Properties in Cape Town

Sellers urged to face market realities

2008-05-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

CAPE TOWN (May 02) – Sellers, not legislation, not rising interest rates or estate agents, was cited, as an unnecessary major contributor to the residential property market’s slowdown.

While it was an undisputable fact that the South African economy had become entangled in the global credit crunch its effect on the market along with rising interest rates was, in Jeanne van Jaarsveldt’s view, “being largely overstated.’ “Undeniably, the biggest sheet anchor on the movement of residential property right now is overpricing and this can be substantiated by the number of sales being concluded after negotiation on price.”

According to the FNB property barometer for the first quarter released earlier this week the percentage of properties sold at less than asking price was 83 percent and 82 percent in the last quarter of 2007.

Van Jaarsveldt, marketing and finance director of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, insists that it is important that sellers realise the slowdown in the South African property market was a direct result of financial fundamentals of a global nature and not part of a national conspiracy engineered by the Reserve Bank, the commercial banks or estate agents.

To blame the Reserve Bank was unfortunate as it was only exercising its appointed role of controlling inflation through the traditional tool of interest rate adjustments.

It was also unfair to fault other market influences, such as the state, banks and estate agents.

The reality was that South Africa, just as other international economies had been snared into the global credit crunch, which was creating uncertainty and grinding down market confidence. “In New Zealand we have seen residential sales plummet by more than half in the past month over March of last year while Britain’s annual rate of house price growth in the first quarter of 2008 was 2,2%, down from 6,9% at the end of 2007.

House prices slowed even more sharply in Northern Ireland where the annual rate of appreciation fell from 24,2% to –3,4%.

Peter Gilmour Regional Director of RE/MAX SA and Senior Vice President of RE/MAX International reports that real estate sales have reduced by 30%-40% in many markets in the USA and little improvement is expected in 2008.

Also in Australia that country’s national estate agent body heaved a sigh of relief almost audible enough to be heard in South Africa after its Reserve Bank held rates steady in April after hikes in both February and March which reportedly left home owners reeling from the accumulative effects of the increases."Van Jaarsveldt urges both sellers and buyers to maintain perspective of the market and particularly it’s strengths as opposed to exaggerating its weaknesses, which had become overly fashionable.

Of importance, and this only applied to the South African market, was the continued emergence of the black buyer.“Some commentators believe this source as an effect on the market could run for 20 years before burn out, but the importance of this force is to understand that its former momentum has only been briefly stalled and will resume once affordability begins to improve among state employees.”

Also pertinent, even in the current slowdown, house price growth was still increasing admittedly of a slower nature. Sales in the lower end of the market were also still active, but to van Jaarsveldt, the biggest indicator underpinning a recovery was the lack of new building taking place.

The pace of new residential developments had slowed markedly with many developers at their wits end trying to successfully mix the cost of new building land and materials with affordability.

Further shrinkage in new unit supply was inevitable and this, perhaps more than any single feature, would fuel second hand stock prices unrealistically when the market turned.

Growth, Rental Return or Quick Buck?

2008-04-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

In more than 6 years advising property investors in the blaauwberg, Cape Town area on buying property I worked with many different investment theories!

Some property investors are extremely conservative and are looking for a very safe no risk buy! They are looking for good growth and good rental return over a long period of time.
Other investors are looking for quick returns, buy cheap, renovate and sell.
I have favoured over time investing in properties that give a little of both.
In our area of Blouberg our beachfront properties give a lower rental return but have given better than average growth return.

In our slightly less expensive areas you can pick up a unit that has a very good rental return but might not grow as much as the beachfront area.
You can see the dilemma.

I would advise my clients that if they have got the cash to buy more expensive apartments on the beach.
You might not get good rental, but who cares if they are no hassle to rent out and are doubling up in price every few years.
If my client is bonding the property with a bank and my client does not have great cash flow then I would recommend buying a property with a high rental return and demand for rental as this can put 60 to 70 % of the finance towards the bond.

The smart way to buy is to really shop around and to try buy below market value.
If you renovate and sell for a quick buck then make sure you have other properties you can flip.

Remember once you have sold that property you will not be able to buy that same property at that price again.

So to conclude!

Buy properties below market value and hold onto them as long as possible.
Rental return and growth will almost always equal each other out.
Don’t buy brand new properties to rent out as often the damage that tenants can do will destroy that good feel a new place has.
Try to buy a property that is in good nick but can do with a coat of paint at a later stage.

If you decide to sell then you should do your renovation work to make the unit achieve a higher price.

Check out this report at Do not pay too much for your property.

You might find our Buyer's Toolkit very interesting before you go ahead and purchase that property.

The Husband and Wife Team have won the coveted platinum award three years in a row. 2005, 2006, 2007.Membership of the RE/MAX platinum club is one of the highest single year commission honours that Re/max bestows upon a sales associate.Ashley and Izelle are well known estate agents that service the blaauwberg area.There area includes, Milnerton, Melkbos, Sunset Beach, Big Bay, Parklands, Bloubergstrand and Table View.

Five steps home sellers need to know to sell in a buyers market!

2008-04-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

As a real estate agent that has been in the business for many years I have learnt a few tricks to getting your home sold in a tough market.
I work in Blaauwberg, a suburb in Cape Town, South Africa.
We like the rest of the world are in the throes of a slowdown in the property market.
What are sellers to do?
Obviously the number one mistake sellers make is they come on to the market at an unrealistic price. In a tough market you need to be realistically priced from get go, otherwise you waste precious time and as the market gets tougher you end up getting into a desperate to sell situation.
Choosing a good estate agent is the first step a seller can make in getting there home sold. A good agent needs to know the market, have a strong web presence and have good selling and networking skills.
These few simple ideas will in my opinion make a huge impression on getting your home sold and will cost very little for the seller.
Step 1: Make sure your home is de cluttered! When a prospective client walks through the door they should be seeing the home not the stuff lying about. Pack stuff away and allow buyers to view your property without clutter.

