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.

South Africans, fearful of a declining rand and uncertain property laws, could consider investing in Switzerland where one of the world’s top ski resorts offers safe and attractive returns and an idyllic getaway, says a leading SA property expert.

Toni Enderli said Andermatt ski resort -- rated among the best in the world for its incredible year-round lifestyle and recreational facilities, significant tax incentives and attractive returns -- has drawn a flood of global interest, including from South Africans.

Enderli, a Cape-based property entrepreneur, said pricing in Andermatt is on par with the Atlantic Seaboard and recorded an almost 90% surge in sales last year. The diverse property options include “headache-free ownership” and a guaranteed 3% annual net return on fully managed and serviced, one-bedroom apartments.

He said the resort, which is undergoing a R22-billion redevelopment, is ideally located, 1.5 hours from Zurich or two hours from Milan – both just a 12-hour flight from SA.

“For me, Andermatt is arguably among the world’s top 10 investment and lifestyle resorts, offering 180km of skiable slopes, an 18-hole golf course, and some of the finest biking routes in the world – in addition to almost every other sporting or recreational activity available – all in the spectacular Alps.”

“The village centre is car-free with beautiful hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions contributing to an incredibly safe, friendly and communal environment,” he said.

Enderli said Andermatt was exempt from restrictive foreign property ownership laws, resulting in a deluge of new investors from Italy, Germany, the UK, the Middle East, China and recently, South Africa.

“I invite South Africans to take advantage of this incredible opportunity while it’s available,” he added. 

Contact Toni Enderli on 082-497-4302, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or for more info, visit http://andermattswissalps-summer.pagedemo.co.

A community-focused residential and commercial village in the Stellenbosch winelands has been judged as South Africa’s best mixed-use property development, placing it in line for one of the most prestigious property awards in the world.

Nooitgedacht Village, which has attracted investment of over R1billion since it’s 2013 launch, was voted the country’s best by the African Property Awards, and will now vie for the title of Best Mixed-Use Development in Africa at the International Property Awards, known as the “Oscars” of the property industry. The village is part of the historic Nooitgedacht Estate and combines Old Cape and Bo-Kaap architecture with modern commercial and retail components.

Property expert Toni Enderli describes the village as “a community model of the future where you can safely live, work and play without getting into a car.” “It’s authentic, sustainable and affordable. Apartments start from R1.4-million and amenities include a hotel, restaurant, medical centre and gym, all located around a two-hectare eco wetland park.

Residents also have access to the 200ha Nooitgedacht farm for cycling, running, picnicking and more.” The village is up against developments from the rest of Africa, Dubai and Arabia, judged by a panel of 80 property experts and chaired by members of the UK’s House of Lords. Winners will be announced at a gala event in London on 12 June, attended by developer, Werner Wirth.

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For media information, contact Hudah Levendall or Kauthar Manuel on 021-785-3683 or 060-983-5380.

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Cape Town get ready: ‘There is never a bad time to buy property…there are only bad investors who don't know how to take advantage of the opportunity.’

With pivotal elections on the horizon and a daily news stream fraught with negative economic sentiment, it is no surprise that South Africans are tiptoeing around potential investments and adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach.

Yet with recent claims from the City of Cape Town that homes in Cape Town have increased in value by 34% in the past three years, there is undoubtedly no time like the present for would-be property investors.

Wealth Alliance, an organisation that empowers individuals to change their perspective on traditional wealth creation, offer property investment seminars, masterclasses and mentorship programs. These programs will now be available in the Cape Town area, starting with ongoing free seminars* for anyone interested in the key to building wealth through property, regardless of industry experience.

These programs are carefully designed to assist entrants in the property sector, and therefore cover key aspects of the property market:

• Areas in South Africa where you’re likely to find the best property deals, and which finance strategies will help you finance your investment;
• Best Cape Town neighbourhoods to invest in as well as informal settlements ripe for investment
• Various investment strategies including back-to-back deals, capital flips and how to invest in property without any of your own capital
• Different types of properties to invest in, from residential to Airbnb and commercial
• Building your network, finding and financing property deals

According to property specialist and Wealth Alliance co-founder, Sylvia Koketso Milosevic, ‘there is never a bad time to buy property…there are only bad investors who don't know how to take advantage of the opportunity.’

