| MARKET TRENDS |
SA
economy 'growing below its potential' since crisis - Business Day, 23
January 2014
The South African economy is underperforming as it slips
into continued tepid growth, Standard Bank chief economist Goolam Ballim warned
on Wednesday. South Africa has been growing at below its potential since the
2008 global financial crisis and "more importantly" has "almost perpetually
underperformed relative to mainstream expectations.
Analysts
eye food prices, rand weakness in inflation watch - Business Day, 23
January 2014
Inflation rose a little more slowly than expected last
month but analysts warned on Wednesday that prices would edge up in coming
months. The Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee will consider December's
inflation data at its meeting next week, although it will be more interested in
the outlook.
South
Africa a dark spot in optimistic world growth picture - Moneyweb, 21
January 2014
Yesterday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released
an update to its World Economic Outlook (WEO), which was last published in
October last year. The update was surprisingly sunny – the IMF revised its
growth forecasts for 2014 upward, projecting global growth of 3.7% for this
year, 0.1% higher than its previous forecast.
Credit
curbs and rising costs hit spending - Business Day, 23 January
2014
Consumer spending, particularly in the middle-lower income segment
is expected to remain in the doldrums this year. There is little to support
spending as living costs continue to rise, putting strain on disposable income.
14
financial resolution tips for 2014 - Property24, 23 January 2014
Janu-worry is finally nearing an end and while most resolutions such as
getting back into shape have already kicked in, you may have to wait for your
January salary to get going on your New Year financial resolutions, according to
FNB. |
|
| GENERAL PROPERTY
NEWS |
Managing
agents and debt collection – Property24, 22 January 2014
Managing agents, trustees and directors of community schemes may be
falling foul of the Debt Collectors Act. This is according to Marina Constas,
director of BBM Attorneys and co-author of the book, "Demystifying Sectional
Title", who says if a managing agent is collecting debt on behalf of a body
corporate or other community scheme for reward, then they are required to
register as a debt collector with the Council of Debt Collectors.
SA's
ultra wealthy property suburbs - Property24, 21 January 2014
A new report from wealth consultancy, New World Wealth, seeks to shed light
on the location of South Africa's wealthiest individuals. The report focuses on
ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), individuals with net assets of US$30
million (R300 million) or more.
Shocking
fraudulent property transfers - Property24, 21 January 2014
In one of the most audacious cases of identity fraud committed in South
Africa to date, fraudsters with an intricate knowledge of the property system
have stolen millions from a bank and sold an upmarket home without the knowledge
of the owners.
Total
income for tourist accommodation up 10.5% in November - eProp, 21
January 2014
Total income for SA's tourist accommodation industry rose
by 10.5% year on year (y/y) in nominal terms (current prices) in November 2013‚
Statistics SA's tourist accommodation survey released on Monday showed.
Why
should I sell at auction? - eProp, 21 January 2014
Auctions
were viewed merely as a forced mechanism for recouping bad debt. Today, many
freely choose to sell their assets at auction, given the inherent benefits
associated with this method of selling.
Plans
to sue construction companies are gaining momentum - eProp, 20
January 2014
Move to bring civil claims against construction firms which
last year paid a collective R1.46bn fine for bid-rigging and collusion is
gaining momentum.
Building
plans passed rise to R6.7bn in 2013 - eProp, 20 January 2014
The number of building plans passed rose by 11.1% to R6.7bn between January
and November last year‚ Statistics SA data showed on Thursday.
|
|
| RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY NEWS |
5
tips for first-time landlords - Property24, 22 January 2014
Regardless of whether you are an investor who has found an excellent
income-generating rental property or a homeowner renting out your property, a
cottage on your property or an extra room in your home, meeting the requirements
of being a landlord is more intricate than simply signing a lease agreement and
collecting the monthly rental fee.
Brighter
outlook for house prices - eProp, 21 January 2014
Home owners
and residential property investors are likely to start making money again on
their bricks-and-mortar assets this year after a six-year housing slump.
White
property buyers below 50% for the first time - eProp, 21 January
2014
White buyers for the first time make up less than 50% of the local
home-buyer population in the fourth quarter of last year, according to FNB's
latest estate agent survey.
Should
you sell or buy a home first? - Property24, 21 January 2014
In today's real estate market, homeowners who have decided to move to
another property may find themselves sitting with the conundrum of whether they
should first sell their current residence or find a new house and then sell
their home. Based on their personal circumstances and unique situation, the
answer to this question will be different for every homeowner.
Reasons
for selling property in SA - Property24, 20 January 2014
According to the FNB Reasons for Selling Homes report, 21 percent of
homeowners were downscaling with life stage, 20 percent were upgrading, 14
percent were selling due to financial pressure, 14 percent as a result of change
in family structure, 12 percent were moving due to safety and security concerns,
9 percent were moving to be closer to work or amenities, 8 percent were
relocating within South Africa and only 2 percent were emigrating.
Buyer's
guide to home inspections – Property24, 20 January 2014
If
you're buying a home, then you're in one of the financially riskiest places of
your life. After weeks or months of searching, your new house is now becoming a
reality and you're getting set to make the biggest investment of your life.