Step 2: Get your home to smell good. Microwaving vanilla essence or brewing fresh coffee really get clients to feel good about your property. People use all there senses when buying a property and I have sold properties where the buyers motivation was that the home smelled good. Trust me this really works!!!

Step 3: Splurge a little money on a fresh coat of paint. Keep the colours neutral. Try paint your home just before going on market. If you cannot afford an outside paint job hire a high pressure spray gun and clean the paintwork of any dust. If your carpets are in a bad way replace them or alternatively have them professionally cleaned.

Step 4: Make sure your garden is cleaned up and the lawn freshly cut. Keep clutter at a minimum. If you have animals that make a noise then take them for a walk when clients are viewing your property Dog doodooz are a big no no and need to be cleaned up. Make sure your pool is sparkling and leaves are raked up.

Step 5: Open up your home for a viewing and make sure there is lots of light shining into your home. A dark house is a big turn off for many buyers. If your home smells great, looks good and has a sunny feel you are already 90% on the way of greatly improving the sale of your home.

Interested in some great reports on selling your home? Take a look at these reports on RE/MAX selling reports for sellers

Seller Guidance: I would encourage you to employ a professional estate agent to help you sell your home. When your agent or another agent is showing your house, go away and let them do your work for you. I also urge you to utilize my FREE SELLERS TOOLKIT
before selling your house.

Buyer Guidance: I would encourage you to really check out anything and everything you are told by a well meaning seller. Employ the services of a Buyer's Agent to help you discern what you read and listen to about the area you are thinking of calling home. I would also urge you to get AVOID BUYING ERRORS before heading out on the journey to find your new house.
To view our listings go to OUR LISTINGS
The Husband and Wife Team have won the coveted platinum award three years in a row. 2005, 2006, 2007.
Membership of the RE/MAX platinum club is one of the highest single year commission honours that Re/max bestows upon a sales associate.
Ashley and Izelle are well known estate agents that service the blaauwberg area.
There area includes, Milnerton, Melkbos, Sunset Beach, Big Bay, Parklands, Bloubergstrand and Table View.
You can check out there website at husbandandwifeteam
and there blog atOur Blog!

Interest Rates Reaction!

2008-04-14T00:46:00.000-07:00

Date:11 April 2008
JOHANNESBURG (April 10) - With CPIX inflation near 10%, and today’s 50 basis points rate hike signalling the seriousness with which the SARB takes its inflation targeting job, John Loos, FNB Home Loans Property Strategist, warns that the economy is definitely not out of the “danger zone” yet with regards to risks of further rate hikes.

As such, he advises the market to proceed with caution when involved in home purchasing and to buy in a price range well within one’s means. “Scenario planning to allow for the possibility of further interest rate hiking would be a good practice.”

Loos says today’s news is negative from a residential property market performance point of view. “Whereas we had expected rates to move sideways for the entire 2008, a scenario which I believe would have led to a gradual recovery in residential demand as from mid-year, such a recovery has in all probability been delayed considerably, and it will take substantially longer for household confidence to start recovering.”

Loos believes that today’s development begins to raise the possibility of a small period of national house price deflation, which under a sideways rates scenario he says would have been narrowly avoided.

When splitting up the market by price category, Loos believes that the combination of rate hiking and high food price inflation will bring the superior performance of the lower priced end to a close. Lower income groups face the “double-whammy” of rising interest rates as well as high food price inflation.

Food price inflation, he points out, affects lower income households worse because it consumes a higher portion of their total income.

Strongly holiday property-driven areas are probably also in for a more torrid time until such time as the interest rate cycle clearly turns.

Loos says the overall impact on home loan repayments since the start of rate hiking in June 2006 is now becoming more than significant. On a R1million house the cumulative impact of 450 basis points worth of hikes is an increase in the monthly repayment value by R3,184.

Every event brings good news, in his view, and the good news in this case is for the rental market and existing landlords. “FNB’s rental property barometer has already been pointing towards a recovering rental market, and I believe that in the current environment of uncertainty and negativity the resumption of rate hiking will be an additional boost for rental demand.”

“Many potential first time buyers would probably want to delay buying, continuing to be tenants for a little longer, while buy-tolet-buying will probably deteriorate further on the news, constraining the supply of new rental stock. The combination of constrained supply and strengthening rental demand is a great recipe for rental market recovery, and I believe that 2008 will see a considerable widening in net income yields on letting property stock.”

World Cup soccer 2010, Should you be buying Property?

2008-04-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

With the 2010 World Cup soccer being held in South Africa in 2010 property investors, speculators and property owners are keen to see what will be happening to property prices in the run up to the cup.

All over SA, we are seeing the upgrading of various infrastructure.
So far the tournament is the single biggest catalyst that is triggering major infrastructure investments in South Africa.

Major projects are underway with the multi million rand Gautrain project, the Green Point Stadium, the Coega aluminium smelter and the billions allocated to the construction of the new King Shaka International

Airport at La Mercy in KwaZulu-Natal.

Well how will this benefit property prices and when?

The first major benefit to the property industry will be demand for accomodation for corporate lettings linked to 2010 infrastructure projects.

The global slow down has recently put pressure on property prices in South Africa which had seen

phenomal growth up to mid 2007.Analysts are predicting an upswing towards the end of 2008 begining 2009.

Property agent, Ashley Den Breeijen of Re/max advises clients that are thinking of selling to hold onto there properties for at least another year.
The market is also at present ripe for the picking and investors on the lookout can snap up great deals in this current buyers market.

If you have the money buy now, according to Ashley who has years of experince in the property arena.
Post World cup will see properties still benefiting as South Africa hopefully reaps the benefits of this massive marketing coup for our country.

