We found 38 property related articles for you to read this week

MARKET TRENDS SA languishes near bottom of African growth outlook - Business Day, 07 August 2013 Growth in South Africa will continue to lag that of other African countries, with the latest African Development Bank African Economic Outlook report listing the country among the 10 that will grow the slowest in 2013. SA economy shakes off some lethargy - Moneyweb, 07 August 2013 Could it be that we have collectively overstated a few downsides? Credit growth is trundling along steadily at +9% yy, latest new car sales did 7.5%, retail sales surged in May.

GENERAL PROPERTY NEWS Survey results on dispute resolution - Property24, 08 August 2013 National Debt Mediation Association (NDMA) has welcomed a survey by the National Credit Regulator (NCR) that shows that alternative dispute resolution services offered to consumers are largely seen as effective in resolving a range of disputes between service providers and consumers. Tips for dealing with pool contractors - Property24, 08 August 2013 July and August are generally the busiest months of the year for swimming pool builders, as homeowners look forward to summer and take advantage of the dry weather in most parts of the country to get their additions and alterations done. Ekurhuleni to minimise court cases - Property24, 07 August 2013 The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is forging closer relations with the legal fraternity in a move to pursue the route of dispute resolution options instead of court cases. Zantech Ponzi took deposits under Reserve Bank's nose - Moneyweb, 07 August 2013 Zantech Trading, a 25%-a-month Ponzi scheme, accepted deposits from investors right under the nose of the Reserve bank. Auditors in the spotlight for construction corruption - eProp, 05 August 2013 The spotlight has fallen on auditors who signed off financial statements of JSE-listed construction companies that paid millions to bribe competitors to submit losing bids for tenders.

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY NEWS Estate agents see demand rising‚ lower income segment fares best - eProp, 08 August 2013 There is a broad strengthening trend in agents’ perceptions of residential demand‚ according to an FNB estate agent survey. First time buyer subsidy: its progress and teething problems - Moneyweb, 08 August 2013 Human Settlements Minister Connie September says criticism of the first time home buyers subsidy needs perspective. Sought-after property locations - Property24, 07 August 2013 Home buying remains a top priority for many and for those who cannot afford to buy, renting is an option. Standard Bank house price index shows little change in July 2013 - eProp, 07 August 2013 The Standard Bank house price index improved by 8% year on year in July‚ from 7.8% year on year in June‚ Standard Bank said in a note on Monday. Former black townships house price increase - Moneyweb, 06 August 2013 The areas formerly classified as "black areas" under apartheid have outperformed the former white "suburbs" in terms of house price growth, according to an FNB index. Strong demand for Cape Town rentals - Property24, 05 August 2013 The demand for rental accommodation in the central Southern Suburbs of Cape Town is stronger now than at any previous stage in the city’s history and is likely to gain further strength in the coming year.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NEWS Drivers of demand for office space losing momentum - eProp, 07 August 2013 A weakening demand for office space as well as sluggish growth in market rentals are on the cards, says Erwin Rode, professional property valuer and property economist at Rode & Associates. Centurion industrial property market - Property24, 06 August 2013 It appears that the industrial property market is leading the slow comeback in the commercial property market, certainly in the greater Irene and Centurion areas where industrial space is being “snapped up". Cape Town Real Estate overview H1 2013 - eProp, 03 August 2013 Increased commitments to development projects are concerning as they may add to the current rising vacancies in the midst of slow demand for office space. Debate over multi-billion rand Time Square development in east of Pretoria - eProp, 03 August 2013 The multi-billion Rand Time Square development in the east of Pretoria – which will include a five star hotel and casino – is drawing negative feedback from the public, including a group of 22 residents' associations, known collectively as the Joint Action Group. Liberty Promenade Shopping Centre gets two new lifestyle tenants - eProp, 02 August 2013 Liberty Promenade Shopping Centre is proud to announce that two new tenants, Fives Futbol and Zone Fitness have commenced trading at the centre. Standard Bank Rosebank development achieves Five Star Green Star rating - eProp, 02 August 2013 Standard Bank’s new R2.7bn office development in Rosebank joins eight other buildings in South Africa to have achieved a five-star Green Star rating, and adds to the number of financial institutions and companies moving into "green buildings".

