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.

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.