Ashley Den Breeijen heads up a real estate team called the Husband and Wife Team in the Blaauwberg,

Cape Town areas.
You can visit his website at www.husbandandwifeteam.com

Tax and home ownership in South Africa

2006-02-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

Tax and home ownership in South Africa ashley D

TAX AND HOME OWNERSHIP from www.husbandandwifeteam.com
Cape Town, February 2006:
These days it is seldom advantageous (from a tax point of view anyway) to register ownership of a private home in the name of a trust, close corporation or company. This has been a popular practice in the past but SARS have moved to close down the tax advantages that this practice once offered. According to RE/MAX of Southern Africa Regional Director, Bruce Swain, the advantage of the current position is that people are encouraged to simplify their affairs, so that actual control and use match legal ownership much more closely. According to RE/MAX Elite Broker/Owner and Conveyancing attorney, Grant Gunston, when one buys a property in the name of a trust, close corporation or company, one pays additional tax both when purchasing and when selling. From 1 March 2006, these entities pay a flat 8% transfer duty when purchasing (whereas private individuals pay transfer duty in accordance with a sliding scale of 0, 5 and 8%). On selling, these entities do not enjoy the exemption from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) which applies to private individuals who sell their primary residence (currently R1.5 million of the "profit"). The rate at which CGT is paid is also higher for legal entities than that which applies to private individuals, and there is the added problem of secondary tax on companies should one want to take the profits out of a company or close corporation, for use by the individual/s behind the entity. Gunston states that people were willing to pay the higher transfer duty in the past on the basis that they would make the difference back when they sell. (The theory was that by selling the company or close corporation that owned the property, they would be able to realise a higher price given that no transfer duty would be payable).
“Whether one actually achieved a higher price in practice is debateable, but in any event, the definition of "property" in the Transfer Duty Act has now been amended so that sales of legal entities that own residential property now also attract transfer duty - thus doing away with the transfer duty loophole” says Gunston. Having painted the above negative picture regarding home ownership in legal entities, it should be said that there are still valid reasons to use these entities for home ownership. A trust is appropriate for example, both as a way of protecting assets from future creditors, and also as an estate planning tool. People often have questions about how CGT applies where one claims the use of a home office as a tax expense against income, or where a portion of a home (e.g. a granny flat) is let out to tenants. This does not mean one looses the entire R1.5 million CGT exemption, but the income generating portion of the property will be liable for CGT - pro rata. Whether one qualifies for the CGT exemption is not about whether the property in question is the only property you own - it is about whether you actually live there. So it is possible for example to live in a rented flat as one's primary residence while owning a luxury home at the seaside, which one uses most weekends. The seaside home would not enjoy the CGT exemption. Occasionally income tax may be payable on the profits from the sale of a residential home - if SARS deems you to be a speculator or developer. If one buys and sells as a business, one may also be required to register as a VAT vendor and pay 14% of the selling price to SARS as VAT. Ashley D from husbandandwifeteam at remax advises to invest in specialised tax advice if this could apply to you.
About the AuthorHusband and Wife team selling property in Blaauwberg, Cape Town, South Africa for remax property associates. Check out property in blaauwberg, Cape Town at our site www. husbandandwifeteam.com

property for sale in parklands, Blaauwberg, blouberg. Cape Town.

2006-02-24T04:05:00.000-08:00

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Check photos at www.husbandandwifeteam.com

Price R699 000
Details
Type: Residential Style: Duplex "freestanding modern" Bedrooms: 4 "3 bedrooms + study" Bathrooms: 3 "guest loo downstairs" Garage: Double "remote access" Size: 114 m² "loads of space" Lot Type: Rectangular Lot Size: 200 m²

Description
Extremely neat freestanding duplex in blaauwberg, Parklands.Home consisits of 4 rooms, a lounge diningroom, double garage, 3 bathrooms, outside braai area, and in a security complex.Neat garden and with views of table mountain

Highlights
▪ freestanding and exceptionally neat!
▪ Open plan kitchen , seperate lounge and diningroom.
▪ Double garage and neat garden and braai room!
▪ In cental position in Parklands, blaauwberg, Cape Town.
▪ Low maintenance and ideal lock up and go.Very spacious
Features
Interior Features
▪ Carpeted Floors
Lot Features
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Patio
▪ Trees / Shrubs
View
▪ City Lights
▪ Hills
▪ Mountain View
Extra Features
▪ Controlled Access
▪ Garage Door Opener
▪ Pets Allowed

Well priced home for sale in Parklands, Blaauwberg, Cape Town

2006-02-20T02:34:00.000-08:00

View pics at www.husbandandwifeteam.com

Price R959 000

Details
Type: Recreational Style: Single Story "modern home!" Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 "italian finishes" Garage: Double "remote controled" Size: 122 m² Lot Type: Rectangular

Description
Want a home with excellent finishes!This home has 3 bedroomns two bathrooms, all with italian taps and fixtures, open plan kitchen with granite tops seperate scullery also with granite tops and italian taps.Gas undercover stove completes the kitchen.Bedrooms are tastefully laminated and main bedroom has aircon.Down lighters in entertainment room and lounge plus aircon plus indoor braai complete the picture!The plot is large and there is loads of space if you wanted to expand your home.This home will sell fast, call now!

Highlights
▪ Aircon in lounge and main bedroom.
▪ granite tops and italian gas stove and exspensive finishes in kitchen!
▪ bedrooms all with bics and laminate floors.
Features
Interior Features
▪ Carpeted Floors
▪ Fireplace
Lot Features
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
View
▪ Hills
▪ Park
Extra Features
▪ Garage Door Opener
▪ Pets Allowed
Cooling
▪ Window / Wall Unit

Property in blaauwberg, Parklands, Cape Town

2006-02-20T02:11:00.000-08:00

Check more photos at husbandandwifeteam

Price R1 149 000
Details
Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 "both full, with skylight!" Garage: Double "remote" Size: 168 m² "loads of entertainment areas" Lot Type: Rectangular Lot Size: 516 m²

Description
This house shows a decorator's touch! This home offers 3 spacious bedrooms with built in cupboards and is tiled neatly right through. Enjoy the inviting open plan kitchen with modern white finishes and scullery. There are 2 bathrooms of which both have corner baths and showers and skylights bringing in ample light. There are 3 receptions rooms with excellent flows. The open plan kitchen flows into a dining area and then into a formal lounge. This opens into a braai room entertainment area and from there french doors lead into the pool area. The pool is an attractive dark gunite solar panel heated pool. Eat your heart out!

