to work on is saving a deposit.

This is of course not easy, says Harcourts Africa CEO Richard Gray, but there are several wa...

SOLD – ON CHRISTMAS DAY

2011-01-24T14:21:03

Posted: 1/24/2011 2:21:03 PM

The holiday season from mid-December to mid-January is typically a time of slowdown in the property market, as sellers and buyers shift their focus to seasonal activities and many estate agents enjoy some time...
The holiday season from mid-December to mid-January is typically a time of slowdown in the property market, as sellers and buyers shift their focus to seasonal activities and many estate agents enjoy some time off with their families. However, Pam Goldi...

How to pick a great estate agent

2011-01-24T14:15:27

Posted: 1/24/2011 2:15:27 PM

Although sales activity in the property market has picked up recently, it is still at much lower...
Although sales activity in the property market has picked up recently, it is still at much lower levels than before the recession, making it all the more important for home sellers to pick a great estate agent to help them get their property sold.
<...

Make your estate more neighbourly

2011-01-21T16:13:15

Posted: 1/21/2011 4:13:15 PM

It’s awful to be on bad terms with your neighbours – and even worse if they are members of the same...
It’s awful to be on bad terms with your neighbours – and even worse if they are members of the same Home Owners’ Association as you, and you are expected to work together to run your gated community.

On the other hand, it’s not necessary to be be...

REPO RATE DECISION NOT SURPRISING, SAYS DR ANDREW GOLDING, CE OF THE PAM GOLDING PROPERTY GROUP

2011-01-20T15:53:17

Posted: 1/20/2011 3:53:17 PM

It was perhaps not surprising that the Monetary Policy Committee took the decision to hold the repo rate stable given recent more favourable economic indicators...
It was perhaps not surprising that the Monetary Policy Committee took the decision to hold the repo rate stable given recent more favourable economic indicators – including Fitch Ratings improved outlook for South Africa’s economy and a flat inflation figure,...

Unchanged Interest Rate Leaves Homes Market Static Says Leapfrog’s Ennik

2011-01-20T15:33:44

Posted: 1/20/2011 3:33:44 PM

While the decision by the SA Reserve Bank to hold interest rates unchanged is in line with the consensus among economists and home market analysts...

While the decision by the SA Reserve Bank to hold interest rates unchanged is in line with the consensus among economists an...

Auction Alliance claims largest auction ever in South Africa

2011-01-19T15:35:20

Posted: 1/19/2011 3:35:20 PM

Auction Alliance claims largest auction ever in South Africa for 2 liquidated shopping centres
Auction Alliance claims largest auction ever (in terms of R value) in South Africa for 2 liquidated shopping centres.

According to their Fac...

Jo’burg and PE most affordable cities for homebuyers

2011-01-14T10:29:27

Posted: 1/14/2011 10:29:27 AM

Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg currently appear to be the best SA cities in which to buy a home, according to the latest housing and salary statistics...
Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg currently appear to be the best SA cities in which to buy a home, according to the latest housing and salary statistics - for the simple reason that they offer the best affordability.

“And this does not mean that p...

A new idea to help property market recover

2011-01-13T11:42:34

Posted: 1/13/2011 11:42:34 AM

Recovery in the residential property market would happen a lot faster if lenders were more willing to share risk with distressed homeowners...
Recovery in the residential property market would happen a lot faster if lenders were more willing to share risk with distressed homeowners.

So says Sandy Geffen, a director of Sotheby’s International Realty in South Africa, who notes that there ...

Chas Everitt anticipates South Coast recovery with new office

2011-01-13T11:41:35

Posted: 1/13/2011 11:41:35 AM

The Chas Everitt International property group has expanded its presence on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast with the opening of a new office in Shelley Beach...
The Chas Everitt International property group has expanded its presence on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast with the opening of a new office in Shelley Beach.

Located in the South Coast Mall, the new office is there to serve homebuyers and sellers a...

