Property News

Global is local with property

Property 24.com
Article Date: 02 September 2010

The 2010 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report shows just how globalised the modern property market has become.  In the past, local trends and influences were ...

Listed property: What you should know

Property 24.com
Article Date: 01 September 2010

Listed property has always been an excellent investment.  But the prospects for the nearly 20 listed property funds are currently less than positive.  Investors ...

R11 million pedestrian bridge for Century City

SA Property News
Article Date: 31 August 2010

A new state-of-the-art pedestrian bridge linking the Crystal Towers development to Canal Walk shopping centre is nearing completion at Century City. Being ...

Century City Residential Sales Up 150%

Cape Business News
Article Date: 10 August 2010

It’s official, the residential property has finally turned with sales at Century City up 150% for the year to end June. Allen Usher, managing director of Property ...

The challenges of sectional title in the low-cost sector

Paddocks
Article Date: 30 July 2010

There are certain challenges common to all sectional title owners, irrespective of their social or financial status. Management, maintenance, co-operative environment, ...

Tips for Operating a Sustainable Building

Cape Business News
Article Date: 30 July 2010

Design and construction usually spring to mind when the built environment talks about green initiatives. But architects and builders are just the first in a long ...

Tenants’ rising costs ‘a problem for rental market’

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 29 July 2010

Vukile Property Fund has warned that increases in electricity prices and higher municipal rates would push tenants’ costs higher, which is likely to have a negative ...

Tenants Negotiating Better Deals

Cape Business News
Article Date: 27 July 2010

Despite a tough year, challenged by a depressed property market, one of Broll Property Group’s top achievers – Sia Thomatos, recipient of the Broll Cape Broker ...

Industrial vacancies still on a par with long-term averages

Rode
Article Date: 27 July 2010

A look at industrial vacancy trends shows that there is, as yet, no need for industrial property investors to panic and make friends with their bankers. Vacancies ...

Property Markets Still Hibernating

Cape Business News
Article Date: 23 July 2010

The property markets across the board are still in hibernation mode, according to the latest Rode’s Report on the State of the Property Market. The lagged ...

Pressure on Commercial Property

Cape Business News
Article Date: 15 July 2010

The current economic situation, although improving somewhat on last year, is still putting great pressure on commercial and retail property owners who are seeing ...

Green Council Gets Industry Support

Cape Business News
Article Date: 13 July 2010

With seven large-scale office developments pursuing formal Green Star SA certification, and the second Green Star SA tool (for Retail buildings) having been launched ...

National retailers expand in Cape Town CBD

SA Property News
Article Date: 12 July 2010

Picbel Parkade in Strand Street, where Pick ‘n Pay has expanded its store to over 1 500 m2. Big business is expanding its presence in Cape Town’s central business ...

Unscrupulous letting agents to be dealt with

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 08 July 2010

Letting deposit misappropriation has led to regulating the industry.  The letting industry in South Africa has traditionally been somewhat of a stepchild within ...

Analysing Usage, Cost Holds The Key

Cape Business News
Article Date: 07 July 2010

Analysing energy consumption and cost allocation is the first key step to optimising energy spending. So says Schneider Electric South Africa’s country president, ...

Super-Regional Malls Corner the Market

Cape Business News
Article Date: 01 July 2010

Research tracking key performance indicators at SA shopping centres shows that while small local centres enjoy the highest frequency of visits by far, it's regional ...

Positive Property Sentiment Rejected

Cape Business News
Article Date: 01 July 2010

While industry analysts are commenting on an upswing in the local property market, Property24.com has warned against too positive an outlook, noting that  ...

More property shocks

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 28 June 2010

After Eskom takes its whack of the next electricity tariff hike, municipalities take yet another bite.  One of the more worrying aspects about our stratospheric ...

Tale of Two Cape Builders

Cape Business News
Article Date: 28 June 2010

Just how tough (and tricky) the building supplies market is at the moment was probably perfectly illustrated in the contrasting performances by two highly rated ...

Fewer offices standing empty

Fin24.com
Article Date: 24 June 2010

Throughout the country fewer offices stood empty in the second quarter of this year, largely as a result of a strong take-up in the metropolitan areas outside Johannesburg. Over ...

Reserve Bank shakeup in property syndications

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 22 June 2010

Sharemax has become the first company to fall foul of a Reserve Bank investigation into property syndication companies. The Reserve Bank tasked its inspectors ...