As an entrepreneur who has boldly entered the property market and reaped the rewards, Sylvia now actively shares her learnings and provides people with practical tips and advice.  Drawing inspiration from Napoleon Hill’s legendary bestseller, ‘Think and Grow Rich’, she runs a series of dynamic property investment seminars and training sessions. The seminars apply the 13 classic principles of ‘Think and Grow Rich’ to the local property market, and demonstrates how new investors can successfully negotiate the property sector.  

“While it is certainly a difficult economic environment for investors right now, we believe that with the right tools and knowledge, South Africans can benefit from the current downward trajectory in property prices - and turn their financial goals into reality,” she says. “We teach our students that by applying the right strategy, regardless of the market conditions, they can achieve outstanding returns.”

According to Milosevic, “investors should combine strategies that will have you making money from day one, so it doesn’t matter if the market declines, you are still making money every single month, down the line, until there is an upswing again.”

Moreover, declining house prices are not necessarily so negative - as it allows first-time homebuyers to enter the housing market at cheaper prices. They can then benefit from the uptick when it comes. Notably, the recent budget speech highlighted some positive socio-economic investments on the horizon which speak to a brighter future ahead for savvy investors.

Regardless of the current political status quo, however, it is critical that potential investors arm themselves with the knowledge and know-how to turn property into smart investments – despite difficult macroeconomic conditions. “We are thrilled to be able to share our knowledge and experience with potential investors in and around Cape Town, and to unlock the infinite opportunities that lie within the local property sector,” says Milosevic.

Wealth Alliance seminars are now available in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Polokwane and Venda, with new markets to be launched soon. To find out more about Wealth Alliance and to book for a complimentary Think and Grow Rich property seminars visit http://www.wealthalliance.com and http://www.thinkandgrowrich.co.za/ 

Media Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2018 has been a volatile year on many fronts, however the property market at Arabella Country Estate in Kleinmond, Western Cape, is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Since the beginning of 2018, home sales in the estate have reached over R100 million. “Demand for properties within the estate have soared this year, with more than 20 homes being sold in 2018 already,” says estate manager, Dirk Uys.

The Overberg has become a dream destination for many families, as it offers a lifestyle and sense of security not available in many other areas in South Africa. The estate has become one of the first in the area to offer full fibre optic access throughout the Estate ensuring high-speed Internet connectivity to all home owners. “Many people moving onto the Estate are doing so to escape the growing stresses and congestion of city life,” says Uys.

“We are located just 110km from Cape Town and with the increasing trend towards mobile/home offices and home-based businesses, Arabella has become an attractive alternative, The fibre optic access now gives residents high speed connectivity to be able to work efficiently from home.”

Although known worldwide for their exceptional golf course, Arabella Country Estate, also supports a myriad of other outdoor lifestyle activities right on their doorsteps, including mountain biking, trail running, non-motorised water sports on the famous Bot River Lagoon, walking and bird watching.

For more info on Arabella Country Estate please see the following:
Website – www.arabellacountryestate.co.za
Facebook – @ArabellaCountryEstate
Twitter – @ArabellaEstate
Instagram - @arabellacountryestate

By Devan Moonsamy – CEO the ICHAF Training Institute

Some of you may know how difficult it is to deal with real estate agents, and how hopeless one can feel when searching for a home to rent or buy. Sometimes it feels like unless you are standing in front of them with cash or an approved bond in hand you are almost invisible to them. It’s no exaggeration to say that some are sharks.

They don’t phone you back, they don’t reply to emails, they don’t seem interested in serving clients. That’s not to say all real estate agents are bad, some of very helpful. But there does seem to be an overall poor level of customer service. Perhaps because of the nature of the industry, it allows room for unethical practices.

Myself, colleagues and friends of mine have simply heart-breaking stories to tell about how dazed, hopeless and insulted we have felt trying to find a place to buy or rent. Very few real estate agents stay in contact and treat you like a human being.

A friend in Cape Town couldn’t help laughing when she read that a place 3km from the coast is, “A stone’s throw from the beach.” When questioned about this, the agent said that’s advertised for “the people from Joburg”. Apparently, Joburgers can’t tell the difference between 30m and 3 000m… One can’t believe the lies!

But there is more to this story, much more. It’s not just about lousy service and obscuring the truth. It really feels like there is racism adding to the problem. In fact, we know there is racism looking at the evidence.

