Aïda Properties Polokwane will host its second road
race on Friday, 27 April. The race, approved by Athletics South Africa and
organised in collaboration with Run/Walk For Life, will give serious athletes
an opportunity to warm up for the Comrades on 2 June and social runners the
chance to flex their muscles.
“And even those not-so-fit athletes will be able to enjoy the day on a 5km fun
run or walk,” says Anton Hanekom, owner of the local Aïda franchise.
This year's race will include a 15km course and at least 500 athletes are
expected to turn up at the starting point at Aïda's office in Schoeman Street,
which will also serve as the finishing line. A 10km run and the 5km run/walk
have been retained to make family participation possible. The starting gun will
sound at 07h30 sharp.
Prize money to the value of R7000 is up for grabs and winners and runners-up in
the various categories will also be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. The
categories are: juniors (16 to 19 years old), open (20 to 39), veterans (40 to
49), masters (50 to 59), and grand masters (60 plus).
Entry fees for the 5km fun run are R25, while athletes in the 10km road race
can enter for a R30 fee and those in the 15km race for a R40 fee. Temporary
licenses for athletes who are not members of an athletics club and who enter
the 10km and 15km races can be obtained for R25.
Other local businesses are once again on board for the event and will market
their brands along the race route. Hanekom says businesses are also invited to
man watering points. "It is a great opportunity to share in a community
event, while showcasing their own brands. Other estate agencies are also
invited to take part as a team and in their own colours.”
Aïda staff will be out in full force to man the watering point at the starting
and finishing line and will set up a food and beverage stand for the hungry and
thirsty. To add to the festive carnival atmosphere a DJ will entertain the
crowds with lively music.
Hanekom says a total of 450 athletes participated last year and the event was a
resounding success, with local residents turning out in force to encourage the
athletes. "And this year, we’re certain we are going to cap that!"
For more information, Hanekom can be contacted on 082 443 6039
Monday, 29 April 2013
Friday, 26 April 2013
Security, convenience making luxury flats popular
HIGH-END buyers on the move are once again targeting highrise flat living due to convenience and security, according to Braam de Jager, national operations manager of Aida.
“Luxury flats and loft units are very popular now in areas such as Cape Town, uMhlanga, Durban and Sandton. And though such flats in coastal cities may offer sweeping views that add to their attraction, most buyers’ first concern in choosing them is security while they are in residence and when they lock up and leave to travel.”
Flats in closed precincts such as Melrose Arch in Joburg and Century City in the Cape are also selling well, and De Jager reports that buyers here generally cite the same reasons for their choice of property.
At the lower end of the market, flats remain popular as student accommodation in suburbs surrounding universities such as Rondebosch, Hatfield in Pretoria, Berea in Durban and Auckland Park in Joburg.
In addition to security reasons, parents buying flats for their children enrolled at universities view these units as good investments that will yield satisfactory returns, and a much better prospect than spending large sums on accommodation in university residences for the three or four years of undergraduate study.
De Jager says first-time buyers are also finding value in smaller flats because prices are still much lower than entrylevel units in townhouse complexes, whereas security measures are often on par.
He cautions prospective buyers in this market segment, however, not to take it for granted that security measures at all complexes are equal.
“If your main reason for buying is security, you would do well to compare systems at different complexes before making a choice.
“Consumers should also keep in mind that the degree of sophistication – for instance, electronically secured entrances and remote surveillance of entrances – will probably be reflected in the purchase price.”
And then even with the most sophisticated systems in place, he says, security should never be taken for granted.
“Luckily, there are many common-sense measures residents in complexes can implement to remain safe, like taking care that strangers don’t slip in behind you when you enter or leave the building through security doors, and always making sure of the identity of visitors buzzing your call button before allowing them access.”
Residents who often travel are also advised to arrange with the security staff to remove mail piling up in their absence.
“Uncollected mail is a sure advertisement that the owner of the unit is not in residence, which may well catch the attention of opportunistic burglars.”
De Jager adds that secure complexes with even the most stringent security measures are never islands unto themselves.
“Prospective buyers should also survey the surrounding area and assess the existing security, as well as deterrents such as proper lighting and pavements that are maintained to deny cover to any lurkers.”
Pay off your bond before retirement
IF YOU’RE dreaming of a carefree retirement, one of your major aims should be to make sure you will be living rent or bond-free.