Non-residential building spurt ends

SA Property News
Article Date: 21 June 2010

The FNB Building Confidence Index (FNB BCI) dropped from a value of 30 in the first quarter of 2010 to 24 in the second quarter. The index measures the business ...

Breathtaking Parking Costs

Cape Business News
Article Date: 21 June 2010

Breathtaking is the word, much over-worked, that promotion agents use to describe their clients’ Western Cape property developments, be they residential or commercial. One ...

Another Office Block for Central Park

Cape Business News
Article Date: 12 May 2010

A new 1400 square metre office block is being built at Central Park in Century City at a cost of around R25m. The two storey building is the seventh to be ...

FedGroup takes on the big-four banks

Moneyweb
Article Date: 25 January 2010

This secured and regulated investment pays higher interest than the banks. FedGroup is in a bid to open up a new investment class to insurers, a new stream ...

PIC property boss sizes up V&A Waterfront

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 03 December 2009

Could SA's most prized real estate be snapped up by government pension fund? V&A Waterfront: What it's worth, whether it is really for sale, who would ...

2010 property predictions: Don't expect double-digit returns

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 03 December 2009

Senior figure in real estate sector says residential will turn first.  Those South African property watchers who are predicting significantly improved conditions ...

Property investing: When it's the right thing to do

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 02 December 2009

Growthpoint makes it to the list of "socially responsible" investors.  Growthpoint Properties (JSE:GRT) Limited debuted on the JSE's Socially Responsible Investment ...

Property bargain-hunters salivate over V&A Waterfront

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 30 November 2009

Could Cape Town's most prized real estate be dumped by its Dubai owners for a song?  As Dubai's property woes deepen, speculation is growing in South African ...

Office landlords must give more to tenants: 2010

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 23 November 2009

South Africa's office landlords - and particularly owners of lower grades of space - are set to take more strain for at least the next year, thanks largely to tough ...

Big demand for Growthpoint

Fin24.com
Article Date: 18 November 2009

Listed property giant Growthpoint's recent entry into the money market was exceptionally well received by the market.  The company's programme to issue R500m ...

Thousand Workers At Crystal Towers

Cape Business News
Article Date: 09 November 2009

A work force of close to a thousand people is working around the clock to complete the mega R750 million Crystal Towers development at Century City on time. The ...

Finally: A fresh property company for investors

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 14 October 2009

Fortress Income Fund Limited, a new property fund and little sister to Resilient Income fund, is scheduled to list on the JSE on the 21 October 2009. This date ...

Auction antics: Fooling bidders, outwitting sellers

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 13 October 2009

How to score in a property bidding war & more.  This week in Tabloid Tuesday: Tips to make a property deal go your way - unless you're loaded like Madonna. Aussie ...

Commercial real estate prices tumble

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 01 October 2009

South African direct non-residential property prices "finally succumb" to negative capital growth. South African property returns slow further; capital growth ...

Office returns take a smack

Fin24.com
Article Date: 01 October 2009

Johannesburg - Offices are the worst-performing sector of the commercial property market for first half 2009 with total returns slipping to 1.6%, down from 8.1% ...

Climbing the industrial Property Ladder in SA

Property Times
Article Date: 30 September 2009

For about R700 000 you can buy a stake in prime industrial real estate. Industrial real estate prices have been falling and demand from tenants is expected ...

Rigging property valuations

Moneyweb
Article Date: 18 August 2009

A shopping centre up the road has lost a couple of its tenants. I thought they were victims of the recession until I saw they had opened up shop in a different ...

GOD TV moves to Century City

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 04 August 2009

The international Christian Television Network, GOD TV, which broadcasts on the PAS7 Satellite Vivid platform (Free to Air), has relocated its head quarters for ...

Investors Snap Up Sectional Title Office Block

Cape Business News
Article Date: 03 August 2009

Investors have snapped up more than half of the 23 sectional title office suites in The Gatehouse, a new 3000 square metre office block at Century City, since its ...

Property vs bonds, equities

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 31 July 2009

How property has fared, where it's heading. Want returns of 14%? And a smooth investment ride? Property will provide returns of this order, was the message ...

