New MyProperty website to be launched soon!

Get a sneak peek of Entegral’s new MyProperty website that will be launched soon.  A lot of new features will be added to the site, promising to be one of South Africa’s most up to date property portals!

 

 

RE/MAX SA on track to open 35 franchises this year

RE/MAX of Southern Africa, currently the second best regional performer behind the Czech Republic within the global group’s 92 regions, is on track to open a total of 35 franchises in South Africa this year.

The group had opened 25 new offices by September and is currently converting three offices in the Gauteng area to its brand this month.

Riding high from its best sales month so far this year of R800m in September an upbeat Jeanne van Jaarsveldt told delegates attending a recent Durban group awards gathering that RE/MAX had weathered the exodus of estate agents from the industry extremely well. Based on recent Estate Agency Affairs Board figures the number of registered agents nationally had dipped from 88 000 to a current 45 000. RE/MAX by comparison had shed just less than 12 percent of its sales staff.

This figure had been considered negligible by the US parent company in terms of other regional agent losses and was one of three considerations – along with that of agent productivity and franchise growth – for the South African subsidiary’s current high global ranking.

Substantial rand investment in profiling the brand – according to van Jaarsveldt the largest “share of voice” budget within the industry as measured by AC Nielsen AdEx - and increased training and consumer services intended to spearhead growth of the group to a 3 000 estate agent sales force and a market share of 30 percent within the next 18 months.

 

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Kids Haven gets complete Home Makeover

Celebrities and hundreds of kind-hearted volunteers rolled up their sleeves recently to transform Kids Haven, a children's shelter in Benoni on the East Rand, in the first Chas Everitt International Home Makeover project.

This was run along the lines of the popular TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, with the children being treated to an exciting holiday while their home was totally renovated and transformed into a warm, homely and welcoming environment.

Chas Everitt MD Berry Everitt says the purpose of the company's home makeover project is not only to change buildings but also to change lives - and in that way to create a cycle of hope and help for others. "Hard work and generous support from our sponsors will, we hope, make a material difference to the quality of life of the children of Kids Haven."

Betterbond and Nedbank were platinum sponsors of the project, as were Jack's Paint and Hardware, STBB Attorneys, The Home Channel and Ferreira's Décor World.

Teams of volunteers converged on Kids Haven for the weekend project and were assigned rooms to paint under the keen supervision of representatives of Jack's Paints, who donated all the required materials. Unexpected plumbing problems were rectified, which added an extra day to the planned schedule, but it was not enough to dampen the enthusiasm of the volunteers.

The delay also proved a boon to the young residents of Kids Haven - they had been ferried by Springbok Atlas bus to Magaliesberg Retreat for fun-filled weekend while their home was renovated, and got to stay a whole extra day.

They then returned to find their home completely transformed. Four classrooms, four large dormitories, the school hall and stage alongside the training kitchen and storeroom, the recreation room, dining room, locker room, computer room, TV room and sewing room as well as six bathrooms were all freshly painted and decorated.

Each dorm was fitted out with new mattresses, pillows and duvets, scatter cushions and beanbags as well as two changes of linen. Gift packs for each child included towels, face cloths and toiletries and the younger children also each had a Chas Bear teddy waiting on their beds.

The home was also fitted with new television sets and the children will be able to watch the marathon makeover when it is screened on DSTV's Home Channel at 12:00 and 20:00 on Saturday 22 November and again at 15:00 and 22:00 on Sunday 23 November.

Celebrities who lent a hand included Ryk Neethling who proved a dab hand at painting and lent some muscle to move heavy furniture. Volunteers from Chas Everitt branches, Betterbond, Nedbank, Rosebank College, University of
Johannesburg, Ferreiras and Springbok Atlas all helped to complete the project and local sponsors pitched in by supplying food to the volunteers to keep their energy levels high.

Issued by Chas Everitt International

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Stick to it, says Bill Rawson

The new entry qualifications for estate agents effective from July 15 have created barriers to the profession and will in the long run further reduce the number of agents in SA, says Bill Rawson, Chairman of Rawson Properties. But, he adds in a media release, those agents who are daunted by the prospect of training and writing examinations and are planning to give up should not do so.

