AIDA National Franchises

How to make sure your agent is “for real

2012-04-25T02:50:00.002-07:00

Although both homebuyers and sellers have the legislated power to stop bogus estate agents in their tracks, many are not aware of the steps they can take – or of the dangers of dealing with people who are not properly qualified or registered to handle property transactions.

“Much publicity has been given to the new compulsory qualifications for estate agents,” notes Ester Odendaal, operations manager for Aida National Franchises, “and since most of the national real estate groups like Aida have gone to great lengths to ensure that all their agents attain these qualifications, there has been a significant increase in professionalism in our industry.

“In addition, the past few difficult years in the property market have brought about a steep decline in agent numbers. But these two factors taken together don’t mean that there are no unqualified and unscrupulous people out there, acting as agents and taking homebuyers and sellers for a ride.

“Indeed, our observation around the country is that at least one in every 10 people operating as an agent at the moment is either not registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board, as required by law, or is not qualified to be handling property transactions without supervision.”

And, she says, the fact that these “agents” are prepared to openly flout the law suggests that they probably also have little regard for the Estate Agents’ Code of Conduct – or for the new Consumer Protection Act (CPA) – which would put any buyer or seller dealing with them at risk. “Unfortunately, it is also true that such individuals tend to focus their activities around those consumers who can least afford financial loss.”

The biggest danger, says Odendaal, is for homebuyers who might hand over a deposit to a bogus agent, “and there have been several sad cases publicised in recent years about desperate people who did just this in the hope of securing a stand or a home off plan, only to find that the ‘agent’ was nothing more than a con artist who then vanished with all their money”.

Also at risk, of course, are landlords and tenants whose investments and deposits are not in the hands of registered agents with properly audited trust accounts. However, the actions of a bogus or under-qualified agent can also badly affect home sellers – and now especially in the light of the CPA, since they are the ones who will most likely have to rectify any misrepresentation made by that agent to buyers, possibly at great cost.

But there are steps that consumers can take to protect themselves and avoid such situations, and more homebuyers and sellers need to be become aware of these, she says. “The first is to deal only with well-established, reputable agencies which obviously have an interest in making sure all their agents are properly qualified and act correctly, and the second is simply to ask an agent with whom you are considering doing business for their current Fidelity Fund Certificate – the proof that they are registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board.”

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Ester Odendaal

Buyers return to simmering South Coast

2012-03-22T01:06:00.000-07:00

After a quiet start to the new year, property sales activity along the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal has recently picked up sharply, with both local and upcountry buyers streaming in to snap up seaside properties at “bargain” prices.
In Amanzimtoti, says Deidre Ronnenberg, owner of the local Aida office, the biggest driver of this activity is news of Transnet’s R100bn plan to turn Durban’s former international airport site – just 11km from ‘Toti - into a new dug-out port.
“The anticipated increase in local property values as a result of this development, plus the fact that the demand for long-term rentals here is already increasing, is attracting a far greater number of investment buyers - and many of them are paying cash.”
Another factor driving sales all along the South Coast, she says, is the fact that real-term property price growth is expected to turn positive soon.
“The latest Absa figures show, for example, that although they were coming off a low base, home prices on the South Coast rose 7,5% yoy in the last quarter of 2011. And looking at this, many retirees and holiday-home buyers as well investors now believe that the local market has passed its bottom and are keen to secure property here before the upturn gains much more momentum.
What is more, Ronnenbergh says, budget-conscious KZN buyers are increasingly choosing to live permanently on the South Coast, where prices compare very favourably to the residential areas north of Durban. “In Amanzimtoti, for example, one can still buy a spacious two-bedroom beachfront flat with a garage for around R650 000.
“The town also has excellent schools and well-developed shopping and entertainment facilities to attract families, who are able to purchase good quality freehold homes here for between R700 000 and R1,3m. Luxury homes, some of them suitable for the establishment of B&Bs, are priced at around R3m.”
Further down the South Coast, says Aida area expert Glen Tweedie, there is a high demand at present for homes in retirement villages. “This stretch of coast is of course one of SA’s most popular retirement destinations, and it is estimated that there are some 400 000 senior citizens resident between Umkomaas and Port Edward.
“At the moment we are also seeing many people buying homes here that will accommodate their parents for now, and themselves in the future when they retire.”
The area is also attractive to buy-to-let investors, he says, because both holiday and long-term rental properties are always in demand. “Foreigners like to holiday here for several months during the European winter and particularly enjoy our international-standard golf courses. The mild climate year-round also means young families and seniors can enjoy affordable holidays here in the off-season, while the peak season of course sees crowds of upcountry visitors booking out every available unit.”
Prices for two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in established retirement villages along the lower South Coast start from around R750 000, while two-bedroom apartments and townhouses suitable for letting or as holiday homes are available from around R600 000, and R700 000 with a seaview.

Time to buy now as prices start to rise

2012-03-12T23:05:00.001-07:00

The Western Cape, where property prices fell 0,3% last year, is the most expensive province in which to buy residential property, and Cape Town is the city with the highest average price in every home category, even if one excludes the multimillion-rand trophy properties strung out along the Atlantic Seaboard.

On the other hand, says Aida CEO Young Carr, the latest Absa research shows that the prices of small, medium and large “middle segment” homes in the northern and western suburbs of Johannesburg, (where prices rose 5,2% last year), often exceed the Cape Town averages for the same categories.

“For example, the average price of a medium size home in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs is R1,34m, while the average price of a medium size home in Cape Town is R1,26m.”