Invalid sale agreement no obstacle to transfer

Business Day
Article Date: 30 July 2009

SA's courts have found that the transfer of immovable property may be valid despite an invalid sale agreement, according to Andrea Godfrey of Shepstone & Wylie ...

Exploit Properties Better

Cape Business News
Article Date: 30 July 2009

The Cape Chamber of Commerce has called on the City Council to outline its plans for the development of key areas of the City such as Culembourg, District Six and ...

Be Skeptical About The House Market

Cape Business News
Article Date: 23 July 2009

There are many optimists who predict that house prices will start to recover by the end of 2009. Let’s think this one through, says Bellville-based property economist ...

Guide To Future Urban Planning

Cape Business News
Article Date: 14 July 2009

The City of Cape Town has endorsed a draft policy that will guide the way in which the space available for urban growth is used in future. This draft policy will ...

R30m property shocker - Old Mutual unrepentant

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 14 July 2009

Our "prerogative" not to sell for best offer; policyholders' big losers.  Old Mutual's property group decision-makers are standing by a decision that cost ...

SA's biggest property investor

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 13 July 2009

As global real estate company values tick up, local investors scour for lucrative property opportunities elsewhere.  Global real estate markets appear attractively ...

Flax Folds Phoenix Plan

Cape Business News
Article Date: 30 June 2009

Mike Flax, Executive Director of Madison Property Fund Managers announced this week that Madison will not be going ahead with the listing on the Bermuda Stock Exchange ...

Blue Chip Moves into Century City

Cape Business News
Article Date: 26 June 2009

Another blue chip international professional services firm is relocating to Century City and has signed for an entire 6,200 square metre office block which forms ...

New Sectional Title Office Project

Cape Business News
Article Date: 25 June 2009

A new 3000 sq/m sectional title office block, The Gatehouse, is to be built on a prime site at the Ratanga Road entrance to Century City, Cape Town’s fast growing ...

Rich investors vote for real estate

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 22 June 2009

Next we'll invest in prime property, say world's wealthiest in survey of high net worth individuals.  Demand is set to rise for prime real estate, as the world's ...

Double (Rates) Jeopardy

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 18 June 2009

Check you aren't being charged twice for rates, says property lawyer - as he steps into the property valuations mess-up.  Many of the recent rates valuations ...

Guide to Future Urban Planning

Cape Business News
Article Date: 10 June 2009

The City of Cape Town has endorsed a draft policy that will guide the way in which the space available for urban growth is used in future. This draft policy will ...

Prepare for next General Valuation

Article Date: 26 May 2009

The City of Cape Town says it is preparing for the next general valuation of all properties in the metropolitan area. The proposed date of the new valuation is ...

The Law of Relativity

Cape Business News
Article Date: 21 May 2009

The first law of investment is that returns are relative. Over the past year or so, equity values worldwide have more or less halved, yet the latest available ...

Invalid sale agreement no obstacle to transfer

Business Day
Article Date: 20 May 2009

SA's courts have found that the transfer of immovable property may be valid despite an invalid sale agreement, according to Andrea Godfrey of Shepstone & Wylie ...

SA's new estate agents

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 20 May 2009

Real estate has often been associated with more mature people who have been in the industry for years but this is changing. Young people are becoming more ...

Tax tips for rental pools

Moneyweb
Article Date: 20 May 2009

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) issued an updated VAT 409 guide on fixed property and construction transactions during December 2008 in which it clarifies, ...

Home loans depend on prices

Fin24.com
Article Date: 20 May 2009

Johannesburg - Capital for banks has become a scarce resource.  It has become increasingly expensive for banks to get capital to fund their asset books, especially ...

Business Rejects Rates Increase

Cape Business News
Article Date: 13 May 2009

The Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written to the City Council to protest strongly at plans in the Draft Budget to increase rates on commercial ...

Redefine's bull run 'may end'

Fin24.com
Article Date: 13 May 2009

Market expectations have resulted in the underlying company forming part of the new Redefine stable delivering the best total return in the listed property sector ...

Investment Trends

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 01 May 2009

Rentals expected to decline in 2009 - national rental stats, global picture.  The South African industrial property market faces an economic threat which could ...

Growthpoint Boosts Cape Presence

Cape Business News
Article Date: 28 April 2009

Growthpoint Properties, has boosted its presence in the Western Cape industrial market through a R94 million investment in The Grove Business Estate at Somerset ...

