With everyone’s eyes fixed on 2010 and the world cup, some may have forgotten about 2009. Many economists are predicting the tough market conditions will continue well into next year even though the first rate cut is expected in December 2008. Developing economies such as South Africa will continue to suffer the impact of the global recession, which means 2009 starts with local markets already on the back foot...

You make money when you buy property, not when you sell it – and this will be the summer when shrewd property investors make money.

That’s the confident prediction of Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group, who says that with property prices predicted to rise between 50 and 60 percent over the next three years, it will be those that buy now who reap the highest rewards...

When it comes to accepting an offer to purchase, property sellers would do well now to be just as picky as buyers usually are when house hunting.

This advice comes from Tjaart van der Walt, CEO of the RealNet property group, who says that when the property market is under pressure many sellers are so pleased to receive any offer to purchase that they take all comers...

The conditions in the SA residential property market, warns Tony Clarke, MD of Rawson Properties, have made some of the less successful agents desperate – and this, he says, can be dangerous for sellers.

Clarke said that he is now regularly approached for advice from property sellers who accuse their agents of acting unethically. (Fortunately, he added, these complaints almost never relate to agents in the Rawson Group.)

Reacting to the current lower prices of residential properties, many owners on the Atlantic Seaboard have this year changed their tactics and opted to let rather than to sell, says Lanice Steward, MD of Anne Porter Knight Frank. However, added Steward, some have “come a cropper” as a result of trying to do their own tenant selection and to manage the property themselves.

“Typically,” said Steward, “the owner decideS that the agent’s commission for finding and / or managing the tenant is too high. He then opts to go the DIY route. As a first step he places his own rental advertisement (and is surprised at just how much this costs him) and is then further dismayed to find that he gets very few telephone calls...

To the editor:

I am very interested in learning what the market rates are for fees to administer a 26 unit light industrial body corporate in Durban should be. the monthly average levy would be R1100, please email me how much is to be expected and please forward me the contact details of recommended managing agents in the Durban area

Robert

From the editor:

Should you have an answer for this reader you can forward it to news@cyberprop.com

Summer’s here, and with it the smell of freshly cut lawn on a Saturday afternoon – but the relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to forget how dangerous lawnmowers can be, especially if you’re tempted to have a couple of cold beers while you mow.

Says Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group: ”Mowers can and do throw up stones and other hard objects that can cut shins and damage eyes, and whirring blades can easily slice fingers and toes if you don’t bring them to a standstill before emptying the grassbox. And with electric models, there’s always the danger of cutting the cable and getting a severe shock.”

The satisfaction of completing a home improvement project may be marred by an unexpected trip to hospital if safety precautions are not stringently followed.

It is easy to get carried away in the first flush of enthusiasm, says Martin Schultheiss, CEO of the giant Homenet estate agency group. “However, the old adage that the first thing you should do when planning any DIY project is to buy a first-aid kit, is rather good advice – if only to serve as a reminder to take proper precautions...

Cell Phone enquiries from the public

Buyers driving past your advertising boards will be able to see an unique Internet Number allocated to the specific property. They will then SMS that number to 35476 and will receive an SMS back with all the details of the property. At the same time the agent / agency will also be informed of a potential buyer. How's that for technology working for you! The cost - mahala! Free to all CyberAgent subscribers.

Here's a diagram on the way this process will work...

1. Agent captures the details of the property and pictures into CyberAgent
   
2. Agent updates the property to the Internet
   
3. The Internet server sends back a unique number for that property
   
4. Agent puts up his "For Sale" board together with our SMS board
   
5. Potential buyer sees the "SMS" board and SMS's the unique number to the Internet server
   
6. The Internet server sends back an SMS with all the property details and a link to the website where he/she can view pictures on the propert

If you would like to know more about the above features and benefits that CyberAgent offer, visit: www.cyberagent.co.za or email: sales@cyberprop.com

For Sale Property:
Eastern Cape Freestate Gauteng Kwazulu Natal Mpumalanga North West Northern Cape Limpopo
Western Cape

To Rent Property:
Eastern Cape Gauteng Kwazulu Natal North West Western Cape

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