The latest Absa Quarterly Housing Review, he notes, also reveals that there is no one province with the lowest prices in all of the small, medium and large home categories, but that Port Elizabeth is definitely the cheapest city overall.

“The average price for a small home in Port Elizabeth is currently around R514 000, for example, compared to R593 000 in the central and southern suburbs of Johannesburg, which is the next cheapest area, followed by Durban/ Pinetown, where a small home costs an average of R711 000.”

As far as medium size homes go, Carr says, Port Elizabeth, East London and the central and southern suburbs of Johannesburg offer the best prospects for budget-conscious buyers, while the Eastern Cape and the East Rand in Gauteng are currently the least expensive places to buy larger homes.

“Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that according to the Absa figures, only two of the nine provinces experienced a year-on-year decline in property prices last year, while some metros actually experienced an above-inflation (real) increase in property prices.

“And on top of that, the FNB Property Barometer figures just released show that the yoy increase in property prices nationally was 6,6% in January and 6,7% in February.

“These are strong indicators that now is the time to buy, before the upward movement of prices starts to negate the benefits of low interest rates, or indeed before interest rates start to rise once more.”

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Young Carr

Aida Boksburg launches SMS campaign for CANSA funds

2012-03-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

Aida Boksburg will not only be fielding two teams in the CANSA East Rand Community Relay For Life this month, but has also begun an SMS campaign to help raise further funds to help fight cancer.
“We are reaching out to everyone in our own business network and also in the bigger Aida franchise network countrywide to make this a resounding success,” says franchise principal Denver Ramnath.
“Like many businesses and other organisations on the East Rand, we will be supporting the Cancer Association (CANSA) by entering two teams in the Relay for Life, and we will also be fundraising during the event, which is being held on 23 and 24 March at the Boksburg City Stadium.
“However, we wanted to do more to boost CANSA – which no longer obtains any State funding - so we decided to get an SMS campaign running ahead of the event, so that even people who can’t get to the relay can participate and contribute to the fight against cancer.”
Those who would like to do this should SMS the word “CANCER” to 49040 to donate R15.
The CANSA Relay For Life overnight events are part of an international movement to unite cancer survivors and the communities that care about them. The members of the teams taking part take it in turn to walk or run around a track for 12 hours, and when not walking, can enjoy camping-out, entertainment and good food, games and community camaraderie in a festive atmosphere.

Each team pays an entrance fee and in addition, each team member is encouraged to organise a minimum individual sponsorship. The proceeds of the relays and any fundraising done on site all go to CANSA to help deliver its crucial integrated cancer-control service.
“And since the government has withdrawn all funding from CANSA it is now totally up to individual communities and companies to support the organisation in their own areas or risk having no CANSA representation or assistance in that location,” says Ramnath.

Budget comment - Aida - Young Carr

2012-02-26T22:53:00.002-08:00

Young Carr, CEO of Aida National Franchises, says today's Budget makes it clear that government wants to encourage individual property ownership - and to make this possible across as much of the economic spectrum as possible.
"This will begin with the implementation of the new housing subsidy scheme to provide prospective buyers earning between R3500 and R15 000 a month with subsidies of up to R85 000 and enable them to access mortgage finance for properties priced at up to R300 000.
"Then there is the proposed mortgage support scheme, which Finance Minister Pravin Gordahn confirmed is under consideration and is expected by the banks and others in the real estate industry to come into operation later this year. It is expected to make mortgage finance more readily accessible to first-time buyers and others in the low-income or small house sector for up to about R600 000.
"And thirdly, the Minister announced significant changes today to the rate at which Capital Gains Tax will be charged, from 50% to 66% on properties owned by trusts and other legal entities and from 25% to 33% for properties owned by individuals. This is further evidence of the fact that government wants to see residential properties mostly owned by individuals - as we saw with the recent granting of an extended transfer duty exemption for those willing to transfer their properties out of CCs, companies and trusts and into their own names. It is also underlined by the fact that the threshold at which CGT becomes applicable on primary residences has now been raised from R1,5m to R2m."
In the longer term, he says, home ownership will of course also be fuelled by the massive R845bn investment in infrastructure projects over the next three years, the government's much-sharpened focus on job creation and education, and the plans to root out corruption and money wastage, especially as it applies to home building, land restitution and the improvement of urban and rural living environments.
"Overall, we are also very encouraged, from a property point of view, by the largely positive financial position in which SA finds itself, in contrast to the situation in many more developed countries as well as the other developing nations. Now if the country can unlock its resources and reserves of talent through the development of its infrastructure and people as envisoned in today's Budget, there will undoubtedly be a very strong increase in home ownership - and individual wealth creation.

Why improved tourism is positive for property

2012-02-15T04:36:00.001-08:00

Two years ago, SA was gearing up to host the Soccer World Cup – and looking forward to a major economic injection from the thousands of tourists who flocked into the country to watch the games and support their favourite teams.

“But since then,” says Aida CEO Young Carr, “there has not been nearly as much said about tourism or its value to the country, even though hosting the World Cup undoubtedly helped SA to weather the effects of the worldwide financial crisis better than most.

“A thriving tourism industry is still, however, vital to all of us, and especially the real estate industry, as it is an important catalyst for the creation of new jobs and thus a means to help more South Africans realise their dream of owning a home.”

Responding to the release of the latest tourism statistics, he said it was thus very encouraging to see that both domestic tourism and the number of foreign visitors to South Africa appeared to be on the increase once more, following a decline during most of 2011.

