| MARKET TRENDS |
Marcus in fresh attack on failure of state policy - Business
Day, 01 August 2013
Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus on Wednesday
stepped up her criticism of the government’s failed economic and labour
policies, in a tough speech that leaned hard against the populist, left-wing
tendencies in President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet.
Consumer confidence turns positive in second quarter -
Business Day, 01 August 2013
Consumer confidence rebounded into positive
territory in the second quarter, after falling to a nine-year low in the first
quarter, suggesting some increased willingness among consumers to spend.
Trade deficit narrows more than expected - Business Day, 31
July 2013
The shortfall on South Africa’s trade balance came in much
better than expected in June, which could temporarily allay concern about the
deficit on the current account — the broadest measure of South Africa’s trade
with the rest of the world.
Government injects R202bn into economy - eProp, 31 July
2013
Over R200 billion has been injected into the economy by the South
African government last year, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on
Wednesday.
Interest rates impact on SA consumers - Property24, 29 July
2013
The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee
decided to leave its policy repo rate unchanged at 5 percent, not surprising
with consumer price inflation still not far from the upper target limit (6
percent) at 5.6 percent in May. |
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| GENERAL PROPERTY
NEWS |
Collecting tax debts from 3rd parties - Property24, 01 August
2013
There are provisions in the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 (the
Act) which allow the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to recover a
taxpayer’s tax debt from a third party who either holds money for, or owes money
to, that taxpayer.
Not enough tax relief to improve household income - eProp, 29
July 2013
With SA's effective personal tax burden relative to income set
to rise further this year, the decision keeps the combined fiscal and monetary
policy impact on household finances negative.
UKZN will offer BSc in Property Development again in 2014 -
eProp, 26 July 2013
SAPOA has welcomed the education benefits that
aspiring property professionals will once again enjoy thanks to the
reintroduction of the BSC Property Development programme, leading to the Honours
Degree in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, at the University of
KwaZulu-Natal.
Property auction market down 75% - eProp, 26 July 2013
It appears the auction industry is still feeling the effects of the Auction
Alliance ghost bidding scandal. |
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| RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY NEWS |
Restrictions on usage of property - Property24, 01 August
2013
Some of the houses on Cape Town’s roads have been turned into
business premises because of densification and higher traffic volumes, but this
is sometimes opposed by the neighbourhood’s residents.
Vetting process: find the right tenant - Property24, 01 August
2013
Letting and managing a property requires a lot of time and
commitment, therefore it is of critical importance that a landlord selects a
rental agent who is fully compliant with the vetting process.
State of the SA rental market - Property24, 31 July 2013
The residential property rental market is on the up, according to Louw
Liebenberg, CEO of PayProp, SA’s largest processor of rental payments for the
residential letting industry.
Home loans for affordable housing - Property24, 30 July
2013
Mike van Alphen, the National Manager of Rawson Finance, has
welcomed the advent of Housing Investment Partners (HiP) to the South African
residential sector.
Homeowners assume control at Pinnacle Point - Moneyweb, 29
July 2013
Sound property management at Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf
Resort has negated the unlawful actions of the Pinnacle Point Resorts Company,
liquidated in 2011. The Home Owners Association continues to assert its
authority in assuring buyers of an attractive investment proposition.
Buy-to-let property in KwaZulu-Natal - Property24, 26 July
2013
The Q2 2013 FNB Estate Agents Survey reveals that the total
percentage of buy-to-let investors in South Africa remains low at 8 percent of
total buyers.
Coastal house prices up 15.6% - Moneyweb, 26 July 2013
Driven largely by two regions specifically. House prices along
KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast and around the Cape Peninsula grew "relatively
strongly" the past year, according to Absa's latest quarterly housing review.
The changing dynamics of rentals in small towns - Moneyweb, 26
July 2013
A severe shortage of rental properties in areas close to
infrastructure development projects are causing significant increases in monthly
rentals in some towns. |
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| COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY NEWS |
Speculative property developments make a return - eProp, 31
July 2013
Taking advantage of low vacancies in premier office space and
banking on a slowly improving global economy, speculative office developments
are starting to rear their heads again after five years of a lull in activity.
R400m Eyethu Mall a community asset - Property24, 30 July
2013
The development of Eyethu Orange Farm Mall will result in the
entire Orange Farm community holding a 10 percent stake in this 27 000 square
metre regional shopping mall, which is helping to transform the area into a
flourishing central business district, and creating a valuable multi-faceted
community asset.
5 Stars for Nedbank Menlyn Maine - Property24, 29 July
2013
Nedbank Menlyn Maine, which was unveiled last year as the first
completed building inside Africa’s first ever ‘green precinct’and the third 'As
Built' Green Star rated building in the Nedbank portfolio, has been honoured
with a rare and highly prestigious Five Star Green Star ‘As Built’ rating by the
Green Building Council of South Africa.