Highlights
▪ Table mountain views!
▪ Entertainment area in wind free area!
▪ Braai room, leading onto pool!
Features
Interior Features
▪ Carpeted Floors
▪ Fireplace
▪ Skylights
Lot Features
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Swimming Pool
▪ Trees / Shrubs
View
▪ City Lights
▪ Mountain View
▪ Park

Blaauwberg, Parklands home for sale. R1099 000

2005-11-24T05:03:00.000-08:00

Details
Type: Residential
Style: Single Story "European styled"
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Garage: Double, Attached "remote"
Size: 160 m² "loads of space"
Lot Type: Rectangular Lot Size: 550 m²

Description
Private paradise! immaculate modern home 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Spacious living area with fireplace Dining area with sliding door to patio wind free patio with pool Stunning water feature in garden. Borehole water and landscaped garden which is immaculate!

Highlights
▪ Bar built into pool, serve drinks and sit around pool at bar1
▪ lanscaped garden with stunning water features
Features
Exterior Finish
▪ Aluminum-Steel
Extra Features
▪ Garage Door Opener
Lot Features
▪ Fenced
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Swimming Pool
▪ Trees / Shrubs

Parklands, Blauuwberg R699 000

2005-11-24T04:50:00.000-08:00

Details
Type: Residential
Style: Triplex "Loft In Roof!" Bedrooms: 3 "With ensuite!"
Bathrooms: 3
Garage: Single
Size: 115 m² "Lots Of space!"
Lot Type: Rectangular

Description
Stunning Triplex with views of table mountain.Situated in a secure village with remote access.Excellent finishes throughout, stainless steel oven and hob, stainless steel plugs, etc.Lounge leads onto small garden with water feature and garden lights.Upstairs is a large loft which can be used as study or bedroom.Main bed room has ensuite.

Highlights
▪ Excellent mountain views!
▪ Water feature in magical garden!
▪ In security complex and freestanding, no levies!
▪ immaculate finishes throughout!
Features
Interior Features
▪ Alarm System
▪ Skylights
Lot Features
▪ Fenced
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Trees / Shrubs
Roof
▪ Spanish / Clay Tile
Extra Features
▪ Pets Allowed
▪ Satellite Dish
View
▪ City Lights
▪ Mountain View
▪ Panoramic

blaauwberg bachelor flats: From R480 000

2005-11-15T01:30:00.000-08:00

Details
Type: Condo Style: Apartment
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Garage: Single, Detached
Size: 28 m²
Lot Type: Rectangular

Description
neat sea facing bachelor flat! Walk to the beach garge included in price!

Highlights
▪ sea views and table mountain views!
▪ In the heart of Baauwberg, one road from beach
▪ ideal for investor!
Features
View
▪ Mountain View
▪ Ocean View

Parklands, blaauwberg R949 000

2005-11-15T01:24:00.000-08:00

Details
Type: Residential
Style: Single Story
Bedrooms: 3 "all with bics"
Bathrooms: 2 "full bathrooms"
Garage: Double "remote" Size: 160 m² Lot Type: Rectangular Lot Size: 550 m² Taxes: R300.00

Description
Modern 3 bed room home,close proximity to shops. Garden has sprinkler system and very neat. Open plan kitchen, with seperate sculley and has lots of space. Double garage has direct access and both doors are remotely opened. home is completly walled,and all windows are aluminium. Iounge leads onto indoor braai and entertainment area.

Highlights
▪ Close to shops and walking distance to gym!!
▪ Modern street appeal with large garden.
▪ Open plan kitchen, with seperate sculley and has lots of space.
▪ large enclosed entertainment area and braai area, ideal for entertaining.
Features
Interior Features
▪ Alarm System
Lot Features
▪ Fenced
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Trees / Shrubs
Roof
▪ Metal
Extra Features
▪ Garage Door Opener
▪ Satellite Dish
▪ Underground Sprinklers

Youngsters snap up properties in Parklands,blaauwberg

2005-11-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

Cape Town - National property sales data shows buyers are seeking "value" homes, with Parklands in the Western Cape cranking up the most sales for September.

According to latest stats of the South Africa Property Transfer Guide (SAPTG), the highest volume of sales for the month of September in the country was in Parklands where 145 sales cranked up values totaling R77m.

Weltevreden Park, just north west of Johannesburg, experienced the second highest amount of sales in the country, coming in with a total of 53 in September.

The SAPTG refers to those driving the property market in these areas as the "Terracotta Terraces" set.

He decribes these buyers as typically young, techno savvy, with 7 out of 10 of these youngsters owning the homes they live in.

"Their homes are small but have generally been built in the last decade. This is the single, technikon-educated sector who has the highest percentage of employed people with relatively high incomes, despite their age."

Geffen says both Parklands and Weltevreden Park are situated a 20 to 25 minutes from the metropole areas which means that there is still plenty of space for development and new, affordable cluster homes are mushrooming.

In Weltevreden Park, a well-maintained, leafy suburb, properties in the R550 000 range have been snapped up because of their "amazing value", says Sotheby's Lyn Petzer.

"One can typically get a small but comfortable sectional title with garden for this price, which is unheard of in places like Sandton where one will typically pay R1.3m for the same unit," she says.

"Older, free standing homes also offer incredible value. A three bedroomed home on a 1000m² stand will typically sell for around R1m."

Sotheby's Susan van Aswegen says Parklands is a vibrant, developing area which offers great affordability.

"You can buy a three bedroom cluster with a small garden for R600 000. A 57m² for R460 000.

"The most expensive free standing home in Parklands will cost around R1.8m."