The latest Department of Home Affairs figures show, for instance, that some 3,7m travellers moved in and out of SA during December – with more than 2,5m of these people being foreigners, mostly from other SADC countries, the UK, the US and Germany.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Tourism Marketing Agency reported recently that the province’s tourism industry had been flourishing since December, and that the rise in domestic tourism was especially noticeable.

In addition, the latest results of the Tourism Business Index backed by the national Tourism Business Council (TBCSA) and FNB show a marked improvement in business performance for the last quarter of 2011. The index registered 87,3 in the quarter, up from 70,0 in the previous quarter and well ahead of the 80,7 expected by the industry. What is more, the expected index for the first quarter of this year is 82,2, despite the fact that these are usually the slowest months for the tourism industry in the aftermath of the festive season.

“TBCSA head Mmatsatsi Marobe recently appealed to private sector players in the industry to pay more attention to attracting domestic and SADC tourists,” notes Carr, “and we agree that given the current economic problems in Europe and other parts of the world, this is probably where the most potential for growth lies.

“And once again, that growth is vital in SA’s campaign to create employment. Tourism provides both the motivation and the means for many people to start their own businesses - including guesthouses, craft and curio shops, restaurants and specialist tour companies – and in due course to create jobs for others.

“It has certainly been a lifesaver for many small towns in the past few years and from a real estate point of view, we have seen that there is always an increase in home buying activity in areas where new jobs are being created through tourism.”

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Young Carr

2012-02-13T22:21:00.000-08:00

A Brief Description of SEO and SEM

If you want your business to be successful online you must get visitors to your website. Not just any visitors however, you need targeted visitors and you need a great deal of it. Among the best techniques for getting targeted visitors is from the various search engines and social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook which are very popular in South Africa and around the world. If someone types a keyword into a search engine they are looking for specific information so if your web site appears within the results you will have a pretty good chance at getting a very targeted visitor to your site. But exactly how does one ensure that your website is the one that comes up in the search engines? That’s where SEO or search engine optimization enters the picture.
Search engine optimization can be explained as employing a number of strategies to get your site ranking higher in the search engines for particular phrases. Effective search engine optimization should always begin with good key-phrase research. You must make an effort to optimize your web site for key terms that folks actually are trying to find in sufficient quantities but also key terms that are not so competitive that it’s going to be nearly impossible to rank for them.

This is where Website Analytics comes into our strategy for you. The analytics of what is going on ‘behind the scenes’ of the website is monitored by your webmaster and relevant alterations are made to keep your Websites Up-to-date with (or rather aiming to be ahead of) other websites in your area. There are many Companies around that help/sell these strategies. We would like to inform you of what it is you will get when subscribing to an AIDA Office Website and not be left alone in the dark and unaware of what it is that promotes websites and will get you on top with the Search Engine Results. We exclusively cater for Google Search Engine since recent statistics show that 55.98% of our visits on the National website since November 3rd 2010 is coming from Search Engines and 51.92% from Google alone. Therefore that 4% other search engines is not Priority to us and will to be attended to, since Google is South Africa’s leading Search engine when it comes to Real Estate (as many other industries).

The route that AIDA is going with the Website Strategy is to get a Website to represent each area/ city we are painting red. That websites will be linked directly to a provincial and the national website in a Spider-Web-like structure with each website linking back and forth, from and towards all the websites in the network. This strategy promotes all the websites and increases availability of AIDA Websites in search engine results.

One of the most important parts of a website is the URL (the name of your website). Explaining this very briefly, a website called www.aidaptaproperties.co.za will show as a good result when searching for keywords such as pta, aida and properties even before any code, keywords and info on the website is being looked at. In the case of www.pretoriaproperties.co or www.pretoriaproperties.co.za obviously the keywords when searching for Pretoria and Properties it will most definitely be more available in Search Engine Results.
Having one of these domains in our possession is important and would help you as an office with viewers to your office website as well as our National and Provincial websites.
SEO is very closely associated with another term, SEM or Search Engine Marketing. This is the practice of promoting your business using the major search engines, seeking to get targeted visitors to your website by ranking for your carefully selected keywords. Smart business people know that getting their goods or services in front of these types of targeted visitors boosts conversions and higher conversions means more money.

We have already explained the importance of choosing the right key terms but there is a lot more to SEO and SEM than just choosing the right key terms. That is only the beginning. The tasks you will need to complete can fall into two categories, one is called on-page search engine optimization which would be the steps you can take on your website that the major search engines want to see and off page SEO which is in essence getting back-links directed to your website from other websites. These one way links behave as a vote of confidence for your own website and the greater the number of back-links you can acquire and the better the calibre of those links the better.
There is much more to ranking highly in the search engines than I can talk about in this brief article and in reality learning proper Search engine optimisation usually takes quite a long time.
With all this said. Yes, it is very important to have SEO in place within your website and to update your website almost daily with new stock or info relevant to the Real Estate industry and or your area/city. And Yes, it might easily become very expensive to have and maintain this type of websites. Although there are many offices owning additional websites we would like you to consider having a AIDA Office website which is integrated with Our Listing Managing System (Prima List) and other AIDA Websites. Should you require more than what we offer and have other websites out of the AIDA arrangements, it will be on your own account.
In the case of websites being more available and having more ‘windows’ to connect your office and agents to is important. Less is not more in this case, thus we try feed and post our information to most of the South African Property Portals and websites available.
For any website questions and enquiries regarding your office websites you may contact me
Jaco Smit (AIDA Webmaster) at
012 6829600 or email jaco@aidasa.co.za

Best Time To Buy Real Estate From HUD Foreclosures

2012-01-09T00:10:00.001-08:00

What current real estate boom? There's not a week that goes by that CNN or Forbes or Fox News or your local paper media doesn't carry a major article about foreclosures, the housing surplus or more stringent financing by mortgage lenders. EXACTLY! It is the best time to buy Real Estate in decades primarily due to all those reasons, plus for the near term anyhow, the lowest interest rates and the cheapest home prices in our lifetime. This will drive the current real estate boom in 2012. Three times in my past I have bought at the "height" of the market, depending upon long term appreciation for the value of my homes to increase. Well the old model just doesn't work as well now but that can be overcome by adapting new strategies, such as bidding on HUD homes, that I'll cover in this and future articles.