Give beetles the brush-off before you list your home

2011-01-12T09:42:53

Posted: 1/12/2011 9:42:53 AM

You may think that borer beetles are boring, but if you want to sell a house at the coast, you’ll need to pay them some attention...
You may think that borer beetles are boring, but if you want to sell a house at the coast, you’ll need to pay them some attention.

In the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and increasingly in the Eastern Cape too, home sellers are generally require...

Why not make next year the year of the “green” office?

2011-01-12T09:41:08

Posted: 1/12/2011 9:41:08 AM

Many homeowners are already implementing green measures to help protect the environment and, says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group...

Why not make next year the year of the “green” office?

Many homeowners are already implementing green measures to help protect the environment and, says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, it’s relatively simpl...

Wider scope now to transfer your property tax-free

2011-01-11T08:14:51

Posted: 1/11/2011 8:14:51 AM

Recent changes to tax legislation mean that even more people can now take advantage of the opportunity to transfer properties that are currently owned by companies...
Recent changes to tax legislation mean that even more people can now take advantage of the opportunity to transfer properties that are currently owned by companies, close corporations and trusts into their own names, without incurring any secondary tax on com...

Slow burn for property in 2011 as buyers put price first

2011-01-07T08:00:00

Posted: 1/7/2011 8:00:00 AM

The residential property market has several factors in its favour going into 2011, including exceptionally low interest rates, slower-than-expected consumer price inflation...
The residential property market has several factors in its favour going into 2011, including exceptionally low interest rates, slower-than-expected consumer price inflation and decreasing levels of household debt.

“However,” says Jan Davel, MD of...

Low maintenance and less traffic the lures for big ticket buyers

2011-01-07T07:58:40

Posted: 1/7/2011 7:58:40 AM

The average home sale price in Johannesburg is now around 5% above the national average – and it’s mostly because volumes have picked up at the upper end of the market...
The average home sale price in Johannesburg is now around 5% above the national average – and it’s mostly because volumes have picked up at the upper end of the market.

So says Lew Geffen, chairman of Sotheby’s International Realty in SA, who is ...

TOP 5 TIPS ON DEALING WITH AN UNEXPECTED OFFER TO PURCHASE

2011-01-07T07:56:44

Posted: 1/7/2011 7:56:44 AM

For a property owner who had not envisaged selling his/her property, an unexpected offer to purchase may be well worth considering. Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa...
For a property owner who had not envisaged selling his/her property, an unexpected offer to purchase may be well worth considering. Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares his top five tips on how to deal with such an offer in a safe and effic...

DOWNSIZING STRATEGY FOR RETIREMENT

2011-01-05T14:05:07

Posted: 1/5/2011 2:05:07 PM

Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa highlights some of the aspects retirees should consider before they downsize to a smaller property

There are numerous lifestyle benefits to downsizing from a large, free standing, full title suburban property to a smaller home such as a sectional title unit in a secure complex or a retirement estate. “Aside from the fact that a sma...

Low maintenance and less traffic the lures for big ticket buyers

2011-01-05T13:37:56

Posted: 1/5/2011 1:37:56 PM

The average home sale price in Johannesburg is now around 5% above the national average – and it’s mostly because volumes have picked up at the upper end of the market.

So says Lew Geffen, chairman of Sotheby’s International Realty in SA, who is “very bullish” about the prospects in 2011 for the market sector in which his company operates, where the average sale price is around R2,5m.

“However,” says Jan Davel, MD of the RealNet estate agency group, “no-one should be expecting any fireworks, because there is still a large stock surplus to be absorbed while economic growth and job creation are still sluggi...

A better property year to come says Everitt

2011-01-05T08:50:32

Posted: 1/5/2011 8:50:32 AM

The residential property market is now in much better shape than it was 12 months ago and set to recover even more over the next year.

So says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, who notes that with interest rates now at a 30-year low, it can be expected that home price growth, which has slowed somewhat in recent months, will pick...

- THE PROPERTY CYCLE - Just where exactly are we?