SA
house prices only up in single digits in 2013 - eProp, 17 January
2014
House price growth across all three residential categories — small‚
medium and large were in single digits in 2013‚ according to Absa's house price
index for 2013 released on Thursday.
Joburg
has the cash, Cape Town the class - eProp, 17 January 2014
Johannesburg — especially Sandhurst, Bryanston and Hyde Park ranks supreme
as a primary home destination among SA's 600-odd multimillionaires, says a
report by international research consultancy New World Wealth.
Property
prices rise in December - eProp, 17 January 2014
Local
property prices rose in December‚ as did the average bond size‚ according to
bond originator Ooba. The property group said the average purchase price of a
new home grew by 7.9% in December to R933‚528 compared with a year earlier. The
median bond size was 9% higher at R793‚931.
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|
| COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY NEWS |
Cape
commercial property in demand - Iafrica.com, 22 January 2014
The current Cape property market, says Tanya Jovanovski, co-franchisee with
Victor Schonborn for the Rawson Auctions franchise in the Western Cape, is now
definitely feeling the effects of the weakening rand, which makes Cape property
increasingly attractive to overseas buyers.
SA
commercial property a safe haven - Property24, 21 January 2014
Quality commercial and industrial properties in South Africa will continue
to boast yields comparative to most other investment classes in the near future,
despite the market remaining as flat as it has over the past five years.
Dipula
expect retail property to outperform again in 2014 - eProp, 20
January 2014
Retail property is expected to deliver better results to
investors in 2014 with offices being the weakest commercial property subsectors
this year, according to Dipula Income Fund CEO Izak Petersen.
|
|
| LISTED PROPERTY
NEWS |
Redefine
Int sells assets for £13.77m - Property24, 23 January 2014
Redefine International P.L.C. has announced it has completed the sale of its
north-west London sites, Lyon House and Equitable House, for £13.77 million to
Redrow Homes Limited.
Listed
property's record beats cash and bonds - eProp, 22 January 2014
SA investors should add listed property stocks to their portfolios this year
due to their track record in beating inflation better than cash‚ bonds and
certain other equity investments, says Grindrod.
Tradehold
adds Manchester shopping centre to portfolio - eProp, 21 January
2014
Listed investment holding company Tradehold (TDH) has acquired a
major shopping centre in Greater Manchester‚ which increases the value of the
group's property portfolio by 46% to £76m.
Quantitative
easing and interest rates may affect listed property sector in 2014 -
eProp, 20 January 2014
South Africa's listed property sector can expect
another interesting year in 2014 according to Redefine Properties CEO Marc
Wainer, who predicts interest rates will be one of the most important underlying
forces for the sector. |
|
| ESTATE AGENT
NEWS |
Real
estate education at Henley Centre - Property24, 22 January 2014
Launched in November 2012, Henley Real Estate Centre Africa is a first for
South Africa. It draws on the strengths and the best of international research
and knowledge provided by Henley UK's School of Real Estate & Planning, the
largest and most prestigious school of its kind in Britain, and ranked the
leading real estate centre in Europe by the US-based Urban Land Institute.
Rentals
course for estate agents - Property24, 21 January 2014
More
real estate agencies are now adding rentals to the services they offer, and it
is important for letting agents to be completely au fait with the Rental Housing
Act and the legal interpretation of it, as well as the practical day to day
aspects of rental management.
Why
show days give sellers the edge - Property24, 17 January 2014
Despite today's technology which allows sellers to list their properties
online and buyers to view them, there is still great value in going back to
basics and having a show day.
My
Perfect Home competition - Property24, 17 January 2014
Home
is more than the walls that make it; home is a feeling. Home is where a good
book and a sun-drenched couch equal bliss and where the voices of family,
friends and pets add the perfect soundtrack. It's being able to hang your
favourite picture, add a splash of paint or put your green fingers to the test.
|
|
| SPECIFIC AREAS |
Cape
Town Fresnaye's fashionable homes - Property24, 23 January 2014
Located between Signal Hill and Sea Point, Fresnaye is one of Cape Town's
most affluent suburbs. Just a few kilometres west of the city centre, the suburb
is set on the slopes of Lion's Head and is known as one of the area's most
fashionable residential hubs.
Port
Owen marina waterfront homes - Property24, 23 January 2014
For those who love boating, fishing, water-skiing or birdwatching, there can
be few more desirable locations than the Port Owen marina, located on the Cape
West Coast at the mouth of the Berg River.
Value-for-money
Strand property - Property24, 20 January 2014
There have been
reports about a run in demand for residential property in Strand in the Western
Cape. This is according to Wouter Joubert, manager and co-franchisee for the
Rawson Property Group's Strand franchise.
Pretoria
buyers target cheaper homes - Property24, 20 January 2014
Slow economic growth and tight credit have put downward pressure on home
prices in several of Pretoria's eastern suburbs over the past 12 months.
|
|
| INTERNATIONAL
PROPERTY NEWS |
Deutsche
Bank keeps ambitious goals amid legal woes – Business Day, 23 January
2013
Deutsche Bank has made 2014 into a make-or-break year for co-CEOs
Anshu Jain and Juergen Fitschen, who have stuck to ambitious targets for the
bank that could be threatened by its long list of legal
problems. |
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