Quality of business will be better this year, says Mr. Y.W. Carr

2012-01-08T23:29:00.000-08:00

It would be hard to over-estimate the effect that consumer sentiment has on the property market – and the past 12 months have been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for most South Africans, politically as well as financially.

“However, recent positive moves on both fronts, especially with regard to tackling unemployment, and corruption in the public service, are sending the right message to both local and overseas investors, and we expect stable interest rates and rising household incomes to further boost consumer confidence during the course of 2012,” says Young Carr, CEO of Aida National Franchises.

From a real estate industry point of view, Carr is “fairly positive” although he does not foresee that there will be any significant change in bank lending policies or increase in sales volumes.

“Affordability will no doubt increase, but we do not expect this to translate into a surge in demand or home prices, as many households will still be determined to avoid any new borrowing until they have paid off much more of their existing debt.”

But there will be a difference, he says, in the quality of the business being done. “This means, for example, that homes are less likely to be sold two, three or even four times before someone can obtain a home loan to complete the transaction. It also means that agents are less likely to spend their time and resources on marketing properties that are overpriced.”

The main reason for this change, he believes, will be that many of the agents and principals who have “toughed it out” over the past three years to stay in the industry have gained much in the way of training, resources and systems and are now able to look beyond basic survival to the growth of their businesses.

“In our own group, for example, we have not only helped our franchisees to keep their doors open by streamlining their existing businesses and making them more efficient, but also spent much time over the past few years creating several additional income streams to help them grow in the future.

“Meanwhile, we are pleased that the newly-formalised real estate industry is starting to attract new entrants once more as it steadily gains back its reputation as the place to build a good career. Aida has also signed up quite a few existing agencies that see value in our brand. This new confidence in the industry – and the property market – is evidenced by the fact that Aida has just processed over 400 applications for SETA bursaries and learnerships for new candidate agents in 2012.”

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Young Carr

Top Berea estate agency joins Aida

2011-12-14T01:29:00.001-08:00

A long-established agency operating on Durban's Berea has joined the Aida National Franchises property group and just re-launched under its new banner.

Principal Renu Sewpersad said she was confident her office would further entrench its already-strong market position as part of the Aida group, as there were many synergies that would benefit both the agency and its clients.

"Apart from sharing our vision, Aida is bringing formidable business partners and a stable, reliable brand name to the table."

Aida CEO Young Carr said the Berea agency, established in 2003, had proved its mettle in the local market and would further enhance his group's countrywide representation, bringing the total number of Aida offices in KZN to seven.

Sewpersad says the Berea residential market is currently underpinned by a healthy interest among younger buyers with good credit records.

"Berea currently attracts young buyers between the ages of 25 and 35. Buyers

in this age group are moving out from Durban Central but are not quite ready

to embrace a fully-fledged suburban lifestyle. Situated between the city

centre and suburbia, Berea is the ideal transition destination since many

new residents who prefer a quieter neighbourhood still work in the city.

"The suburb also offers good schools - an important consideration for buyers

with young families - and ample shopping facilities. And the nearest beach

is a mere 3km away."

Affordability also contributes heavily to Berea's popularity among young

buyers, Sewpersad adds. "Units priced between R500 000 and R1m are in

greatest demand and sell relatively fast but buyers' resistance kicks in at

prices above this level.

"However, sellers are now more amenable to negotiation and are willing to

drop asking prices by up to 10% to accommodate buyers who qualify for

smaller bonds."

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Mr.Young W. Carr

Aida Berea: 031 309 4007

Contact: Renu Sewpersad (Principal)

South Africans pack for Hermanus instead of Perth

2011-12-07T03:41:00.001-08:00

Hermanus in the Western Cape is replacing Australia in the affections of many South Africans who want a slower and more secure lifestyle.

With the exchange rate currently at about R8 to an Australian dollar it is not only cheaper to move to Hermanus instead of “Down Under”, says Ludwig Schulenburg of the local Aida franchise, but Hermanus also meets all the criteria of the most popular Australian destinations.

"The town is relatively crime free, offers a wonderful lifestyle on the coast, a pleasant climate, and business opportunities aplenty," he says. "And, of course, buyers who opt for Hermanus instead of Perth still have their local support network of family and friends."

Hermanus, traditionally a holiday and retirement destination, now regularly draws economically active buyers from large metropoles in Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Cape, he says, and the new 'settlers' have swelled the number of permanent residents to 55 000.

"Buyers are typically in their forties and relocate to Hermanus to escape the rat race, but the booming local economy allows them to set up own businesses, earn a living at their own pace and have time to spend with their families.

"The local state school, with a 100% matric pass rate for the past 17 years, is an added attraction and a Curro private school, which opened its doors earlier this year, now offers parents the choice of giving their children a private school education."