Van Aswegen says middle-income buyers can no longer afford prices closer to town.

"If you buy a house for R2m in the City Bowl, bond repayments generally cost around R20 000 a month, whereas a R1.3m house in Parklands will cost you around R13 000 a month, which leaves young buyers with cash to spend on themselves and their property.

"Affordability is going to drive the property market over the next few years."

The Parklands area started being developed in 1998 and since then has grown tremendously.

A Woolworths is opening in Parklands next March after the success of the Woolworths food store at West Coast Village shopping area that opened a year ago in Sunningdale and we have a Medi Clinic and NetCare clinic as well as several good schools

blaauwberg property investing

2005-10-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

An update on property in south africa.
South Africa has recently experienced unbeleivable growth in the property market in the past 3 years.The last 6 months has seen a stabilisation of prices as affordability has made it difficult for investors and first time home buyers to enter the market, however interest rates are at an all time low and recent inflation data has been very positive even with oil prices having there influence. In a long term synopsis i beleive prices will rally, as Cape Town and south africa head for the world cup soccer, and that prices are not exspensive compared to the rest of the world. ie an average 2 bedroom flat near the beach costs approx 75000 usd.
and a beachfront apartment approx 100 000 usd.
I personally own 4 properties and work in cape town in the property market for remax.
If you are interested about property in south africa and need info, then contact me
http://www.husbandandwifeteam.com

Technorati Profile

2005-10-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Technorati Profile

a book you must read!

2005-10-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent book to read, i would recommend this book to anyone who wants to make money out of investing, especially property

Property in Parklands,Cape Town,South Africa

2005-10-05T01:04:00.000-07:00

Price: R1595 000

Details
Type: Residential Style: Single Story "double volume tuscan" Bedrooms: 4 "large master" Bathrooms: 2 "both full" Garage: Double "automated" Size: 250 m² Lot Type: Rectangular Lot Size: 800 m²

Description
Tuscan style!! Stunning 4 bed room home in Quiet close in Parklands, Cape Town. Loads of entertainment areas with kitchen ideally situated in open plan enviroment. Double automated garage has direct access into main home. Kitchen has granite tops and seperate scullery. Large chlorinated pool in garden and jacuzzi. Braai area is undercover,ideal for entertaining!

Highlights
▪ Large plot!! loads of space!
▪ Awsome entertainment area, all undercover.
▪ Double volume ceilings at entrance and lounge.
▪ Granite tops in large kitchen with seperate scullery.
Features
Interior Features
▪ Alarm System
▪ Hot Tub / Spa
Lot Features
▪ Fenced
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Shed
▪ Swimming Pool
▪ Trees / Shrubs
Roof
▪ Spanish / Clay Tile
Extra Features
▪ Garage Door Opener

property in flamingo vlei, Table View, Cape Town

2005-10-05T00:57:00.000-07:00

Price R2350 000
Details
Type: Residential Style: 2 Story Bedrooms: 4 "plus study" Bathrooms: 3 Garage: Triple "56 m2 extra large" Size: 324 m² Lot Type: Rectangular Lot Size: 850 m² Year Built: 2005 "new"

Description
TUSCANY STYLE HOME WITH VIEWS TABLE MOUNTAIN & VLEI 3 Bedrooms, main bedroom with en-suite, 2 bathrooms, Separate Entrance Teen Pad with ensuite 5 Reception rooms TV room wired for projector screen and surround sound Upstairs 36m2 Entertainment room with stunning views of the Bird Sanctuary and the Vlei. Gourmet Kitchen with Stainless steel and Cherry wood finishes, Double Eye level oven with Hob and Extractor Fan & Granite tops, Huge Scullery with space for all your appliances Double Door Fridge, Chest Freezer Top loader washing machine, Tumble Dryer and a must the Dishwasher. Easy to maintain garden with stone & paving slabs grass around the pool with stunning rose garden, water Feature in back garden and front entrance very Tranquil Tiled roof, Pool, Borehole pump for irrigation

Highlights
▪ Kitchen Defy Double Eye Level Oven, 600 hob (Defy) PC allowance @ R6 000 Floor area to be tiled @ R80p/m2 Wall Tiles @ R80pm2
▪ Scullery Floor Tiles same as Kitchen @ R80p/m2 Walls skimmed and sealed
Features
Interior Features
▪ Fireplace
▪ Wine Storage
View
▪ City Lights
▪ Mountain View
▪ Panoramic
Roof
▪ Spanish / Clay Tile
Lot Features
▪ Fenced
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Front Porch
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Swimming Pool
▪ Trees / Shrubs

Home for sale parklands cape town

2005-09-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

Click on photo!

Details Price R999 000
Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 3 "all with bics, neat large" Bathrooms: 2 "full" Garage: Double "remote" Size: 160 m² Lot Size: 550 m² Has Suite: Yes Taxes: R300.00

Description
Very neat 3 bedroomed home in parklands This home has neat flows and large bedrooms Large entertainment area with braai room, Safe area and very close to ll amenities

Features
Lot Features
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Swimming Pool
▪ Trees / Shrubs

just registered with blogstreet

2005-09-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

Check this out

visit to ostrich farm at cape town

2005-09-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

Our blogs listed at
We recently visited the westcoast ostrich farm near blauuwberg.
It is 10 mins from Tableview on the n7 malmesbury.
Its a great place to go for a sunday breakfast and close to Cape Town.
Check out these photos I took of ostriches and peacocks.

modern home in parklands for sale

2005-09-21T04:23:00.000-07:00

Modern home in Parklands

Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 3 "all with bics" Bathrooms: 2 "full bathrooms" Garage: Double "remote" Size: 160 m² Lot Type: Rectangular Lot Size: 550 m² Taxes: R300.00

Description
Modern 3 bed room home,close proximity to shops. Garden has sprinkler system and very neat. Open plan kitchen, with seperate sculley and has lots of space. Double garage has direct access and both doors are remotely opened. home is completly walled,and all windows are aluminium. Iounge leads onto indoor braai and entertainment area.

