Look for countries with strong middle-class growth -- say, China or Brazil. Stick mainly to housing and retail. Focus on the long term. And don't attempt to do it without a local partner.

That was the consensus among the global real estate developers, investors, finance specialists and executives who spoke at the recent Knowledge@Wharton Real Estate in Emerging Markets Forum...

Speech by the Democratic Alliance leader Johannesburg
15 January, 2009

Address delivered by Helen Zille at the Democratic Alliance's Economic Breakfast Summit in Rosebank, Johannesburg, January 15 2009

Ensuring South Africa's prosperity in the face of the global economic crisis

Good morning.

I would like to thank you all for joining us here today at the DA's Economic Breakfast Summit, and to extend a particularly warm welcome to our three main speakers. They are Chris Hart, chief economist at Investment Solutions; Jacques Laubscher, group economist at Sanlam; and Dawie Roodt, chief economist at the Efficient Group...

Another high profile figure in the Cape residential property market, Lanice Steward, MD of Anne Porter Properties, says that there are now clear signs of renewed optimism in this market.

This, said Steward, appears to be based on a slight easing up in the economic situation as a result of the lowering of food and petrol prices and a belief that interest rates will come down throughout 2009. It is also, she said, based on a better understanding of, and a new readiness to accept, the limitations imposed by the National Credit Act...

DECEMBER SALES WERE 27 % UP.

Are South African Estate Agents trying to talk the market up, or are they, by and large, honest analysts of the property scene?

One company, Rawson Properties, has always claimed to be in the latter category – but has recently found itself and its media liaison man, Tim Cartwright, the target of criticism for putting a spin on its figures...

South African residential property put in its worst performance in 12 years, the Standard Bank said on Tuesday as it released its median house price index.

The index recorded a decrease of 3.1 percent year-on-year in December, bringing the average annual decline in 2008 to 0.3 percent, the bank said...

As in Australia, so here at the Cape: the future of the property sector will in large part be determined by the baby boomers, the large numbers of people born some 20 to 25 years ago. This was said recently by Mike Greeff, Chief Executive of Greeff Properties.

“Among middle class South African citizens approximately one-third of the population is now under the age of 25,” said Greeff. “In the lower income groups the percentage is very close to 40...

South Africa’s residential property market had its worst year in 12 years last year, according to the Standard Bank Residential Property Gauge released yesterday.

The bank reported that the median house price index recorded a decrease of 3,1 percent year-on-year in December, bringing the average annual decline last year to -0,3 percent, the first fall since 1996...

JOHANNESBURG (JANUARY 22) - the StatsSA release of November Building Statistics yesterday almost completes the building activity picture for 2008, confirming the weakness of the residential development market at present, FNB notes in its comment on the data.

For the month of November, on a year-on-year basis, the number of residential units completed declined by –11,7% year-on-year.

Possibly, FNB notes, a better indicator of the near term expectations of the market is the number of units’ building planes passed, which declined by a massive –33,2% year-on-year in the same month...

Systems. Whether it’s the system of keeping things simple and uncluttered or the systematic team effort that wins a yacht race, James Hemphill’s lifestyle will always honour the systems.

DESIGNER LIVING visited James Hemphill of JH Design to see what works for this top designer, at home and at play.

Although a fan of Herbert Baker architecture and classic décor, Hemphill has chosen for his home base a relatively straightforward, functional and compact house in Parktown North...

A patch of herbs not only adds interest to your garden and your dinner table – it can increase the value of your property.

According to the Chas Everitt International newsletter Property Signposts, studies have shown that well-kept gardens can increase property values by about 10% and that a herb garden is a good choice in situations where space is limited, such as townhouse gardens...

Blog reply - Smart money keeps it up

The saving is not just R360 per month and 2,5 years off your bond when paying R360 into your bond. You are saving R373200 at the end of the term! That is compounding!

Editor: If you agree or not agree with this blog reply let us know, news@cyberprop.com

To the editor: R+N Master Builders celebrates six decades of excellence

Leading Cape Town construction company, R+N Master Builders, formerly known as Resnekov & Nielsen, this year celebrates their 60th anniversary. With a long list of iconic projects, R+N has played a pivotal role in defining the cityscape and protecting our heritage.

The firm of master craftsmen honours a tradition of fine construction through high levels of technical proficiency, complemented by solid construction methodology, excellent project management skills, and a totally committed and experienced workforce.

“R+N does more than just build,” says Brian Rabinowitz, Director of R+N. “We professionally manage the broader challenges presented by the construction process while understanding our client’s requirements and ensuring that the building process realizes an income stream for the developer at the very earliest opportunity.”