For example, in Cape Town, one real estate agency advertises on its fliers that they are not racist. They explicitly state that they don’t discriminate on the basis of colour against people applying to buy in a new development. Why on earth should they feel the need to state this in their advertising?

People must be communicating bad experiences to them, experiences of being racially profiled and ignored for having a dark skin. Seeing the struggles of these folk, they explicitly advertise not to worry about this when dealing with them. On the one hand, it is a good selling point. How do real estate agents hope to make sales by ignoring over 80% of the population? On the other hand, it is a kindness of them, considering how much racism others seem to be getting away with.

It’s shocking, but not entirely unexpected when I place it in the context of my own recent experiences in trying to find a property. I have faced similar discrimination when travelling as a tourist, when shopping, and in the workplace. It may be easier for me personally to see when racism is happening because I compare it to how my white companions, especially my long-time white partner, are treated compared to me – sometimes when we are in the same room.

Various demographics almost always play a role. Young single men of all races have also related how difficult it is to find a place to rent. Why? It seems because they are male, and landlords and ladies prefer female tenants or couples. But preferably without children and pets of course.

Recently, someone gave an excellent review to a young gentleman looking for a new place. The previous landlady was very happy with him. But no matter how well she spoke about him, he kept getting turned away. If we add to this the requirement that tenants and buyers be white, it must narrow the market tremendously.

Ideally, the focus should be on who needs housing most. A decent home to live in shouldn’t be a luxury, and the property market should be needs driven. Still, many factors combine to make it difficult for the ordinary South African to secure a decent, affordable roof over their heads.

There is another inconsistency: most real estate agents are white. I didn’t deal with a single coloured, Indian or black agent in Cape Town while looking for a place. Having monitored the property market for the right place over more than two years, my employee from Cape Town also reports having dealt with just one non-white agent.

Real estate agencies have too firm a hold on property and the trends that affect it. Many people are being locked out of the market by excessive prices, the nightmare of dealing with agents, and discrimination. One factor that comes into play is that many previously whites-only areas are still largely dominated by white people. Integration takes time certainly. However, white agents have a firm hold on the property market in certain areas. They have the power to prevent non-whites from accessing housing in these neighbourhoods. All they have to do is ignore prospective non-white tenants and buyers. White agents may be overly protective of the white areas they live and work in.

It’s something which is very hard to prove of course, and it’s very hard to enforce non-discriminatory practices in an industry which is already so open to abuse.

A further question I have is why buyers can’t find private sellers and thus get around agents. There doesn’t seem to be any website or other forms of advertising for private buyers and sellers. Who is squashing this market and how are they doing so? There must be a way to remove the middle person and thus reduce costs in the housing market.

In conclusion, I would like to point out solutions to some of these problems. The government has announced the launch of its Megacities projects and various related programmes aimed specifically at helping the millions who are struggling to access housing and basic services.

What is encouraging is the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP). It is specifically aimed at first-time home buyers who are stuck in “real estate limbo”. These are people who don’t meet the criteria for RDP housing, but who also can’t afford bond repayments. It provides this large but underserved group a chance at owning their own property.

I urge readers to find out more about the FLISP and Megacities projects to see if they meet the requirements. It looks to be a fantastic opportunity for many South Africans to finally break the chains around the real estate market.

For more information on Devan Moonsamy and The ICHAF Training Institute please visit:
Website - http://www.ichaftraining.co.za/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheICHAFTrainingInstitute/?ref=br_rs
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheIchaf
ENDS
For further comment from Devan Moonsamy you can email him on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact him on 083 303 9159

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.” 

July 27, 2017 – Rentorr is a dynamic online platform that brings together property owners, real estate players, vendors, people who want to rent a home, etc, in one space. It offers solutions that completely align with the realities of the 21st century. People can let, rent, carry out repairs, list a property, connect with thousands of homes without leaving the comfort of their home. It is a virtual world that takes away the complexity of manually searching for the things that will make you enjoy an ideal property experience. The platform serves the home owner by allowing him to screen, collect his rent and manage his property through this robust framework.

Also, individuals who are interested in renting a home can choose from the thousands of options spread on the platform. Every area in South Africa is optimally covered by this top range website. Professionals such as Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc, can also be gotten through this system. You do not need to go through a rigorous process to handle anything that pertains to your property. RENTORR has made it possible to serve your needs as soon as you sign up in less than 10 seconds. It helps you save time, money and resource while delivering great value to every player in the South African property market.