“When you retire and become dependent on a fixed income, the last thing you need is a surprise increase in home loan repayments or rent,” says Braam de Jager, national operations manager of Aida.
“Many people planning for retirement overlook their home loan commitments – especially if the repayment is automatically deducted from their salary. They forget that once they stop earning, that repayment will have to come out of their monthly pension.”
To avoid this, Aida suggests anyone nearing retirement should make it a priority to pay off their home loan beforehand. That will ensure one of the biggest cost-of-living items is reduced to the cost of municipal rates and services and that there can be no nasty interest rate shocks in the future.
Of course, the surest – and easiest – way to ensure your home loan is paid off by the time you retire is to pay more than the minimum monthly repayment required, right from the start, De Jager says.
“This will ensure that the loan is liquidated in far fewer than 20 years – and will generate a very large saving in interest charges.
“What is more, it may enable you to supplement your retirement funds for five, or even 10, years by the amount that you would otherwise have been paying off your home loan.”
Alternatively, he says, if retirement is going to mean a move to a new home anyway, you might be able to eliminate remaining loan obligations on your old home by downscaling.
“Most retired people do not need – or want – a large home that requires a lot of maintenance and upkeep. And if they are selling a family home, the proceeds may well be enough to buy a smaller home for cash.
“The lower running costs of a smaller home will also help them maintain their standard of living, despite having a lower income, and having to cope with the steady erosion of its buying power through inflation.”
And finally, if the sale of a family home is not on the cards, it may be worth using a portion of the taxfree lump-sum payout on retirement to settle the outstanding balance on a home loan.
“Overall,” says De Jager, “the peace of mind and practical benefits of bond-free or rent-free living in retirement will more than compensate for any short-term financial sacrifice you have to make now, while you are still working and earning, to achieve that goal.”
Monday, 1 April 2013
Boksburg residential market lifts head
Buyers' confidence in Boksburg's residential market is growing and property sales are consequently picking up speed.
Denver Ramnath, who holds the local Aida franchise, reports that this movement is largely being driven by an improved home loan approval rate - “which is now at around 60% of applications compared with only about 40% two years ago”.
It also helps, he says, that an increasing number of local buyers are now realising that they need to save a deposit of at least 10% of the purchase price to obtain a loan, although new entrants to the market are still struggling to save large enough deposits because many of them also have to pay for rental accommodation in the interim.
"We notice, however, that banks are starting to build up their market shares in the entry-level market, where prices range up to R600 000. Prospective buyers earning between R9 000 and R16 000 per month with clean credit records are increasingly obtaining 100% loans for homes in this price category in previously disadvantaged areas."
Meanwhile, self-employed people are still finding it difficult to obtain home loans, even if they have saved up substantial deposits, and Ramnath says there is clearly a disconnect between government's encouragement of entrepreneurs who can create jobs and the lack of finance available to such people.
"We currently have a case of a successful garage owner who has saved R200 000 for a deposit, yet because he is a small business owner he is struggling to obtain a home loan for a modestly-priced property," he says
However, overall higher demand in the residential market is now leading to shortage of stock in certain sectors of the Boksburg market. Ramnath says most sales are currently taking place in the R500 000 to R1,2m price range and that stock at the lower end of this range is running low, with any available units usually finding qualified buyers very quickly."
Compact townhouses of about 50sqm and with two bedrooms are selling from R500 000 upwards, while R1,2m will buy a three-bedroom family home with two bathrooms, a pool and double garage. Upmarket clusters of around 200sqm under roof in secure areas are selling at prices of up to R1,5m.
Denver Ramnath, who holds the local Aida franchise, reports that this movement is largely being driven by an improved home loan approval rate - “which is now at around 60% of applications compared with only about 40% two years ago”.
It also helps, he says, that an increasing number of local buyers are now realising that they need to save a deposit of at least 10% of the purchase price to obtain a loan, although new entrants to the market are still struggling to save large enough deposits because many of them also have to pay for rental accommodation in the interim.
"We notice, however, that banks are starting to build up their market shares in the entry-level market, where prices range up to R600 000. Prospective buyers earning between R9 000 and R16 000 per month with clean credit records are increasingly obtaining 100% loans for homes in this price category in previously disadvantaged areas."