As the business has grown, R+N has expanded into large-scale greensite developments. Amongst the many successful projects undertaken by R+N, are both phases of the 60 000m² Cape Quarter Shopping Centres and the contemporary ten-storey Hudson block in the trendy Waterkant area of Cape Town.

In addition to the building of new commercial, retail and industrial premises, as well as high class residential developments, R+N also handle complex alterations and renovations, office refurbishments and restorations.

“Rather than demolish buildings that are of cultural and historic significance, old structures are redesigned and remodelled to meet the requirements of the new function and the owner’s particular requirements, with as much of the original construction as possible being preserved,” explains Rabinowitz.

R+N has for many years been closely associated with the preservation of heritage buildings, and is highly respected for its expertise in this very specialised field.

The restoration and renovation of the Castle of Good Hope, Houses of Parliament, Mostert’s Mill, the Oasis Wing of the Mount Nelson Hotel, the complex renovation of the Majestic Village in Kalk Bay, office refurbishments on premises such as ABSA Private Bank and Standard Bank Head Offices, the Cape Grace Presidential Suites and Spa, in addition to hospitals and numerous restaurants, showcase their abilities.

“We have tackled diverse projects ranging from the development of Lifestyles on Kloof Centre, Sovereign Quay in Somerset Road, to Kirstenbosch Restaurant and the conversion of 34 St Georges into 68 apartments, Longkloof Studios, The Decks and Jewellery Avenue, the only specialist jewellery mall in South Africa – to name but a few.”

And their clients are more than satisfied. Rob Kane of Vunani Properties commends the company’s high standards: “R+N went the extra mile, before being asked to do so, and made the renovation of Jewellery Avenue, just off Green Market Square, the most hassle free development I have done in terms of building work.”

Paul Munnik, of Munnik Visser Architects, says they have worked with R+N Master Builders on several high profile contracts with spectacular results. “R+N possess an empathy and understanding of old historic buildings that is unrivalled in my opinion. They are not contractors, but rather, master craftsmen who nurture a project and ensure it is sensitively executed to exacting standards.”

Paul Moxley of Propfintrust, developers of the Cape Quarter, says that R+N as a team have made a huge contribution to their developments over the past eight years.

“Their passion to deliver our heritage developments with care is only surpassed by their keenness to deliver them with speed and cost effectiveness. R+N’s procurement of current technologies, plant and programming assists to provide their ingenuity in method and above all their people are what make them stand out above their competition.”

“Pride, professionalism and excellence are the cornerstones of R+N’s business and we seek to establish lasting and meaningful relationships with all our clients,” says Rabinowitz.

“We are pleased and proud to have reached our 60th Anniversary with such a telling reputation and we are excitedly looking forward to another six decades of excellence.”

Editor: Congratulations & best wishes!

Implications of Property Tax

Its not at all uncommon for organisations to purchase property to develop an office block or factory for their own use and then to have events (such as a dotcom bubble or a subprime crisis) overtake them, so that the original plans are put on hold. Its also common for those original plans eventually to be completely abandoned and for the organisation to decide that the office block etc should be erected elsewhere and that the original property should be developed and sold for profit...

The areas we are going to take a closer look at this week are;

• Sedgefield
• Pietermaritzburg

Sedgefield shines

Sedgefield on the Garden Route is seemingly impervious to the property market downturn.

Mario Ferreira, principal of the local Chas Everitt International franchise, says that properties in every category are moving well. He adds that while prices have remained essentially stable there has, in stark contrast to just about everywhere else, even been some price growth over the past six months...

Top class eco estate takes root in Maritzburg

A limited number of homes are due to be built at the Rockydale Eco Estate in Pietermaritzburg in order to minimise the environmental impact of the development.

Albie Timmerman of marketing agency Homenet 1st Realtors says the developers also want to avoid the “cookie cutter” look by making sure homes are spread out and individually designed...

Mogale City, previously known as Krugersdorp Local Council, was named after Chief Mogale, the young heir to the Po Chiefdom of the Batswana. The PO tribe, one of the original tribes, occupied the territory now known as Mogale City. They occupied an area that stretched from the Magaliesberg in the west to the present day Northcliff Ridge in the east, to the Vaal River in the southwest and Haartebeespoort Dam in the northwest...

>> View Properties in Krugerdorp
>> View Properties in Gauteng

Search for property in your area

Lanice Steward, MD of Anne Porter Properties, has warned bondholders who are planning to cancel their bonds (usually as a result of selling the property) that for a year or longer certain banks – not all – have been “making things very difficult”.

“The first of the new rulings now applied,” she said, “is that it is necessary to give three months prior notice of cancellation. This gives rise to numerous problems, the most obvious of which is that in today’s market it may well be impossible to sell your home in three months...

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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