Analysing property trends in South Africa based on recent barometers and research documents, there are varied reasons and opinions explaining why certain markets are under pressure and others are thriving.
Read more
Technology, research data forcing real estate innovation
Nov 29, 2019 11:21:20 PMRead more
Topics: Technology, Richard Gray, Harcourts Real Estate
Technology and research data forcing real estate innovation
Nov 19, 2019 11:56:29 PMAnalysing property trends in South Africa based on recent barometers and research documents there are varied reasons and opinions explaining why certain markets are under pressure and others are thriving. For instance according to the FNB Affordable Housing Insight for the third quarter released in October affordable South African residential properties priced between R250,000 and R500,000 are experiencing a strong third quarter, with some properties sold at 5% above asking price. Whilst 95% of properties in the higher end of the market sell below-asking price, at approximately 10% discount.
Read more
Topics: Technology, Richard Gray, Harcourts South Africa, Harcourts Real Estate
South African heads up global estate agency
Oct 14, 2019 8:19:45 PMGlobal real estate franchise group, Harcourts International, has South African Steve Caradoc-Davies as new chief executive officer to lead the 132-year-old company into the next era.
On 1 October Caradoc-Davies took over leadership of the 900-office network and approximately 10,000 team members in nine countries, from Mike Green, who will take on a new focus within the business.
Read more
Topics: Richard Gray, Harcourts South Africa, Mike Green, Harcourts International, Steve Caradoc-Davies
Harcourts International appoints South African to lead global real estate organisation
Oct 2, 2019 1:52:44 AMSomerset West, Cape Town native Steve Caradoc-Davies to lead global real estate franchise group
Global real estate franchise group, Harcourts International, today announced the appointment of Steve Caradoc-Davies as Chief Executive Officer to lead the 132-year-old company into the next era. Mr Caradoc-Davies will take over leadership of the 900-office network and approximately 10,000 team members in nine countries, from Mike Green, who takes on a new focus within the business. Both changes are effective 1 October 2019.
Read more
Topics: Richard Gray, Harcourts South Africa, Mike Green, Harcourts International, CEO, Steve Caradoc-Davies
Cape Winelands property market bounces back after drought
Sep 26, 2019 10:21:07 PMAs the dust begins to settle after the dire Western Cape drought and the dams are nearing full, we've similarly seen the property market in regions such as Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek gain ground. It was undoubtedly a tough period the past 18 months with many investors hesitant to invest in the Western Cape market due to water restrictions, tough economic landscape and the political issues surrounding land.
Read more
Topics: Selling, Harcourts South Africa, Property Markets, Harcourts Real Estate, Harcourts Winelands
Is WhatsApp changing real estate?
Jul 31, 2019 11:35:16 PMAs new technologies and improved systems are perpetually introduced into our modern business environments, innovations in client communication is undoubtedly at the forefront of this rapid evolution. The real estate industry has experienced a flurry of new concepts and advancements in the past year especially with regards to agents having to incorporate real time communication tools into their daily practices.
Read more
Topics: Technology, Richard Gray, Harcourts South Africa, Real Estate
Interest rate cut: The break SA consumers need
Jul 22, 2019 7:37:54 PMHarcourts South Africa welcomes the announcement by the South African Reserve Bank that interest rates will be cut by 25 basis points. This is the first easing in policy in over a year and in a time when many South Africans are feeling the pressure this comes as welcomed relief. Especially considering that many economists are predicting another cut later in the year.
Read more
Topics: Richard Gray, Harcourts South Africa, Interest Rates, South African Markets
Rental market gains momentum as financial pressure property sales increase
Jul 19, 2019 9:02:10 PMAccording to the latest FNB Property Barometer Survey data shows that “Downscaling because of life stage” dominates as the most prominent reason for selling a property in SA, with such sales accounting for 23% of all sales in 2Q19, the same as in 1Q19. However, what is most concerning is that “Downscaling due to financial pressure” has become increasingly prominent in the past year; the estimated proportion of such sales jumped to 19% in 2Q19 from 16% in 1Q19.
Read more
Topics: Selling, Richard Gray, Financial Advice, Harcourts Real Estate
Why people thrive in co-working spaces
Jul 15, 2019 10:00:00 AM
Studies show that people who work in co-working spaces are on balance more satisfied, better performers and find more meaning in their work than those working in traditional offices.
Unlike a traditional office, co-working spaces consist of members who work for a range of different companies, ventures, and projects.
So what’s so special about co-working?
“Co-working spaces attract diverse groups of people such as entrepreneurs, remote workers, independent professionals and people from large companies who work together in a communal setting,” says Linda Trim, Director at FutureSpace, a high-end workspace joint venture between Investec Property and workplace specialists Giant Leap with two offices in Sandton.
Read more
Topics: Harcourts South Africa, diversity, Co-Workers
President's SONA inspires but lacks detail
Jul 13, 2019 1:27:46 AMPresident Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation address in Parliament yesterday and outlined seven priorities and five goals whilst acknowledging that due to financial constraints government would not be able to deliver “everything at one time”. In the real estate sector, the economy has played a major role in activity and commitment and we're excited that the President is prioritising economic growth and hope for strategic and continued implementation.
Read more
Topics: Richard Gray, Harcourts South Africa, Real Estate, SONA Speech