Global property portal allows agencies to target international buyers and reduce their overheads with free property listings

• Free to list Commercial & Residential property portals now live across ​five countries​ (South Africa, UK, UAE, India & Nigeria)
• Over ​350,000 listings worldwide​ – Aiming for 1 Million by Q4 2019
• Major agents include Annenberg Property Group, Baker Street Properties, Broll, CCH, Chas Everitt and Meridian Realty
• Imminent launches planned for Mainland Europe, China and the Middle EastTwo up-and-coming global property portals Commercial People & Residential People are helping to provide a beacon of hope for real estate agents across the country with their free listings and international coverage

Currently operating operates across South Africa, the UK, UAE, India and Nigeria, Residential People (and its commercial property equivalent Commercial People) are uniquely positioned to attract both local and overseas buyers & investors interested in purchasing property throughout South Africa.

The free to list portals which will also launch across France, Germany, China and other key markets in 2019, is threatening to disrupt the Property24 & Private Property duopoly, offering support for agents across the country struggling to pay the high costs of membership with a radical free to list solution.

In just a few months since their launch, both Commercial & Residential People have attracted some of the biggest names across the property sector including the likes of Broll, CCH, Chas Everitt and more.Commercial & Residential People Co-Director Christopher May says: “We are targeting both merging and established markets alike,“Alongside South Africa, we are currently operating across the UK, UAE and India, and despite our brand infancy, we are well on the way to being one of the biggest portals in the UAE and on the way to becoming one of the largest in India as well.

”“Our USP is simple. Every agent we’ve spoken to is concerned about the rising costs of property portals; Commercial & Residential People are both a free to list global property portal that helps to eliminate some of the expenses agencies face,

”Since launching, Residential People has found that a growing number of searches on its UK site come from prospective overseas buyers looking to relocate here or investors keen to enter the market, this figure is replicated across the South African market as well, with a particular interest in Johannesburg and Cape Town

Mr May continues: “One of our key selling points is that we are international. It is a fact that thousands of properties in certain areas – especially commercial and new build apartments are not being bought by locals but international buyers.”

“In the UAE, for example, after only a few months, we have a 75% market share of all properties.”With the global reach of Residential People, any local South African estate agent can tap into the growing foreign investment across the country, gaining more exposure on their listings for free not only from potential customers in the UK but also from successful expats across the UAE, and soon China.Mr May concludes: “We want to make it abundantly clear that our aim is to work with agents and build an alternative to some of the portals that exist today. While we understand that international attention doesn’t appeal to every South African agent, our nationwide coverage can ensure increased exposure for the local market as well.“ With agents’ support, we are hoping to disrupt the status quo and give agents an alternative to the current duopoly.

The wait for uMhlanga’s latest business and lifestyle development is over as Park Square, an exceptional business and lifestyle destination for professionals and community members, finally opens its doors.

The R1billion Four Star Green Star-rated development, developed by Nedport Developments, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nedbank, features 36 000m² of commercial space, a 4 000m² retail area and a 3 500m² connected open square. The generous retail arcade with some of Durban’s finest stores, restaurants and coffee shops, connects the square with the lush Chris Saunders Park.

Indigenous trees, grass and planter boxes form part of the development’s design to create an attractive natural open space where a connected work culture and distinctive leisure and retail elements exist side by side. Designed with people in mind, Park Square connects the surrounding communities through considered stores, restaurants and services while simultaneously being a dynamic place for professionals to work and socialize.

Outlets to look out for include a brand new top tier Spar and Tops at Spar, Medstone Pharmacy, Armitage Men’s Outfitters, Pizza Hut, Postnet, Hello Hunny Beauty Studio, Seattle Coffee, Mike’s Kitchen, Sergeant Coffee, D’Lishious Shawarma, the Eye Gallery, Eazi Laundromat and International Bank Vaults. On the mix of retail outlets, Nedport Director, Ken Reynolds commented, “Selecting the right assortment of retailers for Park Square was a thorough process. We are confident that we have an excellent combination of fashion, food and coffee purveyors as well as great service providers that will attract people to the development to shop, relax and get things done.”

Located on the uMhlanga Ridge close to Gateway Theatre of Shopping, a GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Transport System stop and other attractions, and with ample parking, Park Square will benefit from excellent access in an upmarket, safe and convenient location. Office areas will enjoy a second, more exclusive breakout space which enhances the development’s people-centred approach. “We look forward to welcoming the community to see what our beautiful considered new space has to offer. We are sure they will be impressed!” concludes Reynolds.

Visit www.parksquare.co.za to find out more.