Holiday homes are, however, still in demand and buyers are taking advantage of market-related prices, Schulenburg says. Sellers, who up until very recently held out for their asking prices, are now much more inclined to negotiate with prospective buyers in order to clinch a deal.

Prices of two-bedroom apartments currently start at around R600 000, townhouses are selling at prices from R800 000, while prices of family homes start at the R1m mark, he says.

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Young Carr

Aida Hermanus: 082 444 0592

Contact: Ludwig Schulenburg

Sleepy Muldersdrift wakes up

2011-12-06T23:33:00.001-08:00

Muldersdrift, traditionally a quiet agricultural area characterised by smallholders keeping a few horses, sheep and chickens, has become the new housing hotspot on the West Rand.

"It's the new hip place to be", says Sienie van der Merwe of the local Aida office. "Muldersdrift is now the focus of new residential development on the urban edge and buyers are spoilt for choice between sectional title units and units in housing estates.

"It is conveniently located within easy reach of Lanseria airport and many professionals who have to travel often prefer to fly from - and live near - Lanseria rather than battle through traffic from the West Rand to reach Oliver Tambo International," she says.

"It is also near the main routes leading to Pretoria and Midrand, where many residents work. And once the upgrade of the R28 crossing to Muldersdrift is completed, access to and from the main routes will be much improved."

New office blocks are also drawing businesses to the area and Van der Merwe expects that this will stimulate the local residential market as employees come to realise the benefits of living close to their work places in an area that also offers a sought-after lifestyle.

"Another draw card is the nearby Ruimsig Golf Course - especially among retirees and businessmen. And the Silver Star Casino on the R28 is a popular entertainment hub on the West Rand. It has become a favourite venue for a night's entertainment at the many excellent restaurants or at one of the regular shows," she adds.

Prices of townhouses in the area start at around R700 000 for a two-bedroom unit, while units in security estates such as Featherbrook start at around R2m.

The demand for development land has seen prices escalate, she says. Undeveloped agricultural holdings of 1ha that can be rezoned for development now reach prices of about R2m.

Developed holdings are selling at prices ranging from R1,5m to R7m, depending on location. "But," says Van der Merwe, "at these price levels buyers are making lifestyle choices - the days of buying a holding in Muldersdrift with an eye to growing a few crops or running a few sheep are numbered."

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Young Carr

Aida Randfontein: 082 854 7196

Contact: Sienie van der Merwe

Aida flag now flying in Fishhoek

2011-11-27T22:07:00.001-08:00

Aida National Franchises has acquired a new office in Fish Hoek with the conversion of an existing estate agency to the tried and trusted South African brand.

Co-owner Maggi-Mae Vidas says the office, established in 2008, has built up a sound market presence and she looks forward to introducing Aida's expertise and solid reputation to the existing client base. Aida Cape Lifestyle Homes will serve the whole Cape Peninsula market.

Maggi-Mae says investors are still buying holiday properties in the area although sales are slower as investment buyers take their time to source good value. "Our core market remains local buyers who are attracted by the comfortable lifestyle offered in Fish Hoek and surrounds.

"The area is still very popular among retirees who prefer a comfortable seaside lifestyle within reach of a host of amenities. And then, of course, the more temperate climate here clinches the deal for many retirees as well as family buyers. Superb views are an added bonus for many."

The area has a wide variety of properties on offer, including entry-level flats at prices from R500 000, comfortable family homes starting at about R1m and luxury homes with price tags of up to R10m.

Maggi-Mae adds that the peninsula offers price advantages to buyers. "Properties here offer better value than similar areas closer to Cape Town's city centre while office workers can comfortably commute to workplaces by train.

"Another factor favouring Fish Hoek is that the area is very family-friendly. Good schools, a hospital, several banks offering forex, and a host of excellent restaurants are some of the conveniences that residents enjoy.

"And then there is the family-sized beach with lawns for comfortable weekend outings, while the local sailing club launching off the beach adds a touch of glamour. A resident Great White Shark has become something of a local mascot and attraction - but lifeguards make sure that swimmers remain safe when the predator puts in an appearance," she says.

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Young Carr

Aida Cape Lifestyle Homes: 021 782 9263

Contact: Maggi-Mae Vidas

First homes sold in new retirement village in Onrus near Hermanus

2011-11-04T01:40:00.001-07:00

With its combination of seaside tranquillity and modern convenience, Onrus is a perfect retirement location, and soon now it will also have a purpose-built retirement village where residents can fulfil their dreams of a “cottage by the sea”.

So says Deon Esterhuyse of marketing agency Aida Onrus, who notes that groundworks for the development, named Twee Fonteine, have already been completed and that the community centre at the heart of the village is due for completion by the end of next year.

“Meanwhile, although building has just started on the first free-standing home in the village, which will serve as a showhouse, six of the homes have already been sold, and enquiries are being received daily.”

There will ultimately be 75 full title homes in the development, as well as 42 sectional title units, he explains. “The full title units, ranging in size from 128sqm to 183sqm, will all have two bathrooms and two or three bedrooms plus a single or double garage, as well as a spacious veranda. There will also be the option of an added braai room at a cost of below R4 000/sqm.

“Sited on stands ranging in size from 252sqm to 498sqm, these homes are being sold on a plot-and-plan basis at prices from R1,325m to R1,8m, and buyers will have 12 months from the date they purchase the stand to start building.”