LISTED PROPERTY NEWS Listed funds investors beware of REITS - Property24, 07 August 2013 Much has been said about the benefits of the new Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) structure which has become available to the South African property sector. Growthpoint Properties converts to best-of-breed REIT capital structure - eProp, 06 August 2013 Growthpoint Properties has become the first SA REIT to introduce a new capital structure, converting from complex linked units to the straightforward ordinary share structure. Resilient Property Income Fund H1 distribution up 12.83% to 136.23c - eProp, 06 August 2013 Resilient Property Income Fund declares a distribution of 136.23c per linked unit in the six months to June. Dipula Income Fund acquisitions improve rental income stream - eProp, 05 August 2013 Dipula Income Fund today announced that its acquisition drive has improved its rental income streams, with 14 properties valued at some R1,4 billion transferring into its portfolio in the past 14 months. Delta Property plans R1bn for acquisitions - Moneyweb, 05 August 2013 Delta Property Fund, which rents office space to the South African government, plans to spend about half of a R2 billion fundraising plan on acquisitions as demand grows. Innovative design - The Podium Menlyn - Property24, 05 August 2013 Johannesburg Stock Exchange property company Emira Property Fund’s Podium at Menlyn in Gauteng has been announced as the deserving winner of the Fulton Awards Innovative Construction Award.

ESTATE AGENT NEWS To show or not to show your property - Property24, 07 August 2013 In today’s fast moving, tech-savvy property market, many real estate professionals feel that show days are just not as effective as they once were, says Dieter Harck, broker/owner of RE/MAX One Hundred, in Fourways Johannesburg. New home for elderly Ekurhuleni man - Property24, 07 August 2013 As part of the Mandela Day celebrations, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) handed over a brand new home, a donation from Trans Gariep Infra to 74 year old, Gadula Madonsela a veteran community activist. Engel & Völkers’ International Awards - Property24, 05 August 2013 Christian Völkers, CEO and Founder of Engel & Völkers AG, extended an invitation to friends, colleagues and guests to attend the Engel & Völkers International Awards ceremony in Majorca on 13 July. Joburg clearance certificates an issue - Property24, 02 August 2013 Estate agents who rely on commission are facing a major financial crisis because of the lengthy period it takes to get clearance certificates from the City of Johannesburg council to facilitate property sales.

SPECIFIC AREAS Kokstad homes selling from R400k - Property24, 07 August 2013 Named after the Griqua chief Adam Kok III, who settled in the area in 1863, Kokstad is a town in the Sisonke District of the KwaZulu-Natal Province. Value for money homes in Northcliff - Property24, 06 August 2013 Residential property in Northcliff and surrounds fared better than most Johannesburg suburbs in the 2008 to 2009 downturn. New lifestyle homes in Parklands North - Property24, 06 August 2013 Property developers Anver and Carolyn of New Age Property Developments have returned to the Parklands North area in Cape Town after the completion of several successful developments around the country. Heritage homes for sale in Swellendam - Property24, 05 August 2013 The town of Swellendam is known for its architectural gems and its river and mountainside setting in the interior of the Cape Overberg region.

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS Global shares fall on Fed tapering talk, Bank of England policy - Business Day, 07 August 2013 Signs the US Federal Reserve might trim its stimulus programme sparked a sell-off in world shares on Wednesday, while uncertainty over the Bank of England’s future interest rate policy unleashed a wave of volatility in UK markets. Ireland property market recovering - Property24, 06 August 2013 According to figures released recently by the Central Statistics Office, Irish property prices rose by 1.2 percent in the year to June 2013. This is the first annual increase since January 2008. IPD results show continued resilience of the Botswana property market - eProp, 02 August 2013 According to the IPD Botswana Annual Property Consultative Index, released today, the total return for all property was 17.9% for the year to December 2012, compared with 20.9% for 2011. JHI property management in Africa - Property24, 08 August 2013 The steady improvement of Zimbabwe’s economy over the past few years, coupled with its move to dollarisation, has proven a catalyst for sound business opportunities, says Rudolf Nieman, managing director of JHI Project Management, a member of the Excellerate Property Services (EPS) group.