Market likes property, but be warned!

Business Day
Article Date: 16 April 2009

This is an interesting long-term investment fundamental and the kind of project you would expect from Sasol, even though, in the short term, the company’s capital ...

Shock as Seardel decides to close down Frame Textiles

Business Day
Article Date: 14 April 2009

In what is seen as a watershed for the textiles industry, SA’s largest clothing and textile manu-facturer, Seardel, has announced the closure of Frame Textiles. ...

DA blows whistle on leases

Fin24.com
Article Date: 30 March 2009

Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape says it has uncovered evidence of commercial properties being leased by the province for amounts far in ...

Developers under squeeze

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 30 March 2009

Banks re-assesses loans granted for property developments.    Realestateweb has been contacted by property developers who have been affected by a ...

Four SA property companies join global stock market index

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 25 March 2009

That brings to seven the number of South African listed real estate counters. Four South African listed property companies have been added to the Global Property ...

Interest rate cut may slow company failures

Business Day
Article Date: 24 March 2009

Company failures soared 70% last month compared to the same month last year, official data showed yesterday, backing the case for aggressive cuts in interest rates ...

Vacancies Down At Century City

Cape Business News
Article Date: 24 March 2009

Continued strong demand for offices at Century City have seen vacancies drop 2.7% so far this year with further strong take-up expected over the next two years, ...

Stingy Banks

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 23 March 2009

It's not just banks' strict lending criteria putting brakes on property market; sellers' unrealistic asking prices are adding to estate agency woes.  The local ...

Malls heading same direction as residential - down

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 20 March 2009

My father, a seasoned retailer, once remarked in amazement at the proliferation of shopping centres on a visit to Cape Town. "How many shops do South Africans ...

Building confidence drops further

Mail & Guardian
Article Date: 20 March 2009

Confidence in the building industry dropped further in the first quarter of this year, FNB said on Thursday as it published its Building Confidence Index.    The ...

Retail struggle ‘will raise vacancies’

Business Day
Article Date: 19 March 2009

Subdued consumer spending is taking its toll on small independent retailers, with vacancy rates expected to increase and rental income slowing this year.    Retail ...

Building Cost Inflation Declines

Cape Business News
Article Date: 17 March 2009

THE deceleration in building-cost inflation has made for interesting reading regarding the overall health of the building industry.   In the fourth ...

New market spawns new buyer type

Fin24.com
Article Date: 13 March 2009

The promulgation of the National Credit Act (NCA), the global economic downturn and its impact on South Africa and the demise of the 100 percent-plus home loan ...

What the shrinking economy means to non-residential property

Rode
Article Date: 13 March 2009

During the fourth quarter of 2008, real GDP contracted by nearly 2% (annualized quarter-on-quarter), and the outlook for 2009 continues to look bleak. And you had ...

Property fundi warns buyers to watch out for faults in trendy CBD conversions

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 12 March 2009

Buying flats in newly-renovated or converted buildings has as many potential pitfalls as upsides.   Buy-to-let investors, in particular, should approach ...

SA loses 55 000 estate agents

Fin24.com
Article Date: 11 March 2009

South Africa's multibillion rand property industry has already lost 55 000 registered estate agents as a result of weaker housing market conditions. It seems that ...

No to 61% of bond applications

Fin24.com
Article Date: 10 March 2009

Johannesburg - Almost two-thirds of all home loan applications are currently being rejected by banks, a trend that could further strangle the housing market.    Market ...

South Africa looks better than many others, but be warned!

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 06 March 2009

As South Africa heads into darker economic times, property sellers and industry players have good reason to be fearful of what the rest of this year - and the next ...

Station designs complete for new CT public transport system

City of Cape Town
Article Date: 26 February 2009

With the first phase of the City’s Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) system set to get underway in March 2010, the project is now rapidly gaining pace. The ...

SA Corporate says tenant failure is a significant risk this year

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 24 February 2009

SA Corporate Real Estate Fund released its 2008 financial results today and declared a final distribution of 15,25 cent per unit.  Craig Ewin, SA Corporate's ...

Property issue a big hit

Business Day
Article Date: 03 February 2009

Growthpoint Properties, SA’s largest property company with a market capitalisation of R20bn, said yesterday its rights issue was oversubscribed by nearly R85m. ...

