THIS WEEK
The general consensus among the vast majority of many reputable estate agents is that the residential property market is now on a recovery path and that some economists' forecasts could prove overly pessimistic. Read this very informative article. |
SA property beats the World - Iafrica.com, 28 January 2013
Among his friends and business associates, says Bill Rawson, Chairman of the Rawson Property Group, there are several who have invested in residential properties overseas in the last year or two — especially in Europe and the UK.
There is, says Rawson, a certain logic in this as many European homes are still at low price levels (for example; Spain’s house prices are down by 24.3 percent since the fourth quarter of 2007). "Any home purchase in the southern half of Europe is likely to represent good value at the moment," said Rawson.
Nevertheless, he says, such purchases will, he believes, be financially unsatisfactory because European growth prospects in the foreseeable future are dismal.
"Such homes can, of course, provide good holiday accommodation and, in the event of the rand destabilising, could gain significant value. However, what they really represent is a bolt hole and they provide another choice to the owners should the SA economy go bottoms up. From a financial point of view they are very definitely a long term prospect."
Rawson drew attention to the Home Truths article, published in the 12 January 2013 issue of The Economist, which, he said, shows that South African home prices, in 2012, performed significantly better than those of 85 percent of the world’s developed countries. Read more... |
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| Weekly E-News |  | | MARKET TRENDS | One in four of the unemployed without work for more than five years - Moneyweb, 31 January 2013
A quarter of unemployed people have been looking for work for more than five years, and a further 40% have been out of work for at least a year according to the latest South Africa Survey, published by the South African Institute of Race Relations in Johannesburg last week.
Increase in corporate credit seen as engine of 2013 growth - Business Day, 31 January 2013
Growth in borrowing by households and private companies accelerated more than expected last month from December 2011, to the highest rate of expansion in almost four years, Reserve Bank figures showed on Wednesday.
Eskom increases ‘will ruin economy’, says chamber of commerce - Business Day, 31 January 2013
Power utility Eskom’s proposed 16%-a-year increases to electricity prices for the next five years would devastate the economy and inflate South Africa’s stubbornly high unemployment rate, the South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Sacci) told the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) public hearings in Gauteng on Wednesday.
Private Credit growth faster than expected - Business Day, 30 January 2013
Credit extension to the private sector (PSCE) grew faster than expected in December, accelerating to 10.09% year on year from 9.59% in November‚ Reserve Bank figures released on Wednesday showed.
Threats facing SA property investors - Property24, 30 January 2013
Many South African investors make major mistakes when investing in property offshore either because they do not research properly or partner with the wrong people. |
| | GENERAL PROPERTY NEWS | The city that Donnie built - Property24, 31 January 2013
Almost 40 years ago, in 1973, Liberty Life and its founder Donald Gordon (‘Donnie’) built what would become one of the most successful and innovative buildings in the world, a place that would set the standard for shopping worldwide, Sandton City.
Separating and joint bond - options? - Property24, 31 January 2013
A Property24 reader asks: A reader says a friend in a traditional marriage with a joint home loan is in the process of separating, but her partner refuses to sell the house. What are her options?
A friend is in a traditional marriage with a joint bond and they are in the process of separating, however, her partner refuses to sell the house. Are there options my friend can explore?
HOAs and the end of transition period - Property24, 31 January 2013
What does the end of the transition period for compliance with the new Companies Act mean for Home Owners' Associations?
Cape Town wins R48m contracts, a boost for hotels and leisure industry - eProp, 29 January 2013
As a result of a collaborative effort by the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and the Cape Town Convention Bureau, Cape Town has won two international conference bids. The recent wins will jointly contribute R 48 million to the city’s coffers. |
| | RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY NEWS | Key factors for buying a holiday home - Property24, 31 January 2013
For many families it’s a cherished dream to own a holiday home at the coast. But there are factors to consider when acquiring such a property, to ensure you make a wise decision that will provide you not only with years of leisure enjoyment, but also a sound investment in the medium to long term - and perhaps even a home to retire to in the future.
'House prices to fall in 2013' - Iafrica.com, 30 January 2013
A third consecutive year of real house price declines is forecast for this year‚ Absa property analyst Jacques du Toit said on Tuesday.
Home buying racial demographics - Iafrica.com, 30 January 2013
Since 2005, the total percentage of White suburban home buyers has been higher than other racial groups, according to the FNB Estate Agent Survey Q4 2012.
Low interest rates and home buying - Property24, 30 January 2013
Despite interest from new home buyers, the property sales deals being concluded remain low even with interest rates still at their lowest levels.
