Are platteland homes valuable investments?

May 19, 2022 10:45:37 PM Share this:

Big players in the real estate investment sector often have a clear focus on the metros when it comes to growing their portfolios. Why not? Demand is high, capital growth is consistent and economic expansion occurs regularly. Where does that leave small towns off the radar?


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Topics: Property Advice

10 Energy-Saving Tips for Winter

May 7, 2022 12:54:40 AM Share this:

Your home's heating and cooling system consumes the most energy, accounting for over half of your total energy bills. During the summer and winter months, when temperature control is used the most, your utility bill will skyrocket. Winter is especially difficult because heating costs are unavoidable. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to save money on your power bill while still feeling warm in the winter. 


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Topics: Loadshedding, saving tips, Home Tips, Eskom

Will returning to the office influence city living demand?

Apr 21, 2022 12:13:59 AM Share this:

We’re seeing many companies adopt a hybrid model when it comes to staff coming into the office and working from home. Whether you’re working from home every other day, back at the office full time or choosing your own schedule there is no doubt a glimmer of normality glistens on the horizon.


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Topics: Harcourts South Africa, Economy, Harcourts Real Estate, COVID-19, Working from home

What does the rest of 2022 hold for property investment?

Apr 7, 2022 11:21:32 PM Share this:

Rising interest rates, lowered COVID restrictions and increasing expenses, are but a few of the factors influencing the property market. What does that mean for the real estate in 2022. Over the past two years of the pandemic the real estate industry experienced interesting trends, that for the most part had a positive impact on the market. Record interest rate lows coupled with a major rise in demand by first time buyers translated in real estate companies reaching never before seen highs.


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Topics: Property Investment, Market Value, Buying and Selling

Fraud Guidance

Feb 22, 2022 10:37:26 PM Share this:

Fraud is rife out there, and it’s only getting worse.  Check out this essential fraud guidance sheet for all the relevant contact information to report scams. Be safe and vigilant out there!


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Topics: fraudsters, Scam Alert, Harcourts Real Estate

Turning technology into a real estate partner

Feb 9, 2022 1:53:26 AM Share this:

Being an estate agent is often described as one of the loneliest careers in the world. Much of your day is made up of you making magic happen on your own, and even though as property companies we try and create a welcoming and community-based environment, solo work is how the property business is. COVID also did no one favours in this regard and many agents felt even more isolated. At Harcourts, we understand this and that is why we are so intent on creating opportunities and products for our agents that equip them with a sense of support and confidence. 


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Topics: Technology

Aesthetic attraction to transform your simple home

Feb 9, 2022 1:44:50 AM Share this:

As the famous quote by Andre Rieu identifies, "coming home is one of the most beautiful things". The aesthetic, or external beauty if you will, of a home is often the very thing that makes you fall in love with it. How the contrasting colour wall brightens up a once boring room or a fresh coat of paint with beautiful complimenting curtains bring a regal look to a simple structure. 


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Topics: Property Markets, Buying and Selling

Taking real estate growth to the next level

Jan 21, 2022 8:49:49 PM Share this:

Every so often you come across a prolific business team, people who take an opportunity, seize it and turn it into something special, such as this husband-and-wife team started out with four agents and one office, and transformed it into three successful offices with more than 50 agents. In real estate, success stories of this magnitude are few and far between. Hartwieg Du Rand and his wife Azelle of Harcourts Upper Highway, Harcourts Scott Bay and  Harcourts Toti have done just that. 


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Topics: Harcourts South Africa, business owner, office profile

What can we expect from the property market in 2022?

Jan 19, 2022 12:39:35 AM Share this:

The following appeared in a recent national article where the CEO’s of the top 5 real estate companies were asked to reflect on 2021 and give their predictions for 2022.


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Topics: Richard Gray, Harcourts South Africa, Sellers market, Buying and Selling

2022 set to solidify real estate returns

Jan 13, 2022 7:48:33 PM Share this:

The past two years have changed our lives forever. We see little kids not knowing what it's like to walk around in public spaces without a mask and many of us have lost family and friends during the pandemic. At times it appears the light at the end of the tunnel keeps shifting and normality fades with every step we take. The reality is, none of us knows when the COVID pandemic will come to an end, but what we do know is that every day we still have the opportunity to live and breathe. This is synonymous with how South Africans have approached their property purchasing. 


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Topics: Property Markets, COVID-19, The new normal, Buying and Selling