The sectional title units, ranging in size from 28sqm right up to 83sqm, will be incorporated in the central building housing the community centre, which will also contain a kitchen, dining room, ladies’ bar and lounge, assisted living and frail-care facilities. Prices for these units currently range from R560 000 to R1,66m. All prices include VAT.

Esterhuyse says this is an ideal investment opportunity for those who would like to rent their units out prior to their own retirement in future.

He notes that the whole development will enjoy a high level of security, with a single guarded access point and a perimeter wall topped with electric fencing.

“Each home will also be equipped with a panic button connecting it to the nursing station in the community centre, and Elcare, which operates in many retirement villages around the country, will provide professional medical care.”

Finance is available for qualified purchasers.

*For more information about Twee Fonteine, contact Aida Onrus on 028-316-3393 or aidaon@mweb.co.za, or Deon Esterhuyse on 083 284 0027.

Top local agency to fly Aida flag

2011-10-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

The Prospur Real Estate group, one of the best known and most successful in the Cape Flats and surrounding suburbs, has decided to take its operation to the next level and join Aida National Franchises.

Established 15 years ago by agency principal Riyard Abrahams, Prospur will from now on be known as Aida Prospur, and expects to benefit enormously from the business systems and varied marketing platforms of the national group.

“Aida is undoubtedly SA’s favourite and most trusted real estate brand,” says Abrahams, “and having grown into a major player in our region, we believe the time is now right to further expand the dynamics of our organisation and tap into this national recognition.

“We have the local expertise and the qualifications, but it is most important to us that we will now be able to offer our clients more and better services and expose their properties to a much wider audience of potential buyers.”

Aida CEO Young Carr says Prospur is a most welcome addition to the national group. “This is a quality local business with an excellent reputation and significant market share. It has dynamic management and properly-qualified and very professional agents who we will be proud to acknowledge as Aida representatives.”

With an agent complement of 30, Aida Prospur has offices in Mitchells Plain and Wetton, and also serves clients in Athlone, Grassy Park, Lansdowne and Ottery on the Cape Flats, as well as homebuyers and sellers in southern suburbs such as Plumstead, Retreat, Rondebosch and Steenberg.

“At the moment we are mostly handling properties in the affordable and middle-income sectors,” says Abrahams, “with sales generally taking place in the R300 000 to R1,2m range.

“However, we’re sure that under the Aida banner, we will now be able not only to increase our sales but gain more traction in the R2m to R5m market.”

Issued by Aida National Franchises

Aida head office: 012 682 9600

Contact: Young Carr(CEO)

Aida Prospur: 021 761 0707

Contact: Riyard Abrahams

Assisted sales fuel Midrand market

2011-09-16T02:58:00.001-07:00

Julie Davison-White, principal of the Aida Midrand office, reports that banks have been granting bonds of up to 100% to buyers with good credit records when they buy property in these areas, as well as some other parts of Midrand.

“This is not the norm, as most buyers still have to have deposits of at least five or 10%, but many buyers in Clayville and Tembisa have been purchasing via the assisted sales programmes offered by the banks to financially distressed homeowners. Through these programmes, buyers are often able to access 100% bonds as well as a 50% reduction in transfer costs, enabling them to get a foothold in the market much more easily.”

Aida is one of 10 companies countrywide that is assisting distressed sellers for all four major banks, she explains, “and Aida Midrand is proud to have assisted many distressed owners to sell their properties at reasonable prices instead of having them repossessed and having their credit records badly tarnished”.

Such properties, she says, have generally sold very quickly, at prices ranging from R350 000 to R550 000 for freestanding homes in Tembisa and from R550 000 to R700 000 for freehold homes in Clayville.

Meanwhile, says Davison-White, there is also strong demand for lower-priced properties in popular areas such as Vorna Valley, where unit prices average R550 000; Halfway Gardens, where townhouses are priced at between R650 000 and R900 000 and Noordwyk, where houses priced at below R1m “are selling like hotcakes”.

As for freehold homes in higher price brackets, Halfway Gardens is currently one of the most popular areas for buyers targeting suburban homes priced between R1,1m and R2,2m, and clusters costing between R1,4m and R2,5m, and sales are increasing, she says.

“What has declined is the demand for vacant land in Midrand, but developed agricultural smallholdings are still sought-after at prices starting from R1,2m.”

Meanwhile the rental market is very lively and stock has been boosted by softer selling prices. “It has been difficult for owners who bought their properties in the past five years to sell at a profit or even at a price equal to their outstanding bond and many have offered these properties for rental instead.”

Two-bedroom units renting for around R4000 to R4500 a month are in strong demand, Davison-White says, and three-bedroom homes readily draw tenants at rentals of between R5500 and R6500 a month.

“Smaller one-bedroom units at R2500 a month are also sought-after but there is little stock available in this category. Rental properties near the Gautrain station and bus routes are particularly popular now among Tuks students who can commute easily and quickly to the Hatfield university campus, and among professionals who prefer this method of commuting to their Pretoria or Johannesburg offices.”

Tips: 10 Ways to Prepare for a Showing Appointment

2011-09-06T00:56:00.000-07:00

An agent left a message on your voice mail. She will be at your home, buyers in tow, in less than forty five minutes. Sound the alarms, all homeowners to battle stations, you are about to encounter a showing appointment!