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| LISTED PROPERTY
NEWS |
Reits tipped to grow in leaps and bounds - eProp, 31 July
2013
The South African listed property sector continues to grow in leaps
and bounds, with four new property companies expected to list on the JSE before
the end of this year.
Octodec and Premium actively refurbishing 76 CBD properties -
eProp, 31 July 2013
JSE-listed sister companies Octodec Investments and
Premium Properties have 76 property refurbishment projects on the go in
Gauteng’s central business districts (CBDs), amid continued improvements in the
province’s inner cities.
CAPCO strong valuation contributes to 14.4% NAV increase -
eProp, 30 July 2013
Capital and Counties Properties (Capco‚ CCO) said
today that strong valuation results for the first half of 2013 contributed to a
14.4% increase in EPRA (European Public Real Estate) adjusted‚ diluted net asset
value per share to 232 pence‚ from 203 pence at end December 2012.
First SA property fund to list under the new REIT structure -
eProp, 29 July 2013
Tower Property Fund was officially the first new
fund in South Africa to list on the main board of the JSE under the Diversified
REITs sector when it listed on 19 July 2013.
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| ESTATE AGENT
NEWS |
Help for Al-Noor Orphanage - Property24, 01 August 2013
Al-Noor Orphanage, a non-profit organisation in Woodstock, Cape Town has 35
children in their care at present, and runs on sponsorships and donations alone
and no government funding.
Engel & Völkers’ double-digit growth - Property24, 31 July
2013
The Engel & Völkers group is continuing on its course of record
growth already embarked upon in the first months of the year.
Property expert returns to SA - Property24, 26 July 2013
RE/MAX of Southern Africa is hosting international property expert, author
and trainer, Ed Hatch. Hatch will be addressing RE/MAX real estate professionals
in various venues throughout the country from 21 August until 3 September.
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|
| SPECIFIC AREAS |
Escape to Roodepoort Little Falls - Property24, 01 August
2013
As Johannesburg continues to expand and become busier almost by the
week, residents are facing increased stress. While many find the urban lifestyle
appealing, family buyers tend to opt for quieter neighbourhoods.
Village feel Simons Town & Glencairn - Property24, 31 July
2013
Simons Town and Glencairn are residential precincts which, with 2
500 homes between them, are all set for a new wave of popularity.
Homes in Kloof, Hillcrest and Gillitts - Property24, 31 July
2013
Kloof, Hillcrest and Gillitts, traditionally regarded as ‘good’
residential property addresses in Durban, have held their values remarkably
well.
Affordable Housing Development for upmarket Umhlanga - eProp,
30 July 2013
Construction will soon start on the first affordable
housingAlso known as ‘inclusionary housing ‘which essentially is low-cost social
housing aimed at the lower-income sector of the market. development in upmarket
Umhlanga near Durban.
Affordable family homes in Grassy Park - Property24, 30 July
2013
Set on the Cape flats, Grassy Park is one of Cape Town’s southern
suburbs. Situated just east of the M5 and the Princess Vlei near to the suburbs
of Ottery and Lotus River, Grassy Park originally began to develop during the
early 1960s.
Linden the next property hot spot - Property24, 29 July
2013
The trend towards regeneration and creating trendy urban living
spaces in Joburg’s inner city is on the rise. Seeff Randburg managing director,
Tony Ketcher, says more central urban neighbourhoods that lie on the outer rim
of the Johannesburg CBD are catching the eye of smart property buyers and
developers. |
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| INTERNATIONAL
PROPERTY NEWS |
Fed stays on track with bond buying, for now - Business Day,
31 July 2013
The US Federal Reserve said on Wednesday the economy
continues to recover but is still in need of support, offering no indication
that it is planning to reduce its bond-buying stimulus at its next meeting in
September.
Massmart opens R20.5m Builders Warehouse store in Botswana -
eProp, 30 July 2013
Massmart opens its second Builders Warehouse store
in Botswana‚ in line with its African expansion strategy.
GMAC pays USD230m to borrowers in foreclosures case - eProp,
30 July 2013
GMAC Mortgage will pay USD230m to borrowers as part of a
government review of potentially flawed foreclosures, says the Federal Reserve.
Growthpoint Australia acquires three prime industrial property
developments – eProp, 26 July 2013
Growthpoint Properties Australia
(ASX:GOZ) announced that it has agreed to acquire a portfolio of three prime
industrial property developments in Melbourne, Victoria, for a total
consideration of AU$60.2 million (approximately ZAR542 million).
Versace mansion to go on auction - Property24, 26 July
2013
The oceanfront Miami South Beach mansion formerly owned by Italian
fashion icon Gianni Versace is up for auction. A bankruptcy court has appointed
Fisher Auction Company to handle the sale in conjunction with Coldwell Banker
Residential Real Estate's high-profile Miami-based realtors' The Jills, Jill
Hertzberg and Jill Eber.
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