Meanwhile, self-employed people are still finding it difficult to obtain home loans, even if they have saved up substantial deposits, and Ramnath says there is clearly a disconnect between government's encouragement of entrepreneurs who can create jobs and the lack of finance available to such people.
"We currently have a case of a successful garage owner who has saved R200 000 for a deposit, yet because he is a small business owner he is struggling to obtain a home loan for a modestly-priced property," he says
However, overall higher demand in the residential market is now leading to shortage of stock in certain sectors of the Boksburg market. Ramnath says most sales are currently taking place in the R500 000 to R1,2m price range and that stock at the lower end of this range is running low, with any available units usually finding qualified buyers very quickly."
Compact townhouses of about 50sqm and with two bedrooms are selling from R500 000 upwards, while R1,2m will buy a three-bedroom family home with two bathrooms, a pool and double garage. Upmarket clusters of around 200sqm under roof in secure areas are selling at prices of up to R1,5m.
Affordable homes launched in Polokwane
Two new housing developments in the affordable sector in Polokwane are being launched this month (subs March 2013).
The developments will bring almost 300 new units to market and will go some way towards relieving supply pressures in the sector, says Anton Hanekom, owner of the local Aida franchise, which holds the marketing mandates for the developments.
Hanekom expects brisk demand for the 104 stands in the new Mahlasedi Park development as well as the 179 new units in the third phase of the established Rethabile Gardens situated between the city and the Seshego area. Transfer of 98 units in the first phase of this development has been completed and 80% of units in the second phase have been sold.
Building packages with prices ranging from R400 000 to R600 000 are on offer for stands of about 300sqm and compact homes from about 40sqm in the two new developments
Hanekom says homes in this price range are popular among upwardly mobile civil servants. "Many have found stable employment in State departments since Polokwane became the seat of the Limpopo provincial government. For many buyers this is their first foray into the formal housing market and we are also seeing demand from buyers coming from areas such as Lebowakgomo and Venda who have found formal employment in the city."
At the same time, units in the Mahlako-A-Phahla Gardens development launched last year are selling well, with 83% of the 171 units sold.
"We view the vibrant uptake of properties in this sector as a healthy development in the local market, since the strong contingent of entrants holds the promise that they will build equity in their homes and later upgrade, which will stimulate demand in middle and top sectors of the market that have taken a bit of a back-seat recently due to the stringent requirements for obtaining bonds," Hanekom says.
Indeed, demand for slightly more upmarket properties is already becoming evident and to cater for this sector a new development in the popular Bendor area is in the planning stages, he says. Bushveld Views will offer 280 stands of about 600sqm each at very competitive prices. Buyers may either elect to build their own homes or may arrange building packages with the developers. The development is situated near the highly successful Mall of the North, and will be officially launched towards the middle of the year.
The developments will bring almost 300 new units to market and will go some way towards relieving supply pressures in the sector, says Anton Hanekom, owner of the local Aida franchise, which holds the marketing mandates for the developments.
Hanekom expects brisk demand for the 104 stands in the new Mahlasedi Park development as well as the 179 new units in the third phase of the established Rethabile Gardens situated between the city and the Seshego area. Transfer of 98 units in the first phase of this development has been completed and 80% of units in the second phase have been sold.
Building packages with prices ranging from R400 000 to R600 000 are on offer for stands of about 300sqm and compact homes from about 40sqm in the two new developments
Hanekom says homes in this price range are popular among upwardly mobile civil servants. "Many have found stable employment in State departments since Polokwane became the seat of the Limpopo provincial government. For many buyers this is their first foray into the formal housing market and we are also seeing demand from buyers coming from areas such as Lebowakgomo and Venda who have found formal employment in the city."
At the same time, units in the Mahlako-A-Phahla Gardens development launched last year are selling well, with 83% of the 171 units sold.
"We view the vibrant uptake of properties in this sector as a healthy development in the local market, since the strong contingent of entrants holds the promise that they will build equity in their homes and later upgrade, which will stimulate demand in middle and top sectors of the market that have taken a bit of a back-seat recently due to the stringent requirements for obtaining bonds," Hanekom says.
Indeed, demand for slightly more upmarket properties is already becoming evident and to cater for this sector a new development in the popular Bendor area is in the planning stages, he says. Bushveld Views will offer 280 stands of about 600sqm each at very competitive prices. Buyers may either elect to build their own homes or may arrange building packages with the developers. The development is situated near the highly successful Mall of the North, and will be officially launched towards the middle of the year.