2011-01-04T15:44:27

Posted: 1/4/2011 3:44:27 PM

As 2010 draws to a close, Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, takes a look at where South Africa’s property market is in the property cycle and what this means for homebuyers and sellers

Cycles, a well-known phenomena in the world of economics, are evident in all economic sectors, including the property market. These cycles are predictable long-term patterns that can be divided into three distinct stages k...

TOP PROPERTY TRENDS FOR 2011

2011-01-04T15:22:24

Posted: 1/4/2011 3:22:24 PM

Peter Gilmour, Chairman of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, gives insight into the property market and its expected trends for the year ahead Peter Gilmour, Chairman of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, believes that 2011 will mark the beginning of accelerated BEE transformation in the real estate industry, which has to date, lagged behind other sectors. Gilmour says that BEE initiatives will be spearheaded by some industry leaders and will pave the way for new entrepreneurs to be attracted to the industry: “These new and young business people will no doubt add youth, energy and enthusiasm to an industry which is ageing.”

Overall he believes that the South African property market and the economy as a whole will largely be governed by external forces over the next 12 months. These include the move towards...

Tips and advice on choosing a tenant

2011-01-04T15:11:23

Posted: 1/4/2011 3:11:23 PM

Leasing a property can be a mutually beneficial association between a landlord and a tenant, if the landlord adheres to a few basic principles right from the start and without fail throughout the lease period, says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa. Choosing the right tenant to occupy your investment can be a complex process as a result of the legislation in South Africa. There are, however, ways in which landlords can protect themselves against the risk of rogue tenants, but it is up to the landlord to implement these measures,” notes Goslett.

Firstly, every prospective tenant should be thoroughly screened even before they view the property. “When advertising the property for rent, the landlord should be specific regarding the conditions of the rental agreement ...

COUNTRY LIVING IN VIBRANT HUB OF BREEDE RIVER VALLEY

2011-01-04T15:08:59

Posted: 1/4/2011 3:08:59 PM

PGP establishes presence in regional hub of Worcester Located just one hour’s drive from Cape Town, amid some of the most spectacular mountain scenery and acclaimed wineries in the Western Cape, the town of Worcester is the largest in the province’s interior region. A major employer and the administrative capital of the Breede Valley municipality, the town and its satellite communities have a permanent population of over 135 000 people – and the number is growing steadily. It is also increasing in popularity as a getaway for Cape Town residents, resulting in a rise in demand for weekend cottages and holiday homes. Pam Golding Properties has recently established a permanent presence in the town, appointing two new agents to service Worcester itself as well as the surrounding communities of Rawsonville, the Hex River Valley, De Doorns and Touws River.

PGP’s MD for the Boland and Overberg regions, Annien Borg, says it was timeous that the company should have a full-time presence in Worcester. “This is such an impo...

TAILS WAG AS PGP SHARES JOY OF GIVING WITH ANIMAL WELFARE

2011-01-04T14:59:11

Posted: 1/4/2011 2:59:11 PM

Staff and friends of Pam Golding Properties have once again opened their hearts and wallets in support of the company’s Corporate Social Investment programme, “Joy of Giving”. The latest beneficiary is Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS), which was selected by staff at PGP’s Stellenbosch office as their charity of choice for the year. They rallied clients, friends, associates and other local businesses to help build quarantine kennels at the AWSS, to house sick animals brought to the shelter. By keeping these animals separate from their healthier furry friends, the risk of cross-infection and unnecessary deaths is dramatically reduced. The new kennels were officially opened at a function held at AWSS on Thursday 9 December 2010.

PGP’s area manager for Stellenbosch, Louise Varga, says her team worked on the project for almost a full year, managing to raise R26 000 in cash as well as substantial supplies of building materials n...

WESTERN SEABOARD RESIDENTS COUNT THE MONTHS TO BRT OPENING

2011-01-04T14:56:34

Posted: 1/4/2011 2:56:34 PM

Residents of Cape Town’s Western Seaboard are eagerly awaiting the opening of the next BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) route which will link the Central City with the Table View area. The highly-anticipated transport link is now just a matter of months away, with its new red bus lanes and numerous embarkation stations already in place. As the finishing touches are finalised, city officials say the system is likely to be up and running in early 2011. Pam Golding Properties predicts that the opening of the BRT route will have a positive impact on the local property market, as it will open up new options for those who need to commute into town for work.