Mergers create larger, liquid property funds

Business Day
Article Date: 23 January 2009

The number of South African listed property counters has dwindled from more than 30 to about 20 over the past four years due to mergers and delistings.  This ...

Onerous new terms by banks means fewer developments

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 16 January 2009

It's not just home-buyers who are struggling to obtain finance for properties: big investors say onerous terms by banks mean new developments will not go ahead. ...

Eskom halts supply to big developments

Business Day
Article Date: 13 January 2009

Property developers said last week they were losing income due to reduced project sizes and incurring extra costs since Eskom decided to review the issuing of new ...

Cement prices set to soar

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 05 December 2008

Cement price increases are on the cards for 2009 despite that inflation appears to be declining from its peak heights of 2008, said South African Property Owners ...

Growthpoint geared for gain

Business Day
Article Date: 05 December 2008

Growthpoint Properties said yesterday it would be using its R2bn rights issue to position itself to take advantage of opportunities, both locally and internationally, ...

Property Management - the Skies the Limit

Cape Business News
Article Date: 07 November 2008

Spire Property Management has secured the management contract for the soon to be developed Execujet Business Centre at the Cape Town International Airport.   “Spire ...

The major reason for tightening the lending screws

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 06 November 2008

Falling property prices, not other banking woes, were the major reason for big four bank Nedbank (JSE: NED) tightening the lending screws, the bank's acting home ...

New R156m East City Hotel

Cape Business News
Article Date: 05 November 2008

Stag Properties is set to launch a R156 million two phase development in Cape Town’s East City precinct, which, says Stag’s CEO, John Schooling, will be one of ...

Want to command top returns?

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 04 November 2008

Want to command top returns from your office property investments? Make sure your building, at design level and completion, meets up to new office ratings' guidelines ...

More grim figures

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 04 November 2008

As big four bank FNB released more dismal residential property price figures this week, it said that economic growth prospects are likely to make local lending ...

City Launches Green Guidelines

Cape Business News
Article Date: 31 October 2008

The City of Cape Town will launch its Draft Green Building Guidelines at the Green Building Conference which is taking place at the Cape Town International Convention ...

What the 2008 Revenue Laws Amendment Bill tabled last week is proposing

Moneyweb
Article Date: 28 October 2008

The ambit of the Stamp Duties Act which was introduced in 1968, has been steadily reduced over the last few years. Stamp duty only remains payable on leases of ...

Century City Office Take-Up Tops 65 800 m² in 14 Months

Cape Business News
Article Date: 20 October 2008

The Century City office market, which has almost tripled in size to more than 200 000 square metres in the past four years, is now the fourth largest office node ...

SA property vultures get set to land

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 09 October 2008

Real estate asset manager poised to take advantage of stock markets' bloodbath elsewhere, warns one-third of property jobs could be lost in SA.  Local real ...

SA property dominates emerging markets index

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 09 October 2008

Growthpoint is the third-biggest stock in a newly-created index focused on over 120 countries.    The South African listed property market is extremely ...

Cape property down 20% off 2007 peak - real estate veteran

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 09 October 2008

Bill Rawson says prices down, sales nationally dramatically up, suggests we've reached bottom of cycle.    Bill Rawson, chairman of Rawson Properties, ...

Pay attention to quality, says Nedbank

Business Day
Article Date: 09 October 2008

Investors and analysts tend to focus on distribution growth but do not necessarily pay enough attention to the actual quality of the underlying property portfolios ...

Fund redefines Paarl’s economy

Business Day
Article Date: 09 October 2008

Redefine Income Fund is helping to rejuvenate Paarl’s economy through its development of Berg River Park — the town’s first fully secure industrial park.    Redefine ...

Financial advice fundi Magnus Heystek hasn't liked property syndications

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 22 September 2008

A leading figure in the world of financial advice, Magnus Heystek, told Moneyweb Radio's listeners that he has not liked property syndications for a long time - ...

US bank at centre of global stock market woes

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 17 September 2008

Lehman Brothers, the troubled US bank that sparked global market woes this week, has ties to a massive mixed-use Cape development.  It is, through a private ...

MSP Group launches Helderberg Business Park

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 15 September 2008

The MSP Group recently announced the launch of its new commercial and industrial development project, the aptly named: “I on T2 Business Park”. The massive Business ...

