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 FROM
BERRY EVERITT
Although real estate sales have slowed down in the past few years, the pace of change in our industry has just kept getting faster, and many agents are battling to keep up with all the new technologies, new legislation and new consumer needs. We believe, however, that the impeccable standard of professional service that our clients deserve can only be provided if each of our agents is equipped with the latest knowledge, understanding and skills, which is why we are one of the few groups that continues to invest heavily in the provision of high calibre training. Later this year, for example, we are bringing internationally renowned and much sought-after real estate trainer Ed Hatch to SA to present a new, specifically-tailored course exclusively to our agents, and to conduct workshops exclusively for our franchisees and managers. The agents' course, entitled 'The Cutting Edge of Success', will cover the latest market strategies, techniques and technologies from the US, the most sophisticated real estate market in the world, but it has also been especially designed to put Chas Everitt agents ahead of the game as our economy and property market recover. For we are certain that it will recover fully, even though the post-recession improvement is currently somewhat patchy. According to the latest Knight Frank Global House Price Index, house price growth faltered globally in the first quarter to 1,8% yoy, from 3,3% yoy in the previous quarter. The figures also show that house prices in SA, which is ranked 30th out of the 50 countries included in the index, declined by 1,3% yoy in the first quarter. This is in line with the latest statistics released by our local banks - with some showing even further price declines in April and May, and FNB now forecasting and overall decline of 1,2% this year. However, most experts are also agreed that the worst is almost over, and that house prices will begin a steady if slow overall recovery next year. In addition, our experience is that sales activity has already picked up nicely in certain parts of SA and in certain sectors of the market, reducing the average time that a property is on the market before being sold from 19 weeks to 15. And with more bonds being granted now, we are sure this will translate before long into widespread value growth |