Don’t take security for granted when buying apartments
Luxury apartments and loft units are very popular now in areas such as Cape Town, Umhlanga, Durban and Sandton, says Braam de Jager, national operations manager of Aida, South Africa's best-known estate agency group.
"And while such apartments in coastal cities may offer sweeping views that add to their attraction, most buyers' first concern in choosing them is security while they are in residence and when they lock-up-and-leave to travel or attend to business elsewhere."
Apartments in closed precincts such as Melrose Arch in Johannesburg and Century City in the Cape are also selling well and De Jager reports that buyers here generally cite the same reasons for their choice of property.
At the lower end of the market, flats remain popular as student accommodation in suburbs surrounding local universities, such Rondebosch in the Cape, Hatfield in Pretoria, Berea in Durban, and Braamfontein and Auckland park in Johannesburg. In addition to security reasons, parents buying flats for their children enrolled at universities view these units as good investments that will yield satisfactory returns, and thus a much better prospect than spending large sums on accommodation in university residences for the three or four years of undergraduate study.
De Jager says first-time buyers are also finding value in smaller flats and apartments because prices are still much lower than entry-level units in townhouse complexes while security measures are often on par.
He cautions prospective buyers in this market segment, however, not to take it for granted that security measures at all complexes are equal.
"If your main reason for buying is security, you would do well to compare systems at different complexes before making a choice. Consumers should also keep in mind that the degree of sophistication - for instance electronically secured entrances and remote surveillance of entrances - will probably be reflected in the purchase price."
And then even with the most sophisticated systems in place, he says, security should never be taken for granted.
"Luckily, there are many common-sense measures residents in complexes can implement to remain safe, like taking care that strangers don't slip in behind you when you enter or leave the building through security doors, and always making sure of the identity of visitors buzzing your call button before allowing them access.”
Residents who often travel are also advised to arrange with the security staff to remove mail piling up in their absence. "Uncollected mail is a sure advertisement that the owner of the unit is not in residence, which may well catch the attention of opportunistic burglars."
De Jager adds that secure complexes with even the most stringent security measures are never islands unto themselves. "It is thus incumbent on prospective buyers to also survey the surrounding area and assess the existing security as well as deterrents such as proper lighting and pavements that are maintained to deny cover to any lurkers.
Apartments in closed precincts such as Melrose Arch in Johannesburg and Century City in the Cape are also selling well and De Jager reports that buyers here generally cite the same reasons for their choice of property.
At the lower end of the market, flats remain popular as student accommodation in suburbs surrounding local universities, such Rondebosch in the Cape, Hatfield in Pretoria, Berea in Durban, and Braamfontein and Auckland park in Johannesburg. In addition to security reasons, parents buying flats for their children enrolled at universities view these units as good investments that will yield satisfactory returns, and thus a much better prospect than spending large sums on accommodation in university residences for the three or four years of undergraduate study.
De Jager says first-time buyers are also finding value in smaller flats and apartments because prices are still much lower than entry-level units in townhouse complexes while security measures are often on par.
He cautions prospective buyers in this market segment, however, not to take it for granted that security measures at all complexes are equal.
"If your main reason for buying is security, you would do well to compare systems at different complexes before making a choice. Consumers should also keep in mind that the degree of sophistication - for instance electronically secured entrances and remote surveillance of entrances - will probably be reflected in the purchase price."
And then even with the most sophisticated systems in place, he says, security should never be taken for granted.
"Luckily, there are many common-sense measures residents in complexes can implement to remain safe, like taking care that strangers don't slip in behind you when you enter or leave the building through security doors, and always making sure of the identity of visitors buzzing your call button before allowing them access.”
Residents who often travel are also advised to arrange with the security staff to remove mail piling up in their absence. "Uncollected mail is a sure advertisement that the owner of the unit is not in residence, which may well catch the attention of opportunistic burglars."
De Jager adds that secure complexes with even the most stringent security measures are never islands unto themselves. "It is thus incumbent on prospective buyers to also survey the surrounding area and assess the existing security as well as deterrents such as proper lighting and pavements that are maintained to deny cover to any lurkers.
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