The opening session of the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Sandton this week will feature keynote addresses by Mr Muzi Mathema, the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency’s Acting Group Executive: Trade, Investment and Regulatory Enablement, as well as the CEO of the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone, Mrs Seipati Mangadi.  

The opportunities and challenges in the South African property sector, from commercial to residential, will be in focus at the summit that returns to Sandton from Thursday, 11  October. Some 200 property professionals are expected to attend this award-winning real estate event, including Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba.

The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) is the headline sponsor for the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit with the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone (GIDZ), a subsidiary company of the GGDA, also represented and speaking at the event. 

The conference theme is: “Examining the commercial, industrial and residential development landscape in South Africa”, and programme highlights include: 

Day 1 – Thursday, 11 October 2018:
09:00-09:30
Opening Keynote: Investing in South Africa: How African capital cities are leading the way
- Muzi Mathema, Acting Group Executive: Trade, Investment and Regulatory Enablement at Gauteng Growth and Development Agency

At the GGDA, Mr Mathema is successfully leading the division responsible for promoting trade and exports in and out of the Gauteng Province, as well as the facilitation of both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) into the Gauteng Province. The function serves to drive economic growth and job creation, through value added facilitation of targeted investment in strategic sectors and delivering trade linkages globally. Additionally, through engagements with public sector stakeholders, potential investors, entrepreneurs, inward and outward trade missions, he is tasked to strategically position the Gauteng Province as a Globally Competitive City Region (GCR).

09:30-10:00
IDZs: Stimulating Struggling Economies: Expansion and development of the country’s industrial development zones: What are the opportunities?
- Seipati Mangadi, CEO of Gauteng Industrial Development Zone 

“The IDZ initiative will go a long way in attracting investment and contributing to lowering unemployment,” according to Ms Mangadi, “however, it should not be seen in separation to other endeavours to make South Africa an attractive destination in which to invest.” She continues: “success lies in working in close cooperation with all stakeholders tasked with marketing South Africa’s investment opportunities. At any given time, there are delegations visiting the globe in efforts to attract investment. However, there could be more cooperation, comparing notes, sharing ideas and ensuring that there is synergy. South Africa needs to sell itself as one investment destination as opposed to competing provinces and SEZs. The launch of Invest SA as a one stop shop is aimed at addressing the current challenges.” 

Day 2 – Friday, 12 October 2018:
09h30 - 10h00
Keynote: Residential Inner City Rejuvenation: How is the City of Johannesburg looking to stimulate private sector investment to raise its R20bn towards redeveloping into affordable housing?
- Herman Mashaba, Executive Mayor, City of Johannesburg                  

Full interviews with several of the event’s expert speakers and partners can be read here: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/interviews

Property Buyer Show
During the same week as the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit, the award-winning Property Buyer Show also returns to Gauteng from 12-14 October at the Sandton International Convention Centre. The Property Buyer Show is a unique, proven format exhibition aimed at first-time residential property buyers or real estate investors and earlier this year won the AAXO ROAR Organiser and Exhibitor Award for the Best Consumer Exhibition 6000 sqm and under. The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit was also voted Africa's best Confex (half conference, half exhibition) at the 2017 AAXO Roar Awards.

The summit and the Property Buyer Show are organised by the multi award-winning Spintelligent, well known for organising exhibitions and conferences across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining and agriculture sectors. Longstanding flagship events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, Future Energy Nigeria (formerly WAPIC), Future Energy East Africa (formerly WAPIC), Agritech Expo Zambia, Kenya Mining Forum, Nigeria Mining Week, DRC Mining Week. Spintelligent is part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

Dates and location:
African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit: 11-12 October 2018
Property Buyer Show expo: 13-14 October 2018
Location: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

Websites: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/ & http://www.propertybuyershow.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARES_Summit & https://twitter.com/propertyshowsa
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8518271

Media contact:
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Smart water management in focus at property event 

The organisers of the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit have announced the gold sponsorship of Utility Systems, an industry leader in the field of remote communicating electronic water control valves and STS prepayment devices. The opportunities and challenges in the South African property sector, from commercial to residential, will be in focus at the summit that returns to Sandton from 11-12 October.

Some 200 property professionals are expected to attend this award-winning real estate event.

Assisting Cape Town with water crisis
“We are involved in a number of projects in various parts of the world which impact water usage” says Darren Oxlee, Chief Technical Officer at Utility Systems, and a featured speaker at the summit on Smart Water Management. He adds: “most pertinent at this time is the City of Cape Town: we have been deeply involved in assisting the City to manage the recent water crisis by providing a flow limitation solution to reduce household water consumption. We have more than 200,000 units deployed across the City of Cape Town. The implementation of our solution has formed part of the City’s strategy.” 