“It should be recognised that the new challenges are not that difficult and once met, will add greatly to the skills of agents. Agents must realise that there is no immediate cut-off point. If you fail to qualify now, you have until 2013 to try and try again.”

All new agents now entering the profession have to serve a one-year internship during which they have to be supervised by a qualified agent with at least three years experience. Thereafter, they have to undergo further update training each year. Those with tertiary qualifications and/or property experience can, under a “recognition of prior learning” arrangement apply for credits on this account.

Right now, said Rawson, no qualification is in place for principals. This means that currently only existing principals are allowed to run franchises or branches – but it is hoped that the matter will be put right soon.

“The new regulations place existing agencies with trained staff in a very strong position. They were, however, never meant to create a monopoly but simply to raise the standards in the property marketing sector. It may be that the these academic type qualifications provide only a partial solution, but at least they take cognisance of the fact that property selling requires a whole range of expert knowledge – and far too many agents have until now seriously lacked this.”

 

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Julian Buckmaster joins RE/MAX of Southern Africa

RE/MAX of Southern Africa has announced the appointment of Julian Buckmaster with the responsibility of driving its aggressive franchise expansion in Gauteng.

Buckmaster, who owned the top RealNet Franchise in South Africa, based in Centurion, joins RE/MAX with a string of successes that includes: Franchisee of the year, Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) national finalist 2007 as franchisee of the year and FASA top franchisee in Gauteng in 2007.

Announcing the appointment today, Jeanne van Jaarsveldt, Assistant Regional Director for RE/MAX of Southern Africa says that RE/MAX of Southern Africa is now the second fastest growing region within the RE/MAX International global stable embracing 65 countries.

He sees the brand expanding in South Africa with a further 40 offices in the next 12 months. “We are confident that 2009 will see RE/MAX move towards increased market share, offering franchisee’s and agents key value proposition to weather the current market conditions”

RE/MAX International so far this year has opened more than 580 franchise offices.

 

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Brit agents say tidying up a home makes it more saleable

A recent survey asked Britain’s NAEA members what they believe is the best way to increase the salability of a home. These are not necessary the elements which will increase the value of your home, but rather the smaller, overlooked factors, which can make a massive difference when encouraging the sale of your home.

The survey looked into ways to help increase the chance of a sale with many members placing a huge emphasises on first impressions and how crucial it is to make sure the home is free of clutter. 45% of agents said that tidying up clutter is extremely important.

This is an approach that is crucial and cheap, yet missed by so many home sellers. Redecorating was close behind with 22%. Members were then asked about their thoughts of other ways to ensure the sale of a home, looking particularly at the exterior of a property and whether they thought a well-presented garden can potentially make a difference.

The survey showed that 96% of members agreed that a garden plays an important role and should not be disregarded as it is essential to the sale of a home.

 

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Pick a pearl in Bedfordview

Situated on Bedfordview's sought-after Douglas Road is The Pearls, an exclusive new cluster development.

Michael Pompa of marketers Nationlink Wanda Bollo says there are just five homes left for sale in the complex, at prices ranging from the mid-R5-millions to the upper R7-millions depending on size and views.

"These homes on Millionaires' Row all feature international finishes and all have four bedrooms, three reception rooms, studies, staff quarters, swimming pools and at least two garages," he says.

"However they are all different and one has an additional self-contained apartment, for example. Another has an additional cinema room, gym and huge entertainment area."

Bedfordview has long been the area of choice for some of the wealthiest homeowners in the country, and famous for its excellent schools, proximity to the airport, location at the centre of Gauteng's freeway network and its quality shopping malls and entertainment venues.

And in recent years it has also gained renown for luxury cluster developments like The Pearls, which offer a desirable combination of security and privacy and are low-maintenance compared to the area's traditional freehold homes.

Indeed, says Pompa, cluster homes are the top sellers in Bedfordview at the moment, especially among established professionals and business executives. Such homes vary in price from around R3m at entry level right up to up to R12m, so those in The Pearls are great value for money.

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