Oddly enough, buyer showings seem to occur more often than not at the worst possible times. So what do you do when you need to prepare for a showing without a lot of time? Let’s take a look at 10 ways to prepare for a showing:

Mini mop ups

Sweep the kitchen, bathroom, and entry way. If needed, use a cleaning towel or sponge to clean any spots or debris.
Dust the furniture

A quick wipe down of the furniture, TV screens, and computer monitors can help make each room shine.
Clean off counters

All counters should be clean and clear. Remove clutter as well – small appliances, knick knacks, and odds and ends should be stored.
Beds made

All the beds in the home should be made. If your bed spreads are faded, dated, torn, or ripped consider updating them with new covers.
Garbage cans empty

All garbage cans need to be empty. Also wash them out once a week and give them a quick spay of disinfectant to cut down odors.
Carpets vacuumed

Give the carpets a quick once over to fluff them up. Focus your efforts on the entry and living room.
Lights on

A dark home is gloomy. Turn on all the lights in the home, and open drapes and blinds to brighten the home. Also be sure your windows are clean.
Load the dishwasher

Clear the dishes off the counters by loading the dishwasher but don’t start the cycle if it will be running during the showing.
Load the washer and dryer

Clothes should be picked up and either placed in a hamper or loaded into the washer or dryer. Again don’t start the cycle if it will be running during the showing.
Pick up every room

Work backward from the entry point of the home to the furthest bedroom picking up everything up off the floors and counter surfaces.

Thanks to trulia.com for this Article.

Mortgage Rates Drop; Approach New Lows!

2011-09-06T00:52:00.000-07:00

As Congress and President Obama hammered out a debt deal over the past week, mortgage rates plunged — hitting new lows in some instances.

The 30-year fixed rate, usually the most popular choice for home buyers, fell to 4.45% from 4.57% last week — its lowest point since last November, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Meanwhile, the rate on the less popular 15-year fixed plunged to a new record low of 3.52%, down from 3.67% a week earlier.

Read the full article here.

Via: cnn.com

It’s never too early to start building a healthy credit record.

2011-09-06T00:43:00.000-07:00

That’s the advice of Young Carr, CEO of the Aida property group, who notes: “Most homebuyers need home loans, but what many don’t appreciate is that the process of obtaining this credit actually needs to begin years in advance of the decision to buy property.
“The first thing banks will do on receiving a home loan application is to check on the prospective borrower’s credit history, which means that good management of monthly bills, including any clothing or furniture accounts and credit card payments, is critical even for young people who have no immediate plans to buy a home.”
It is also important for future buyers to open a savings or cheque account in their own name, to keep it balanced and not to overrun credit limits. “And a history of full payment on time for a major purchase, say a car, will be a great recommendation for any mortgage applicant,” he says.
“Getting an early start on building a good credit record in this way also means that if there are any minor misjudgements early in a working career, they will most probably be outweighed by a longer period of good credit management when the time does come to buy a home.”
Carr says it is particularly important for those who are working on their credit records to pay attention to the “due dates” on their bills. “For credit reporting purposes, overdue accounts are usually anything unpaid for longer than 30 days. So if the due date is the 1st of the month, say, the debtor must make sure that his payment will actually reach the creditor on or before the 1st – and inside the 30-day window. The advent of electronic banking has of course made this much easier to manage.”
It is also important for potential borrowers to pay attention to the implications of the National Credit Act, which provides that lenders must ensure, before they grant any new credit, that borrowers will not be committing too much of their income to debt repayment.
“They do this by compiling a complete debt profile including all other repayments the consumer has to make as well as regular monthly expenditure on such items as transport, food and school fees before they can approve a home loan.
“However, it must be said that this is not the only good reason to keep the total of your monthly debt repayment obligations as low as possible. The other is that doing so will also give you plenty of leeway to cope with any future interest rate increases without financial hardship, whether you are a homeowner by then or not.”

Property - AÏDA - Real Estate - Gauteng - Midrand - Midlands Estate - #333004695 : 3 bedroom 3 bathroom

2011-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

The CEO's CHOICE for September 2011

Have a look at this property in Midlands Estate in Centurion. At this price for a property of this caliber you would be left in the dark having not seem this property.

With this size of erf, this property is perfect as a Family home. Well located and safe with loads of space to enjoy a non-cramped life.

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AÏDA - Real Estate - Gauteng - Midrand - Midlands Estate - AIDA WEB REF# 333004695 :VERY Modern and Stylish House is Estate with a BIG Erf. 3 bedroom 3 bathroom

Jemima Badenhorst

0832581484

japieb@mweb.co.za

Property - AÏDA - Real Estate - Gauteng - Centurion - Lyttelton - #990381637 : 1.5 bedroom 1 bathroom

2011-08-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

Property - AÏDA - Real Estate - Gauteng - Centurion - Lyttelton - #990381637 : 1.5 bedroom 1 bathroomjavascript:void(0)

A good credit record is worth cultivating

2011-08-26T01:34:00.000-07:00

26 August 2011

It’s never too early to start building a healthy credit record.

That’s the advice of Young Carr, CEO of the Aida property group, who notes: “Most homebuyers need home loans, but what many don’t appreciate is that the process of obtaining this credit actually needs to begin years in advance of the decision to buy property.

“The first thing banks will do on receiving a home loan application is to check on the prospective borrower’s credit history, which means that good management of monthly bills, including any clothing or furniture accounts and credit card payments, is critical even for young people who have no immediate plans to buy a home.”

It is also important for future buyers to open a savings or cheque account in their own name, to keep it balanced and not to overrun credit limits. “And a history of full payment on time for a major purchase, say a car, will be a great recommendation for any mortgage applicant,” he says.