Growthpoint strategy boosts income and distributions

Business Day
Article Date: 28 August 2008

Growthpoint Properties said yesterday a solid performance from its portfolio, a successful capital raising exercise and its adoption of an in-house management policy ...

Office property - party-time for owners

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 27 August 2008

Office rentals are hitting the roof - and building costs are pushing up replacement affordability.    Soaring building replacement costs are pushing ...

Commercial and Industrial Markets are Still Strong

Cape Business News
Article Date: 26 August 2008

In the midst of all the doom and gloom in the South African residential property market, commercial and industrial markets are still booming, according to the latest ...

Interest rates remain on hold, but property market has 'yet to bottom', warns bank

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 14 August 2008

SA Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni's announcement on Thursday that the key monetary policy interest rate will be left where it is for now, at 12%, is good news ...

Significant rise for listed property

Business Day
Article Date: 13 August 2008

With the outlook on inflation and interest rates improving, the South African listed property sector made a strong recovery last month, recording a total return ...

The hardest hit by South Africa's property

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 07 August 2008

As the Ombudsman for Banking Services fires a warning shot at FNB - withdrawing home loan approvals "on a large scale" - Absa has revealed that self-employed professionals ...

New commercial projects face chop en masse

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 01 August 2008

If you own undeveloped land and are awaiting rezoning and other approvals including electricity supply, with interest rates heading north, you should be worried. ...

Rental and property management fees will be frozen amid a company

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 23 July 2008

SAPOA has raised the alarm on significant risks for the commercial and industrial property industry contained in the draft Companies Bill 2007, particularly with ...

Investment insights

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 23 July 2008

Office property investments are at the beginning of a magnificent run, but sell and rent for 10 years if residential real estate is your chosen asset.   That ...

Markets see end to rate hikes

Business Day
Article Date: 21 July 2008

In the absence of any crucial domestic data this week, local markets are likely to carry on mulling the welcome prospect of lower inflation and interest rates from ...

Listed property sector on the comeback trail

Business Day
Article Date: 15 July 2008

The South African listed property sector has recovered about 6,4% of its value on the back of a strengthening bond market since it bottomed out on July 3.    After ...

Latest Rode’s Report shows commercial and industrial markets still strong

Rode
Article Date: 14 July 2008

In the midst of all the doom and gloom in the South African residential property market, commercial and industrial markets are still booming according to the latest ...

FNB building confidence index plunges 2Q2008

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 08 July 2008

The FNB Building Confidence Index measures the business confidence of all the major role players and suppliers involved in the building industry such as architects, ...

Boutique Hotel Opens to Investors

Cape Business News
Article Date: 03 July 2008

The high demand for hotel accommodation at Century City has prompted the launch of Manhattan Suites, a professionally operated rental pool of self-catering apartments ...

RMB Properties in BEE deal

Business Day
Article Date: 01 July 2008

Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has concluded a transaction to introduce a consortium of RMB Properties management, Tiso Group and Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH) to a 60% ...

SAPOA joins critics of expropriation bill

Business Day
Article Date: 24 June 2008

An umbrella body representing more than 900 large commercial and industrial property owners added its voice yesterday to criticism of the government’s draft expropriation ...

Fixed investment does the splits

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 19 June 2008

FNB 2010 Fixed Investment Round Table attended by: Cees Bruggemans, Chief Economist FNB Charles Martin, Senior Economist BER Marie Kirsten, Economist SA Development ...

Income Streams again Important

Cape Business News
Article Date: 18 June 2008

Traditionally, commercial property investors used to use net income as the major determinant of a property’s value.    According to Tony Bales of ...

Innovative R250m Extension for Canal Walk

Cape Business News
Article Date: 12 June 2008

Six stand-alone retail ‘pods’, totalling 16,000m2 of additional retail offering are being developed at Canal Walk Shopping Centre for an investment of R250 million. ...

Four Century City Developments Short-Listed for Top Awards

Cape Business News
Article Date: 10 June 2008

No less than four recent developments at Century City were selected as finalists in the 2008 Sapoa Awards for Innovative Excellence in Property Development continuing ...

Why I'm buying more shares: Growthpoint CEO

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 01 June 2008

Biggest JSE property company boss talks about juicy new staff share scheme, life after Investec "divorce" and property market.    Many investors ...

