Chas Everitt puts SA on show
The Earl’s Court homes show in London, opening this weekend, marks the start of the autumn “expo season” for property investors in the UK and Europe - and for SA property group Chas Everitt International.
The company also exhibits every year at several other European property shows, notes Chas Everitt Franchising CEO Barry Davies, “as a natural part of a wider marketing strategy designed to provide each of our clients with as big an audience of potential buyers as possible.
“By exhibiting at events like the Earl’s Court show – which attracts more than 30 000 visitors - we are helping local sellers to tap into the steadily increasing foreign interest in South Africa as a place to live and invest rather than just as a possible holiday destination, and of course into the rising demand from SA expats.”
However, he says, a strong SA presence at UK and European property expos also serves another function, which is to help the country as a whole compete against some of the new entrants to the European Union, such as Bulgaria and Croatia, which are now eagerly pitching for investment of all types as well as “tourist dollars”.
“Emerging markets in various European destinations are definitely becoming more attractive to property buyers in the UK, Holland and Germany, and the current relative strength of the rand is also a consideration, because it means that SA is no longer a ‘cheap’ destination.
“At the same time, for UK buyers especially, the lack of language barrier, the climate, the scenery and SA’s growing reputation as a safe haven are strong attractions – and homes exhibitions are the perfect way to capitalize on them by showing off the best that SA has to offer.”
Chas Everitt International, he notes, also has permanent representatives in London and other European capitals who diligently follow up on every lead generated at the exhibitions.
“From past experience, we know this is necessary as many people who come to the shows are not ready to invest immediately but are checking out and comparing what sort of property is available in several markets. They need to be contacted regularly to keep their interest in SA fresh.
“On the other hand, a rising percentage of visitors to our stands over the past two tours have been expats quite ready to invest right away, and they like having someone local they can deal with as regards finance and paperwork.”
This year, he says, the company is expecting a lesser degree of interest in buy-to-let developments than in the past two years, and a higher level of demand for permanent homes in secure estates. The Garden Route is expected to feature prominently and there is likely to be more interest than before in Gauteng.
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