The powerful effects that anyone can enjoy through the unique range of service that this company gives are unparalleled. According to the CEO, he stated that ‘’Our vision is to build a company that does not just recognize the needs of the customers but thrives to work with systems to surpass our customers’ expectations.’’ He said that the company would keep delivering exceptional service due to their unique ability to feel the pulse of the market. The company is set to launch other amazing features on its channel that will completely revamp the way people operate in the property market.

In view of the excitement that this platform is currently generating, there is an ongoing plan to make it an invite-only online community. This means that people who get in early will enjoy a seamless experience without any complexities. The South African property market has witnessed an upswing and RENTORR is aptly positioned as a revolutionary concept that is taking it by storm.

You can visit the website at www.rentorr.com for more details.

Media Relations Contact
Company name: Rentorr Services
Contact name: A.R Lingwati
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone number: +27 (0)12 000 2568
Website: www.rentorr.com

Our ongoing efforts to grow out footprint in South Africa and selected countries are bearing fruit.

At our interim results announcement on February 18, we updated the market on the progress we are making.

Here’s a rundown of what’s in the development works.

In South Africa:

• We fully opened the 149-room City lodge Hotel Waterfall City Hotel at Midrand in February
• The 148-room City Lodge Hotel Newtown (downtown Johannesburg) is well underway and will open before the end of 2015
• The 90-room Road Lodge Pietermaritzburg will commence in February and is scheduled to open in November

Elsewhere in Africa:

• Earthworks are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2015 for the 169-room City Lodge Hotel Two Rivers in Nairobi, Kenya, and for the 147-room City Lodge Hotel Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
• A financial feasibility study is being conducted into the possible development of a 150-room City Lodge Hotel in Kampala, Uganda.
• A memorandum of understanding (subject to conditions) has been entered into for the possible development of a 140 to 150-room Town Lodge in Windhoek, Namibia
• Negotiations are at an advanced stage for the development of 150 to 160-room City Lodge Hotel in Maputo, Mozambique.

The bottom line is that we will soon have more great locations to meet your business and leisure accommodation needs – both in SA and elsewhere on the continent!

Limestone Residential Properties situated in the greater Sandton Area, Johannesburg in South Africa is the foremost and major real estate agents servicing properties throughout Johannesburg. The company specialises in the rental and sales of residential properties like houses, vacant land, apartments, flats, town houses etc.  

The company Limestone Residential Properties specialises in apartment and cluster rentals either in furnished or unfurnished forms. The company offers rentals from 3 months to 3 years. Limestone Residential Properties boasts of an experienced team of estate agents who has vast knowledge about property buying, selling and rental services and thus can solve all queries and requirements of their clients’ with ease,professional expertise and personalised service.  

The real estate company offers comprehensive offerings for landlords from once off rentals to managed leases. The company also offers full turnkey solutions for its existing clients which include selling their existing properties at a profit.   Limestone Residential Properties have a synergetic relationship with Limestone Properties who are the “off-plan” marketing agency in Gauteng, thus helping their clients from transfer of their investment properties, either by renting those investments out or by reselling them to make a reasonable amount of profit.  

Limestone Residential Properties on behalf of their clients does rental management whereby the company manages day to day aspects of their clients’ rental property which includes collecting the rents on specific dates, dealing with maintenance issues, liaising with corporate and governing bodies according to the demand of the situation, paying levies and other utility charges on behalf of the client and then finally paying the appropriate balance rental amount to theirclient. As soon as rentals are deposited in the company’s account which generally gets deposited on or before the 1st day of every month, payments are simultaneously made to the clients. Tracy Meyburgh oversees all dealings and in case of any problem she personally takes charge of the matter to solve it along with her team.  

For more information, visit http://www.limestoneproperties.co.za  

About Limestone Residential Properties:

Limestone Residential Properties founded in 2007, based inParkmore, in the greater Sandton Area in Johannesburg specialises in providing sales or rental services of residential properties like flats, cottages, apartments, town-houses, as well as corporate accommodations etc.  

Contact:
113, 11th street
Parkmore
Sandton
Johannesburg
South Africa
Phone: +27 (0)11 784 2772
Fax: +27 (0)11 784 2774
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.