Harcourts Blog

It often seems as if every day there is a new app, a new technological feat, a new digital advancement being introduced into the global real estate market. It is often difficult to discern between the necessary and unnecessary. At Harcourts, we have invested hours upon hours developing strategies and we are very proud of our achievements and service offerings in the tech space and are happy to say that we lead the real estate market in certain aspects of the technological world.

With all the new technologies and wonderful service offerings real estate companies are able to provide their clients there are still a few crucial aspects of our industry that remain untouched by the modern market. It is often the ability to provide these insights that set you apart from the market and assist your clients to achieve success.

Val de Vie Estate, the luxurious lifestyle estate nestled by the majestic mountains just outside of Paarl in the Western Cape, has raked in another award. New World Wealth (NWW) shared its top 10 lifestyle estate picks for 2021, and Val de Vie was named in the Top 10, sharing the spoils with world-renowned estates across the globe.

Analysing trends in Cape Town's property market over the last year and the perpetual increase in demand for high return on investment opportunities, given the low-interest rate and macroeconomic conditions, the latest development in Cape Town's booming suburb of Table View, aptly named "Cornerstone on Arum" is set to continue this trend. 

It is difficult to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy when so many people experienced personal loss and trauma during this time. But then you think about it for a minute and consider the impact the virus has had on our livelihoods and business operations as well, and then only does the entire picture come into view.  With that being said, why then has the real estate market not only been able to stay buoyant but, in contradiction to earlier predictions, show immense activity and growth during the past year.

It is difficult to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy when so many people experienced personal loss and trauma during this time. But then you think about it for a minute and consider the impact the virus has had on our livelihoods and business operations as well, and then only does the entire picture come into view.  With that being said, why then has the real estate market not only been able to stay buoyant but, in contradiction to earlier predictions, show immense activity and growth during the past year.

Once known as a quiet seaside town, Ballito has become a hustling and bustling coastal location that has somehow managed to retain its community-orientated feel.

The new year has come and with it new challenges. We're still in the wake of 2020 and with the current restrictions, many businesses remain under pressure. The real estate industry continued to work through a lot of the difficulties facing in the industry. Thankfully, in some regions, the market is highly active and sales have improved beyond previous years. How do we navigate the foreseeable future and adapt enough so we can sustain and grow our business?

Determining the true value of a property is one of the most crucial components of any transaction in the real estate industry. The entire valuation process comprises of various factors which ultimately lead to an accurate property valuation.

Is the true value of a property subjective?
Valuing real estate is a very particular process, due to the fact that each property possesses unique features, which are specific to that property; including location, erf size, floor plan and layout, as well as additional amenities. In addition, local knowledge and understanding of the market by the estate agent responsible for the valuation is paramount. An agent with an acute insight into their local market more accurately assess market value than that of an agent who does not understand the trends related to that region.

Unlike most commodities that are used quickly, the advantages of property are typically recognised over a certain amount of time. This also means that determining a property’s fair market value should take into account both economic and social trends, as well as legislative regulations and environmental factors which may affect the overall valuation; while general industry principles such as supply and demand will undoubtedly influence an individual property's value from a holistic perspective.

Although the valuation process is clinical by nature, homeowners will naturally have attached sentiments to their current property. A good real estate agent will also be able to keep this in mind to ensure that the final valuation is worth the homeowner’s while from a personal perspective.

In essence, a home is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept. However, an experienced real estate specialist who works with both buyers and sellers in the current real estate market is not only able to access accurate data but also see two sides of the same coin. As a result, this insight allows them to decide best how to assess the true value of a property.

Connect with us on social media to share your thoughts on determining true market value.

Many areas are experiencing a hot real estate market and have shifted to a seller’s market. This is despite the COVID-19 pandemic or perhaps because of it, as well as the subsequent record low-interest rates. While current conditions are prime for sellers, they can make the process more challenging for property buyers. Navigating a seller's market can seem daunting for prospective buyers, however, they can still position themselves for success and zero in on their ideal property.