Highlights
▪ Close to shops and walking distance to gym!!
▪ Modern street appeal with large garden.
▪ Open plan kitchen, with seperate sculley and has lots of space.
▪ large enclosed entertainment area and braai area, ideal for entertaining.
Features
Interior Features
▪ Alarm System
Lot Features
▪ Fenced
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Trees / Shrubs
Roof
▪ Metal
Extra Features
▪ Garage Door Opener
▪ Satellite Dish
▪ Underground Sprinklers

property market is not about to collapse

2005-09-18T01:41:00.000-07:00

Property market is not about to collapse - Rode
September 17, 2005By Charlene ClaytonThe residential property market in South Africa is not about to collapse, despite the fact that property prices have shot through the roof since 2002, Erwin Rode, a property economist, says.Rode was speaking at the annual conference of Rode & Associates held in Johannesburg and Cape Town recently.The price of residential property is at an historic peak, Rode says, describing house prices as "very expensive" compared with those during the previous property booms of 1984 and 1970. Another factor indicating that property prices are at "dangerously" high levels is that it costs significantly more to buy an existing house than to build the same house, Rode says.A comparison of the prices of old houses with those of new houses indicates that, after making adjustments for the age of existing houses, old houses are about 20 percent above their replacement cost, he says.The growth in house prices has significantly outstripped the growth in the consumers' income, and, as long as the banks limit lending (by restricting you to a loan on which the repayments do not exceed 30 percent of your income), the inability of consumers to afford property will place a ceiling on house prices, Rode says.House prices cannot continue to grow at the rates that have been experienced over the past three years, he says, and there is already evidence that the growth in house prices is slowing (see below "Going down").So, you should be careful if you are considering investing in the residential market. If you are intent on investing in this market segment, bear in mind that prices in the lower-priced suburbs have not run as hard as in the higher-priced suburbs, Rode says.Another speaker at the conference, Cees Bruggemans, the chief economist at First National Bank, says he expects interest rates to ease another two to four percentage points in the coming decade, and this should boost house prices. As long as interest rates do not rise dramatically, he says house prices should rise by about 10 to 12 percent a year.Although the levels of affordability (household debt relative to income) have deteriorated over the past few years, he says, affordability has not yet been pushed to unsustainable levels.Commercial alternativesRode says there are currently better investment options than residential property. There is plenty of growth to come from the commercial property market, which is segmented into the retail and industrial markets and office space.In the case of office space, Rode says, both vacancy levels and rentals have been decreasing over the past three years. When there are few or no vacant offices left to rent, Rode says, rentals will increase substantially as the demand overtakes the supply.Rode says for developers to make a 20 percent return on their capital from a new office building, they require a gross rental of R105 a square metre a month. This implies that office rentals will have to increase by 40 percent from their current levels.
top.
The boom in the industrial property market has already started, and this market continues to offer promising returns, Rode says.The best-performing property type in South Africa over the past 30 years has been the shopping centre, he says. Retail sales are still growing at about five percent a year, and South Africans are big spenders - factors which will continue to support the retail property market.He says individual investors who want exposure to the commercial property market can invest in property unit trusts (PUTs), which are collective investment schemes listed on the JSE. Rode says PUTs are poised to deliver attractive returns in future, because there is potential for their cash flow (from rentals) to grow significantly and for this market to be re-rated further.He says if you invest in a R1 million house - now regarded as the price of a house in the middle market - you can expect an annual yield (in other words, the rental return as a percentage of your investment) of about four percent. By contrast, Rode says, listed property (which focuses on commercial and industrial property rather than residential property) will give you an annual yield of about eight to 10 percent before income tax.Support for the marketBruggemans says the factors that will support the demand for housing, and hence the property market, include:
South Africans' income is likely to increase by, on average, at least nine percent a year for the foreseeable future. With an expected inflation rate of about four percent a year, an annual growth of nine percent indicates a real growth in income of about five percent a year.
At least another eight to 10 million people will drift to the country's cities over the coming generation. Also, it is likely that more people will immigrate to South Africa than emigrate from this country.
The scarcity of serviced land, due to the inability of municipalities to provide re-zoned land for residential use fast enough.
Social trends, such as rising divorce rates, the increasing tendency for adults to live on their own, and the popularity among higher- and even middle-income earners of owning second homes.
The demand for property investments.Going downAccording to the latest research from Absa Group Economic Research, house prices increased in real terms by 23 percent year-on-year during the first six months of 2005.Jacques du Toit, a senior economist at Absa, says although the growth in house prices was still relatively strong during January to June this year, prices have been declining (in real and nominal terms) since the third quarter of 2004.

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blogosphere is here

2005-09-18T01:38:00.000-07:00

The 'blogosphere' is here
September 16, 2005 A new Google specialty search engine sifts through the internet's millions of frequently updated personal journals, a long-anticipated development expected to help propel "blogging" into the cultural mainstream.The new tool, unveiled at blogsearch.google.com, focuses exclusively on the material contained in the journals known as web logs, or "blogs".Mountain View-based Google, the internet's general search engine leader, first set its sights on blogs with its 2003 acquisition of a small startup called Blogger that makes software to publish and manage the journals.Since that deal, Google had been expected to build a blogging-focused search engine - a mission finally accomplished by a group of developers in the company's New York office."There really has been a need for a world-class search product to expose this dynamic content to a worldwide audience," said Jason Goldman, who came to Google in the Blogger deal and is now the company's product manager for blogging search.Over the past two years, blogs have become an increasingly popular vehicle for sharing opinions and information, sometimes breaking news and more often prodding the mainstream media into reconsidering how it has handled some big stories.The first word of Google's new searching tool was, in fact, disseminated by a blog.