“Getting an early start on building a good credit record in this way also means that if there are any minor misjudgements early in a working career, they will most probably be outweighed by a longer period of good credit management when the time does come to buy a home.”

Carr says it is particularly important for those who are working on their credit records to pay attention to the “due dates” on their bills. “For credit reporting purposes, overdue accounts are usually anything unpaid for longer than 30 days. So if the due date is the 1st of the month, say, the debtor must make sure that his payment will actually reach the creditor on or before the 1st – and inside the 30-day window. The advent of electronic banking has of course made this much easier to manage.”

It is also important for potential borrowers to pay attention to the implications of the National Credit Act, which provides that lenders must ensure, before they grant any new credit, that borrowers will not be committing too much of their income to debt repayment.

“They do this by compiling a complete debt profile including all other repayments the consumer has to make as well as regular monthly expenditure on such items as transport, food and school fees before they can approve a home loan.
“However, it must be said that this is not the only good reason to keep the total of your monthly debt repayment obligations as low as possible. The other is that doing so will also give you plenty of leeway to cope with any future interest rate increases without financial hardship, whether you are a homeowner by then or not.”

Issued by Aida National Franchises
Aida head office: 012 682 9600
Contact: Young Carr

Lowveld farmland in demand

2011-08-25T00:21:00.003-07:00

23 August 2011

Food shortages are becoming a worldwide concern, with current prices at the highest level in three years – and the situation is no different in South Africa.

“Food security and a very real need for improved output are vital to ensure social stability,” says Marelize Schuld, principal of the Aida Lowveld office. “With the world population fast approaching 7bn people and estimated to top 9bn by 2050, global food production will have to increase substantially to put food on every table.

“Demand for agricultural land world-wide is consequently rising sharply as investors see value in the commodity against the background of extreme volatility on stock markets. And farms in the Lowveld, as one of South Africa’s pre-eminent food-producing areas, represent solid value in spite of – or perhaps because of - the current economic climate.

“Agricultural land, and developed farms in particular, offer an excellent return on investment and the Lowveld is experiencing a growing demand for the commodity among farmers and corporate buyers from all corners of the country. Banana, macadamia nut and avo farms are particularly popular.”

At the same time, she notes, incentives have been launched to motivate established farmers and agri-businesses in the area to continue operations, and assistance to buy land or consolidate debts is available.

“Various commercial banks support the sector and offer financial expertise and tailored services. These include special mortgage products for first-time buyers, while short-term loans to finance harvesting and other operations such as processing, transport and storage of products can be arranged.”

Schuld adds that it is heartening that the Land Bank has just earmarked R1bn over the next two years to assist emerging farmers. “Land claims in the Lowveld are still being settled and farmers are taking it in their stride. But it is vital that new farmers who are settled on productive land maintain the highest possible production levels.”

In view of the importance of secure food production, Aida Lowveld has committed its services to the sector. “Our office fields experienced specialist agents who invest their energies and knowledge in this important sector and go all out to smooth transactions and transfers for buyers and sellers alike.”

Meanwhile, the Lowveld has lost none of its appeal among investors and city slickers who yearn for wider horizons. Eco and wildlife estates have consequently made a welcome appearance in Barberton, Hazyview and Nelspruit. Many of these developments adhere to green building principles and offer secure living.

Schuld says, however, that although interest in these units is high, strict lending criteria are dampening sales because interested buyers struggle to get the required large deposits together.

Issued by Aida National Franchises
Aida head office: 012 682 9600
Contact: Young Carr
Aida Lowveld: 013 750 2069
Contact: Marelize Schuld

Aida opens new coastal offices

2011-08-25T00:20:00.000-07:00

10 August 2011

Still on the expansion trail it has been following for the past 18 months, national real estate group Aida has just opened three more offices in KwaZulu-Natal – two on the South Coast and one in Ballito on the North Coast.

This brings the total of Aida outlets in the province to six, and there are more in the pipeline, says CEO Young Carr. “The KZN property market is beginning to recover from the recession, with prices starting to rise now in response to increased demand.

“Indeed, the latest Absa Housing Review reveals that the average home price in the province during the second quarter of this year was 5% up on the first quarter, and that year-on-year price growth is back in positive territory.”

However, he says, prices are generally still well below boom levels, and the increased activity in the market is in recognition of the fact that there are many really excellent buying opportunities now for both local homeowners looking to upgrade and out-of-province holiday home buyers and investors.

“We believe the timing is thus opportune to establish new outlets that can further showcase these opportunities to a national audience and benefit KZN home sellers.”

Carr says home sellers along the KZN coast should also take heart from the latest FNB Property Barometer, which reveals that holiday home purchasing has more than doubled in the past year.

“Holiday property buying expressed as a percentage of total residential buying has risen from an estimated 1% in mid-2010 to an estimated 3% by the end of the second quarter this year – which we think is excellent news considering that at the peak of the market in 2007, holiday home buying accounted for just 5% of all purchases.”

What is more, he notes, closer analysis of the Absa figures reveals that KZN coastal regions, while coming off a low base, experienced some of the best year-on-year performances in the second quarter of this year, “and we expected these to be sustained by growing buyer interest, especially on the North Coast.”

Issued by Aida National Franchises
Aida head office: 012 682 9600
Contact: Young Carr

Property - AÏDA - Real Estate - Free State - Bloemfontein - Willows - #2694427 : 2 bedroom 1 bathroom

2011-08-25T00:04:00.000-07:00

Property - AÏDA - Real Estate - Free State - Bloemfontein - Willows - #2694427 : 2 bedroom 1 bathroom