According to Utility Systems’ Darren Oxlee, his vision for water management in the property sector is that: “every water consumption point should be managed and monitored with the goal of reducing non-technical losses to under 20% by 2030. At the moment it is estimated that we lose about 38% of potable water in our systems which, aside for the massive cost, unnecessarily wastes our most valuable resource.”

Darren’s full interview can read on the event website: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/UtilitySystems-interview

Also read: Awareness: the first step in water conservation, by Utility Systems

Property Buyer Show
During the same week as the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit, the award-winning Property Buyer Show also returns to Gauteng from 12-14 October at the Sandton International Convention Centre. The Property Buyer Show is a unique, proven format exhibition aimed at first-time residential property buyers or real estate investors and earlier this year won the AAXO ROAR Organiser and Exhibitor Award for the Best Consumer Exhibition 6000 sqm and under.

The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit was also voted Africa's best Confex (half conference, half exhibition) at the 2017 AAXO Roar Awards.

The summit and the Property Buyer Show are organised by the multi award-winning Spintelligent, well known for organising exhibitions and conferences across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining and agriculture sectors. Longstanding flagship events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, Future Energy Nigeria (formerly WAPIC), Future Energy East Africa (formerly WAPIC), Agritech Expo Zambia, Kenya Mining Forum, Nigeria Mining Week, DRC Mining Week. Spintelligent is part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

Dates and location:
African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit: 11-12 October 2018
Property Buyer Show expo: 13-14 October 2018
Location: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

Websites: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/ & http://www.propertybuyershow.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARES_Summit & https://twitter.com/propertyshowsa
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8518271

Media contact:
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Instant Property is a new commercial real estate platform, transforming the way that the industry engages with properties, tenants and brokers. Using innovative technology and data analysis, the platform provides a seamless and stress-free solution to the challenges around sourcing, renting and managing commercial property.

“Instant Property has been tailored to suit the specific requirements of each type of user – landlord, tenant and broker,” says Instant Property Director, Wayne Berger. “It is the first solution of its kind in South Africa with advanced features and capabilities and a broad portfolio of properties that span the country.”  The platform grants landlords free access to list vacancies and promote them to an impressive network of specialist brokers and tenants. From November 2017, landlords will also be able to list properties for sale or auction and buy properties online.

“It’s a fast and easy system to use and it is ideal for quick leads on commercial and industrial properties,” says Joshua Pelkowitz, Executive, WH Properties. Tenants can use the seamless search function to locate and compare more than eight million metres squared of business space, and get in touch with specialist brokers who can escort them to the property and provide them with expert support.

Tenants have plenty of search options without the stress or the price tag, and landlords find tenants who fit their requirements so they can earn back on their investments. For the broker, Instant Property gives them access to a branded brokerage tenant management system and vacancy mailing solution which allows them to service tenants in seconds.

"The vacancy mailing system has totally transformed the speed at which I search for property stock and allows me more time to engage with my clients to secure the best property solution for them. After over a decade in the commercial industry, Instant Property is a breath of fresh air and game changer like no other,” says Bonolo Gueye, Maikae Consulting. The system has been designed to provide the capabilities of a national brokerage in an easily accessible and manageable online space. It has also been broken down across commercial and industrial brokerages and sales brokers to allow for richer functionality and support. Listed property fund or Commercial and Industrial brokerages can white-label and customise services that extend from websites and native mobile phone applications to sale and leasing management.

“Our property-centric technology transforms how real estate professionals do business,” says Berger. “Property funds gain access to data and meaningful reports that help them to improve customer experiences, identify trends and make industry moves ahead of competitors. Whether sales, commercial and industrial or leasing based, you want access to people, management tools and support, and that is what Instant Property does.” The Instant Property platform has been designed to boost performance and customer engagement for landlords, brokers and property funds, providing access to a network of potential tenants and cutting back on time wasters and unnecessary costs. It is easy to use and has been optimised for mobile, allowing users to stay connected 24/7.

“We have created a free solution that makes commercial and industrial space easily accessible to tenants and easily manageable for brokers and landlords,” concludes Berger. “Leading organisations have been working with Instant Property since our inception, and they have seen measurable results and benefited from our big data reporting capabilities. We are continuing to add features and functionalities to the site to support our mantra – commercial real-estate made easy.” 

{pp}Revamped ABSA Centre launched to property industry today.

19 February 2008 – Urban regeneration in Cape Town received a boost today with the launch of the new look ABSA Centre at 2 Riebeek Street to the property broker community.