A few people have been able to make a living largely off their blogs, or parlay them into book deals. Blogs also have been a source of embarrassment and angst, resulting in the firings of several workers, including a Google product manager, who angered their employers with revelations posted on their sites.No one knows for certain just how big the so-called "blogo-sphere" has become. Technorati, the niche's top search engine so far, says it indexes 17.1 million sites spanning about 1.5 billion links.Goldman declined to disclose the size of Google's blogging index.Despite blogging's steady growth, its appeal has remained narrow, skewing primarily to younger audiences and technological trendsetters.Google said the tool would allow searches not just for blogs written in English but also in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese and other languages.By focusing exclusively on blog feeds, Google theoretically will be able to deliver fresher and more relevant results.In Wednesday posting on his blog, Technorati founder David Sifry welcomed Google's competition, describing it as "a validation moment for the blogosphere" and promising to counter with "some tricks up our sleeves". - Sapa

About our company!

2005-09-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

RE/MAX Real Estate - Cape Town
We're the Real Estate Leaders. No one in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX.
RE/MAX at a glance:
Who we areWhat began in Denver, Colo., in 1973 as "a pad of paper and a dream" is now a global real estate franchise network that spreads across 39 countries and eight territories, on six continents.
Network sizeThe revolutionary RE/MAX Concept of enabling real estate professionals to maximize their business potential has evolved into an organization of more than 72,000 Sales Associates in more than 4,200 offices worldwide.
RE/MAX Sales AssociatesRE/MAX Associates, on average, lead the industry in production, experience, and professional designations.
The RE/MAX Balloon logoThe red, white and blue RE/MAX Balloon, with its "Above the Crowd!®"slogan, is one of the most recognizable business logos in the world. With nearly 90 RE/MAX Hot Air Balloons around the globe, RE/MAX has the world's largest balloon fleet.
An industry leaderRE/MAX is the No. 1 real estate organization in Canada and in the United States.
Global expansionThe first RE/MAX region outside the United States and Canada was the Caribbean Basin, opened in 1991. It was followed two years later by RE/MAX of Mexico. In 1995, RE/MAX expanded into Southern Africa, Spain, Israel, Italy,and Germany. Since then, RE/MAX regions have become established in across Europe, in Asia, and in Australia.
Record RE/MAX production In 1999, RE/MAX Associates were involved in more than 1 million sales transaction sides within a single year in the United States alone – an industry milestone. The audited production figures represent the most transaction sides in a single year ever recorded by any real estate network. The RE/MAX network has repeated the feat ever since.
The RE/MAX ConceptRE/MAX stands for "real estate maximums."
In exchange for paying a management fee and a share of the monthly office overhead, RE/MAX Associates keep the maximum allowed amount of their commissions and receive the many benefits of RE/MAX programs and services.
By offering Associates maximum commissions and maximum career freedom, RE/MAX influenced competitors to re-examine and adjust their own policies toward sales agents, thus dramatically changing the industry.
As the network grew, renowned for its top producers and quality service to consumers, so did support programs, making RE/MAX a dynamic force in real estate education and technology.
The organization was one of the first real estate companies to have its own proprietary television network and one of the first in the industry to develop a site on the World Wide Web.
Committed to real estate serviceIn a business environment of mergers and acquisitions, RE/MAX is the only major real estate network still owned and directed by its founders.
RE/MAX commitment to its membership has led to an ever-increasing number of accolades from the business community at large, including selection of RE/MAX as the best in the business. In its annual ranking of top franchises, Entrepreneur magazine named RE/MAX the number one real estate services franchise in 2000. On the consumer front, Worth magazine honored RE/MAX in both 1999 and 2000 with its prestigious "Readers' Choice" award as the best real estate brokerage.
More than 29 Years Above the CrowdRE/MAX - now an established industry leader - will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the 2003 RE/MAX International Convention. Young in years but mature in experience, RE/MAX looks ahead to even greater development and success in its next quarter century.

Community Involvement
Community involvement is highly valued at all levels of the RE/MAX organization - from individual Associates to RE/MAX offices, regions, and RE/MAX International.
RE/MAX cause marketing and charity fund raising take on many forms:
Most recently, RE/MAX has become a national co-sponsor of the Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program at Komen Race for the Cure® events.
The RE/MAX organization has been the official real estate sponsor of the Children's Miracle Network since 1992.
Each year, about 20 charities host fund-raising golf tournaments at Sanctuary, the private course of RE/MAX International co-founders Dave and Gail Liniger.
RE/MAX International is the first major sponsor of The Wildlife Experience, a conservation and community center promoting understanding of the natural world and its conservation through art and education.
All these venues and more represent the RE/MAX network's commitment to community involvement, serving the public beyond its real estate needs.

About South Africa

2005-09-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to South Africa
About South Africa
officially Republic of South Africa, republic (1995 est. pop. 45,095,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. It borders on the Atlantic Ocean in the west, on Namibia in the northwest, on Botswana and Zimbabwe in the north, on Mozambique and Swaziland in the northeast, and on the Indian Ocean in the east and south. The largest city is Johannesburg . Cape Town is the legislative capital, Pretoria the administrative capital, and Bloemfontein the judicial capital.
People
The population of South Africa is 75% black (African) and 13% white (European), with about 9% people of mixed white, Malay, and black descent (formerly called “Coloured” ), and 3% of Asian (mostly Indian) background. Although these ethnic divisions were rigidly enforced under the policy of apartheid [Afrikaans,apartness], racial distinctions are often arbitrary. People of African descent fall into several groups, based on their first language. South Africa has 11 official languages, nine of which are indigenousZulu, Xhosa, Tswana, Sotho, Swazi, Venda, Ndebele, Pedi, and Tsonga. Many blacks also speak Afrikaans (the first language of about 60% of the whites and the majority of those of mixed race) or English (the first language of most of the rest of the nonblacks).About 68% of the population is Christian; major groups include the Dutch Reformed, Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, and Zionist churches.
Resources
The main industrial centers are Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth , Durban , Pretoria, and Germiston . The principal manufactures include processed food, beverages (including wine), textiles, clothing, forest products, chemicals, iron and steel, metal products, machinery, and motor vehicles. South Africa is a world leader in the production of gold, diamonds, aluminosilicates, chromium, manganese, vanadium, and platinum. Other leading minerals extracted are copper ore, coal, asbestos, iron ore, silver, and titanium. Uranium is also mined.
Government
South Africa is a federal state. Until 1994 it was governed by the white minority with minimal mixed-race and Asian representation and virtually no black representation. In Apr., 1994, the country became a fully multiracial democracy, under an interim constitution; a permanent constitution was adopted in 1996. It provides for a strong central government headed by a president, who is elected for a five-year term and serves as both the chief of state and head of government. The bicameral parliament consists of a 400-member National Assembly, which is elected by proportional representation, and a 90-seat National Council of Provinces (formerly the Senate), which is elected by the nine provincial legislatures. Legislators serve five-year terms. The leading political parties are the African National Congress, the predominantly white Democratic party and New National party, and the Zulu-based Inkhata Freedom party.

