South Africa is dotted with historic architecture, from elegant Cape Dutch manor houses to quaint Victorian cottages and Art Deco office blocks scraping the city skyline. For many of us, owning a property that forms part of this collective history would be a dream come true, but that dream brings with it certain rules and responsibilities. “There are a lot of benefits to owning a heritage property,” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group. “They often occupy prime locations, have … [Read more...] about Four things to know before buying a heritage home
rawson
Here’s why Sole Mandates get better prices
As a seller, you’ll need to make several smart choices to get the best price for your home. One of those will be choosing between a sole or an open mandate. The differences between the two types of mandates may seem quite obvious: a sole mandate gives a single agent the exclusive right to market and sell your home, while an open mandate allows any qualified agent to find you a willing buyer – may the best salesperson win! Under normal circumstances, you’d be forgiven for thinking that … [Read more...] about Here’s why Sole Mandates get better prices
Which type of property is right for you?
If you’ve been weighing up the pros and cons of buying off-plan (or newly built) versus finding an existing home, rest assured: you’re not alone. It’s a decision that many South African buyers face. While there’s no hard and fast answer, and your decision will depend on your own personal circumstances and tastes, there are a few important aspects to consider. Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group, shares his insights on what you should be thinking about, and how your … [Read more...] about Which type of property is right for you?
Is it better to own or rent in retirement?
For most of us, the cost of putting a roof over our heads is one of our biggest monthly expenses. This can be challenging enough when we’re young and earning a salary, but is even more important to plan for when we reach retirement. “I often get asked whether it’s better to rent or own property later in life,” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group. “In reality, there are pros and cons to both options, and no easy answer that fits all situations. My best advice to people nearing … [Read more...] about Is it better to own or rent in retirement?
How to navigate the property market in a recession
Spring hit South Africa with more than just the promise of warmer weather this year. It also heralded the start of what may be the country’s first official recession since the global financial crisis of 2008 – 2009. For those property owners who remember the effects of the previous recession on the housing market, this may trigger some understandable concern. However, Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group, says there are valuable lessons to be learnt from the 2008 – … [Read more...] about How to navigate the property market in a recession
What “Price Reduced” really means
Visit any online property portal today, and you’ll likely see a surprising number of listings displaying a rather prominent “Price Reduced” tag. This may cause some trepidation for property owners thinking about selling in the near future, while also triggering great excitement from buyers on the hunt for a good deal. According to Schalk van der Merwe, franchisee for the Rawson Properties Helderberg Group, a “Price Reduced” tag doesn’t always mean what people think, however. “There’s a lot … [Read more...] about What “Price Reduced” really means
3 Things to do BEFORE you buy your first home
So, you’ve reached that age when people around you are starting to give you speeches about settling down, putting down roots and becoming a responsible adult and homeowner. Given that you’ve probably been renting since your early twenties, the idea of not putting half your paycheck into someone else’s pocket every month might be an attractive idea, but have you really thought about what it means to be a property owner? “Owning your own home – whether it’s a bachelor flat or a mansion – is an … [Read more...] about 3 Things to do BEFORE you buy your first home
A seller’s secret weapon
Curb appeal – or the attractiveness of a property from the exterior – is one of the most overlooked opportunities for homeowners to increase their chances of a good sale. This, according to Schalk van der Merwe, franchisee for the Rawson Properties Helderberg group. “Homeowners almost always focus on interiors before a sale,” he says, “often putting a lot of money into sprucing things up and even undertaking minor renovations. That can be a good thing, but I always urge sellers not to get … [Read more...] about A seller’s secret weapon
Time to disrupt the real estate status quo
For too long, South African real estate agents have been stuck in the past, delivering the same kind of service the same kind of way that they have for the last fifty years. According to Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group, the time to disrupt this status quo is now. “Our industry – a multi-billion-rand industry – is failing to communicate our value by sticking to old, traditional, and expensive ways of doing business,” says Clarke. “We can’t be surprised if newcomers … [Read more...] about Time to disrupt the real estate status quo
Creating a more productive office space
What does your office space say about your business? Is it ultra-trendy or unexciting? Does it inspire confidence in your workforce, clients and visitors? Studies show that contented employees are productive employees, who are happy to spend a third of their working week in the office. Our environment exerts a great influence on us, so an unpleasant working environment will result in reduced productivity, ill health and discontent. “Studies have shown that at least 50% of employers regard … [Read more...] about Creating a more productive office space
Is it better to restore or repair a heritage home?
It’s no secret that old homes have a very special kind of character that is difficult to replicate in modern spaces. From Cape Dutch to mid-century modern or even 70s-kitsch, a well-preserved period property has the potential to achieve record-breaking sales figures in the right market. To fulfil this potential, many owners of heritage or period properties opt for careful restoration to return things to as-built condition. According to David Jacobs, Gauteng Regional Manager for the Rawson … [Read more...] about Is it better to restore or repair a heritage home?
How to stage a good winter show house
Winter may not be the most intuitive time to sell a home, but there are some surprising benefits to staging a winter show house. Aside from the fact that you’ll likely have less competition (many homeowners wait for warmer months to put their homes on the market) a winter show house offers some great opportunities to show off the cosier, more intimate side of your home. David Jacobs, Regional Manager for the Rawson Property Group, shares his top tips on embracing the winter season to create … [Read more...] about How to stage a good winter show house
It’s not all doom and gloom for SA’s property market
As South Africans reel from the news of a 2.2% GDP decline in the first quarter of 2018, property experts remain optimistic about forecasts for the remainder of the year. The property market, which has been experiencing some lethargy since early 2017, is not predicted to see any dramatic repercussions as a result of the recent economic bombshell. Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group, explains. “Property market demand isn’t driven purely by investors – it’s driven by people needing … [Read more...] about It’s not all doom and gloom for SA’s property market
When is the right time to relocate your business?
The monthly rental a business pays to operate from its premises should positively add to the business’s productivity and bottom-line profits. “In the life of every business there comes a time when the option to relocate arises. A move can be a logistical challenge, yet it can also be the best thing that could happen to your business if done with careful thought,” says Leon Breytenbach, National Manager of the Rawson Property Group’s commercial division. There are many motivations for relocation, … [Read more...] about When is the right time to relocate your business?
How to find a home in a new city
Moving to a new city can be an incredibly exciting prospect, but it also comes with its challenges – like finding a place to live. Finding a great property to rent or buy in a place you know well is tricky enough… where do you even start when you’re moving to a city you barely know? “A lot of South Africans are facing exactly this challenge at the moment, with semigration at an all-time high,” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group. “It’s certainly stressful packing up your life … [Read more...] about How to find a home in a new city