“The satellite areas around Bloubergstrand, including suburbs like West Beach, Blouberg Rise and Blouberg Sands, offer some of the best value for money in all of Cape Town,” says PGP’s area manager Ivan Swart. ...

Just a little lending unlocks whole Midrand market

2011-01-04T14:55:01

Posted: 1/4/2011 2:55:01 PM

A two-year logjam in the Midrand property market has at last been unblocked, and sales are now not only on the move again, but rapidly gaining momentum.

So says Julie Davison-White, co-owner of the high-profile Aida Midrand franchise, who notes that the vital key to this shift is bank lending to first-time buyers to acquire homes priced at around R350 000 in areas such as Tembisa, Kaalfontein, Ivory Park and Ebo...

REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT IN AN EXISTING BUILDING

2011-01-04T14:47:26

Posted: 1/4/2011 2:47:26 PM

As a result of the ever increasing consumption of goods, the planet is experiencing considerable strain as a result of dwindling resources, climate change and polluted air – all of which simply has to be addressed through a culture of reducing our carbon footprint, says Rudolf Nieman, projects director for JHI property services group.

“In the property industry, statistics indicate that a building - through its life cycle - is a significant consumer of natural resources and that existing buildings may account for up to 85 percent of the environmental impact ...

THE RIGHT PRICE WILL EXPEDITE A SALE

2011-01-04T14:44:39

Posted: 1/4/2011 2:44:39 PM

Peter Gilmour, Chairman of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, takes a look at recent trends in asking prices set by sellers in the global property market and concludes that getting the pricing right is becoming an art that demands extensive experience and expertise…

In South Africa, estate agents participating in the most recent FNB Estate Agent Survey revealed that the percentage of sellers having to drop their asking prices remained unchanged fro...

HALF THE APARTMENTS SOLD IN NEW DEVELOPMENT IN ILALA RIDGE, UMHLANGA

2011-01-04T14:42:51

Posted: 1/4/2011 2:42:51 PM

Sixteen of the total of 33 units in the first two phases of a brand new development in Ilala Ridge in La Lucia Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal, have been sold by Pam Golding Properties, with a further sale currently under negotiation, reports Elwyn Schenk, Pam Golding Properties area principal in Umhlanga and Umdloti.

“The fact that these sales in ‘Bahia Club’ have been concluded in recent months at a time when the property is still in the early stages of recovery is indicative of the high desirability of Ilala Ridge, which has become well established as a hav...

How to achieve a faster sale in relocation season

2011-01-04T14:36:07

Posted: 1/4/2011 2:36:07 PM

At this time of the year, many people are planning to relocate, some in order to be closer to a new job, some to be closer to the school they want their children to attend and some to be closer to other family members.

“But in order to make the move,” says Harcourts Africa CEO Richard Gray, “most of them are first going to have to sell their existing home – preferably in a quick and clean transaction.

...

Signs of a positive 2011 in Plett property market

2011-01-04T12:43:05

Posted: 1/4/2011 12:43:05 PM

The property market in Plettenberg Bay, SA’s most sought-after holiday destination, is now in much better shape than it was 12 months ago, and sales are expected to turn and increase this year.

So says John Fuller, owner of the Chas Everitt International franchise in Plettenberg Bay, who notes that the substantial reduction in demand for coastal properties over the past three years has now generated a positive spin-off for...

1000 more agents get new qualifications

2010-12-08T15:21:02

Posted: 12/8/2010 3:21:02 PM

Another 1000 estate agents from 100 different companies around the country have just graduated from Ditasa...

Another 1000 estate agents from 100 different companies around the country have just graduated from Ditasa - the Development Institute and Training Academy of Southern Africa – with their new NQF level 4 and 5 qualifications.

This brings the n...