Demand for homes near top Cape schools - Property24, 30 January 2013
The matric results highlight the significance of choosing a school for one’s children as a factor influencing family buyers when selecting a home.
Pam Golding Properties optimistic regarding Residential Property Market in 2013 - eProp, 25 January 2013
From a residential property market perspective, the historically low interest rate, which has remained relatively stable in recent years, serves as a confidence booster for home buyers, particularly those with mortgage bonds and who continue to feel the impact of rising energy, fuel and food costs. |
| | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NEWS | Fais Ombud finds Sharemax directors liable for investor's loss - Moneyweb, 31 January 2013
Fais Ombud Noluntu Bam has found four Sharemax directors liable for an investor’s loss. The determination is unusual because it is normally only financial advisers who are held liable for bad investment advice.
Retail Giant Pick n Pay sets trend for developing stand alone retail centres - eProp, 31 January 2013
The retailer has developed two new stand-alone retail centres in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal and in Little Falls, Roodepoort, Johannesburg.
Retailers report record December sales - Property24, 30 January 2013
Located north of Johannesburg in Bryanston, the Nicolway Bryanston shopping centre, which opened in April, reports that it achieved record turnovers in December 2012 as customer’s baskets were seen full to the brim.
Manufacturing recovery good news for Commercial Property - eProp, 29 January 2013
The recent recovery of the UK manufacturing industry is good news for the commercial property sector, according to property consultants D&P Holt. |
| | LISTED PROPERTY NEWS | Capital Property Fund increases distributions by 6.32% - eProp, 31 January 2013
Property unit trust Capital Property Fund reported on Wednesday a 6.32% increase in total distributions to 69.78c per unit for the year ended December 31.
Listed Property moves up despite weak rand, bond rates - eProp, 29 January 2013
South Africa’s listed property sector has started 2013 by climbing 4% in just the first three weeks of trading. The sector climbed 0.60% during the week ending 25 January 2013, despite significant rand weakness and an increase in bond yields.
Marc Wainer: Good growth ahead for SA Listed Property in 2013 - eProp, 28 January 2013
South African listed property outperformed local bonds, equities and cash in 2012. Marc Wainer, CEO of Redefine Properties, says that 2013 will be another good year for listed property but it is unlikely to match the outperformance of 2012.
Flax resigns as non-executive Director of Redefine Properties - eProp, 25 January 2013
Redefine Properties today announced that Mike Flax has tendered his resignation as Non-executive Director of Redefine. Flax plans to focus on his personal property interests. |
| | ESTATE AGENT NEWS | Just Invest exceeds sales expectations - Property24, 31 January 2013
Just Invest, the new residential property development arm of the Just Property Group, has had sales to the value of R119 million in its first ten months of operation.
Rawson on target with 2015 goals - Property24, 28 January 2013
Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group, has recently completed a whistle-stop tour of South Africa, in the course of which he attended award evenings in four cities - Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth. |
| | SPECIFIC AREAS | Affordable Stellenbosch developments - Property24, 31 January 2013
The strong demand for affordable homes in and around Stellenbosch is evident in the quick uptake of units in new developments brought to market at reasonable prices.
Student Accommodation market attracts investors internationally - eProp, 28 January 2013
Aengus Investment Properties expands internationally as emerging market student accommodation attracts investors' attention.
Sought-after Parys homes from R600k - Property24, 25 January 2013
The small town of Parys on the southern banks of the Vaal River has already become one of the country’s most popular weekend getaway destinations. |
| | INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS | US economy hit brakes in Q4 - Moneyweb, 31 January 2013
The US economy shrank in the fourth quarter last year as Washington slashed defense spending and businesses trimmed inventories ahead of the feared fiscal cliff, Commerce Department data showed Wednesday.
Contrasting fortunes in US and North Asia on office space costs - eProp, 29 January 2013
DTZ’s ‘Global Occupancy Costs - Offices’ (GOCO) latest survey reports that the cost for companies to provide office space for their workers in North Asia increased by 6.3% during 2012, outstripping the global average increase of 1%.
Efficiency, Innovation and cutting-edge technology will be the keys to success - eProp, 29 January 2013
2012 saw subdued interest in real estate due to inflationary pressures and rising interest rates in India, coupled with the ongoing economic crisis in the Eurozone and US.
Case-Shiller survey indicates US Housing recovery underway - eProp, 28 January 2013
Those who believe, probably correctly, that economic trends in the USA are always mirrored, to an extent, a few months later in South Africa will take heart from the latest US housing data published by Standard & Poor/Case-Shiller and analysed in a recent article by “The Economist”.
via SAPropertyInvestor |
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