About what we do!

2005-09-16T07:29:00.001-07:00

HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM AT RE/MAX PROPERTY ASSOCIATES, CAPE TOWN

Welcome to RE/MAX PROPERTY ASSOCIATES, your source for Cape Town real estate.We specialise in selling properties in the Blouberg, Blauuwberg, Sunningdale,Sunset Beach, Tableview, Parklands, West Beach, Atlantic Beach. Melkbos, Milnerton, Flamingo Vlei area.
If you own property that you're thinking of selling, we would be happy to provide you with a FREE Home Evaluation.
Whether you are buying or selling a home, hire someone like us, who wants to earn your business.We invite you to contact us as we would be happy to assist you with this important transaction.
In addition, if you have any general questions about buying or selling property in Cape Town, please contact us as we are more than willing to help.
Please browse our website for listings, reports and important local real estate information.
Izelle's CELL 0832294602
Ashley's CELL 0843533829

2005-09-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

New home in Parklands

2005-09-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Home in Parklands R1395 000
Details
Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Garage: Double Size: 170 m² Lot Size: 598 m²

Description
This house shows a decorator's touch! A double volume entrance leads you into this immaculate home. This home offers you 4 bedrooms with bics and trackless carpeting. Enjoy an open plan kitchen with light cherry wood cupboards and granite tops - scullery separate. Two full bathrooms with his and her basins in the main and skylights above both baths. This home is truly north facing and sun facing windows have fitted sun filter. Open plan dining room and lounge opens up on patio with built in braai and mainicured garden. A seperate private lounge also leads into garden.

Features
Lot Features
▪ Fenced
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Trees / Shrubs
Extra Features
▪ Garage Door Opener
▪ Pets Allowed
▪ Satellite Dish

Property just listed in Atlantic Beach

2005-09-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Atlantic beach R1895 000

Type: Residential Style: Single Story Size: 174 m²

Features
View
▪ Golf Course
Extra Features
▪ Intercom
▪ Satellite Dish
▪ Security Guard on Duty
Lot Features
▪ Fenced
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Swimming Pool
▪ Trees / Shrubs

Property just listed in Bloubergrandt!

2005-09-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

Type: Residential Style: 2 Story Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 "full" Garage: Triple Size: 300 m² Lot Size: 1000 hectares Has Suite: Yes

Description
Bloubergrant, R2 590 000 A HOME TO SHOW OFF! Great location! This double storey home has it all, large bedrooms all with tv connections, remote roof fans, cupboards with canopies and down lights, panel heaters and more! Floating basin cabinets, travertine tiles and corner baths standard in both bathrooms. A beautiful entrance takes you into a solid imported Oregon kitchen with top quality appliances. Extra large lounge dining area with large built in fireplace and a separate braai room with solid wood countertops make this ideal for entertainers. A large beautifully landscaped garden with established trees complete the picture. .Phone us now to view!

Features
Interior Features
▪ Alarm System
▪ Ceiling Fan
▪ Fireplace
▪ Skylights
Heating
▪ Wall Unit
Roof
▪ Metal
Lot Features
▪ Fenced Yard
▪ Garden Area
▪ Landscaped
▪ Lawn
▪ Patio
▪ Trees / Shrubs
Appliances
▪ Hood Fan
▪ Stove
Extra Features
▪ Balcony
▪ Garage Door Opener
▪ Intercom
▪ Pets Allowed
▪ Satellite Dish
▪ Underground Sprinklers

Property just listed in Table View

2005-09-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

We have just listed a property in Tableview,Cape Town for R629 000
Details
Type: Residential Style: Townhouse Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 "full bathroom" Size: 87 m² Lot Type: Rectangular

Description
This free standing home is a perfect starter home. The kitchen is open plan with a large open plan dining room area. Ideal for entertaining. The lounge has a built in fireplace with a beautiful concrete mantel piece. The home is approx. 87 square meters. The bedrooms have new carpets. The rest of the house has terracotta tiles. The bathroom has bath and seperate shower. The garden is fully irrigated and has a wendy house for extra storage.

Highlights
▪ Large entertainment area!
Features
Interior Features
▪ Fireplace
Extra Features
▪ Pets Allowed
▪ Underground Sprinklers
Appliances
▪ Stove

Introduction to husband and wife team

2005-09-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

Are you looking to invest in property in Cape Town.
Please visit our website at http://www.husbandandwifeteam.com
We are a husband and wife team selling property in the blauuwberg area.
We specialise in selling properties in the Blouberg, Blauuwberg, Sunningdale,Sunset Beach, Table view, Parklands, West Beach, Atlantic Beach. Melkbos, Milnerton, Flamingo Vlei area.
We work at RE/MAX property associates and combined offer a unique service in our area.
Please contact us if you are thinking of buying or selling a property!
Ashley D cell 0843533829 Izelle 0832294602
We will be updating our blog with property trends in Cape Town and will be featuring properties that are for sale!, so stay tuned.