Affordable housing, mixed use development projects and the impact of new technology and the Internet of Things on the commercial, industrial and residential landscape are just some of the topics of discussion on the future of the South African property sector at the upcoming African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit that returns to Sandton from 11-12 October. Some 200 property professionals are expected to attend this award-winning real estate event.  

Programme highlights and speakers at the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit include:

· Panel discussion: The Affordable Housing Conundrum: How do we make affordable housing more attractive to investors?

- Panellist: Harold Spies, CEO, Similan Properties, a property development company specialising in the development of security estates with homes and apartments for the emerging middle class market in Mbombela, Gauteng and PE:

“While investors are looking at yield, developers have to evaluate yield drivers. To me, the answer is in the layered approach of addressing product concept, quality, management and constant evaluation.  It’s not a single thing, but a combination of the detail. When we dare to challenge the norm and strive for affordable luxury, design neighbourhoods and build communities, we have to pause at answering to experience design.” 

· Panel discussion: Integrated Urban Development: Investigating successful mixed use development projects with case studies: What makes these projects successful and how can we continue their sustainability.

- Panellist: Brendan Falkson, Director of Rosslyn Hub, a 100-ha mixed use development at the centre of the Tshwane Auto City, in Rosslyn. The Tshwane Auto City, is Africa’s first multi-OEM auto city, based on successful auto cities in Germany, Japan and China:

“The more role players that can buy into the ‘big vision’ of a project at an early stage, the more chance that this project will not only succeed, but thrive. Integrated urban development is especially significant in South Africa in order to bring communities closer to work opportunities and create better social cohesion."

· Presentation: The Impact of Technology and the Future of Residential Brokerage - What are international firms doing to stay ahead? How does technology improve the residential space?

- Rali Mampeule, CEO of Phadima Group Holdings:

“The new tech real estate business in the selling, leasing and buying of properties space will overtake the traditional sales and marketing companies in terms of overall values service to client and speed.”

· Presentation: How are IoT and the 4th Industrial revolution practically impacting the commercial, industrial and residential landscape - What is the impact on developers and investors in this area and are millennials changing the status quo for property development?

- Ms Laetitia Cook, Director, BiZense and Real Estate lecturer at the University of Pretoria:

“Rapid change is brought about by the 4th Industrial revolution, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and the ability to analyse huge data lakes, as well as new technology such as Nano tech, Med Tech, Prop Tech etc. To us it may seem daunting but our customers, tenants, and future landlords are already comfortable in that space. We should not fear this wave of change. The old way of doing things will not solve the challenges we are facing now.”

The full interviews with these and other experts can be viewed on the event website: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/interviews

Utility Systems, an expert company in smart water management solutions, is the gold sponsor for the upcoming African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit.

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, agriculture and education 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.

Owning a house comes with certain responsibilities that first time home owners might not be fully aware of. Doing your homework upfront is key to having the peace of mind that you can cope with the financial obligations of owning your own home, including related costs for maintenance, repairs, insurance, rates and taxes and so on, so that you can relax and enjoy your new home and the making of many happy memories.Cosmopolitan Projects, one of South Africa’s largest developers of affordable housing, offers a handy check list of essential tips associated with owning a new home:

Rates and taxes

On registration of the property in your name, you will be billed for rates and taxes by the council and will be liable for the account, regardless of whether you have moved into the property or not. You will need to open an account at the council offices in your name and pay a deposit. Make sure you provide a valid postal address and should you not receive the statement, it is your responsibility to rectify this with the council. If you have not been paying your rates and taxes, you will be in for a nasty surprise when you receive an accrued municipal account.

Repairs and maintenance

Once your house is registered in your name, you are responsible for all maintenance and repairs of your home going forward. Things such as painting, repairs of leaking taps and blocked drains, basin connectors, window handles, door locks, roof tiles, flashings and so on, are all affected by wear and tear and will require maintenance and repairs from time to time to protect the value of your asset.

What about cracks?

If you have bought a newly built home or a home off-plan, then the formation of “settlement cracks” for the first two years is completely normal in a new building. Fluctuations in temperature and rain and the sheer weight of the building will cause your foundation to settle and cause small cracks known as settlement cracks. Your house is designed with expansion joints to be flexible for these movements. After some time, the foundation will settle and less cracks will appear. The owner is responsible to fix and maintain these cracks a part of their home maintenance.

What happens if I find latent defects after I move in?

A latent defect is a fault in the property that could not have been discovered by a reasonably thorough inspection before the sale. As a consumer you have the right to give instruction to a developer to rectify latent defects as follows: within 12 months you can instruct the builder to repair roof leaks attributable to workmanship and design materials – damage caused by storms will not be covered by the developer, and likewise if any tiles were moved for repairs or work done after occupation the warranty is no longer valid. Homeowners can also instruct the builder to rectify major structural defects caused by non-compliance with regards to technical building standards within five years, while plumbing and electrical faults will be rectified within the first year of occupation.

Building Insurance

Home owners insurance protects the building and all its fixtures – essentially the brick structure that you will be moving into – against perils such as fire, flood, severe weather, theft and so on. It’s also important to remember the underlying premise of home owners insurance – it protects you for sudden and unforeseen loss or damage. Your insurance company will not cover you for gradual deterioration as a result of a lack of maintenance, often referred to as wear and tear, so make sure you budget for and conduct regular maintenance on your property and attend to any necessary repairs. The bank will also insist on you having this cover to protect their interest in the property until your bond is fully paid.

Contents insurance

Insure the contents of your home against loss or damage as a result of theft, fire, flood and extreme weather conditions. This insurance can be combined with your building and car insurance. Insuring with one insurer could lead to a cheaper, consolidated premium.

Being aware of and understanding the additional responsibilities that come with owning a house, and the expenses that come with them, is key to enjoying your new home, and not being overwhelmed by it.