Chas Everitt opens in Plettenberg Bay
The Chas Everitt International property group is opening an office in the challenging Plettenberg Bay market on the Garden Route.
The franchise has been awarded to John Fuller, a recently retired banker, who brings a wealth of financial know-how to the group. He has just taken early retirement as Barclays Bank’s head of asset finance for Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean and was previously a member of Absa’s executive management team.
Fuller, who says he has “always dabbled a bit in property”, describes the local real estate market as challenging, not least because it is served by an unusually high number of agencies.
“However, it has always been an excellent investment market and still is, even though prices are currently slightly inflated. It is a wealthy area with a considerable number of absentee owners who are usually not in a desperate hurry when they decide to sell.”
And up against a slew of established agencies in the town, the new Chas Everitt International office, which opens officially only on 1 August, has already acquired sole mandates for several upmarket residential properties. Fuller says its early impact on the market is due to the brand’s established “formula for success”.
“Acquiring sole mandates is the key to success in the property market. And those are easier to obtain under the Chas Everitt International banner since it is the only group to give clients a written marketing plan and enter into a performance contract that gives a money-back guarantee.”
He predicts that independent agencies will increasingly feel the squeeze as the major brands are penetrate and dominate large areas of the market. “When I decided to enter the industry I realised it was not viable to go it alone. Major brands embarked on an energetic drive to expand their franchising areas a few years ago and independent agents will find it increasingly difficult to compete with the technological and marketing clout that the big groups can offer.
“Coming from a banking background, I was attracted to Chas Everitt International’s total commitment to ethics and integrity. The group’s training programmes, technological support and marketing network will also play a vital role in our cracking the tough Plettenberg Bay market.”
“Our Garden Route operations will be further strengthened with the opening of our new operation in Plett”, Barry Davies, CEO Chas Everitt International added. “John’s a natural fit in the group – he has very strong beliefs with regard to the importance of integrity, the quality of the offering to the client, as well as the need for the absolutely highest standards of customer service. He is someone we are extremely proud to have join our team”, he concluded.
Issued by Chas Everitt International
For further information call Brenda Smith at
Chas Everitt International Bryanston on 011 463 2033
or visit www.chaseveritt.com