Wider, Longer Factories Questioned

Cape Business News
Article Date: 27 May 2008

The tendency to manage a need for additional factory space by extending the existing structure is being paralleled by a trend towards the construction of ever-wider ...

Electricity Crisis Affects Values

Cape Business News
Article Date: 26 May 2008

Capitalization rates — the property equivalent of the forward earnings yield of shares — have remained put despite a deteriorating inflation and interest rate outlook. ...

City to streamline land use applications and building plan approvals

City of Cape Town
Article Date: 05 May 2008

The City of Cape Town’s Executive Management Team has approved the proposed restructuring of the Cape Town’s planning district model, which will streamline land-use ...

New tax allowance for commercial buildings

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 30 April 2008

Prior to 1 April 2007, there were no income tax allowances on commercial, as opposed to industrial, buildings.    Industrial buildings have always ...

Be Shrewd About Fundamentals

Cape Business News
Article Date: 30 April 2008

The role of commercial and industrial property as a driver of economic growth will be firmly in the spotlight at the 40th Annual SAPOA Convention, sponsored by ...

Another listed property deal called off

Business Day
Article Date: 30 April 2008

Another big property deal has fallen through because of listed property price volatility and the caution of the banking industry, which is tightening funding requirements ...

Prices start to slip as property boom ends

Reuters
Article Date: 29 April 2008

After years of an unprecedented boom, SA’s property market has begun to decline as consumers fall victim to high interest rates and soaring inflation.  Standard ...

Spurt of failed deals hit the markets

Moneyweb
Article Date: 29 April 2008

Just how hard it is to consummate corporate transactions came to the fore last week with a string of deal failures that advisors say is the result of tighter credit ...

Estate agents: Time to swap to commercial property?

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 25 April 2008

What to consider before making the move from residential to commercial or investment property sales.    Question: So far in my real estate career ...

City Releases Industrial Land in Atlantis,Cape Town,South Africa

Cape Business News
Article Date: 24 April 2008

The City of Cape Town has released 22 serviced industrial properties in Atlantis for sale by public tender.   This latest land release follows last ...

Start on R690m Koeberg Project

Cape Business News
Article Date: 24 April 2008

The date for the long anticipated makeover of the Koeberg Interchange has been set. “It’s May 8,” Transport and Public Works MEC Marius Fransman announced. And ...

Strategy for Cape Town

Cape Business News
Article Date: 17 April 2008

The City of Cape Town has published a five-year plan to stimulate economic growth and development for the Cape metropole and its 3,3 million residents.   The ...

Five year economic strategy for Cape Town

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 17 April 2008

In an effort to stimulate economic growth and development for its 3.3 million residents, the City of Cape Town has published a five-year plan.    The ...

Electricity crisis could affect property values

Rode
Article Date: 16 April 2008

Capitalization rates — the property equivalent of the forward earnings yield of shares — have remained put despite a deteriorating inflation and interest rate outlook. ...

Property deals: Avoiding VAT pitfalls

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 15 April 2008

When it comes to selling VATable property it is imperative you understand just what's involved. Although pretty straight forward, the basics are sometimes overlooked ...

Property taxes you should not be deducting

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 15 April 2008

In a nutshell I bought investment property and funded it via a bank bond. I duly set off interest against rental income until I got money from the sale of our primary ...

Commercial property beats equities, bonds

Moneyweb
Article Date: 02 April 2008

Investors in SA commercial real estate enjoyed fantastic returns of 28% in 2007 - new property index figures.    Investors in South African commercial ...

Outages may boost green building

Cape Business News
Article Date: 02 April 2008

Sweeping power outages across major cities have affected the commercial and industrial property development sector negatively, with many pointing to infrastructure ...

Muscling in on real estate sector

Cape Business News
Article Date: 28 March 2008

Realising that there is now a very real need for training in the estate agency sector and that Services SETA is offering large sums of money in valuable bursaries ...

Have your say: City to finalise unified zoning scheme

City of Cape Town
Article Date: 25 March 2008

The City of Cape Town has released the fourth draft of its Integrated Zoning Scheme (IZS) and new zoning maps for public comment.   This will be ...

Shut down Estate Agency Affairs Board

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 19 March 2008

Angry estate agents slam regulator, troops rallied as fidelity fund/commissions fiasco gathers steam – latest news.    Angry estate agents are calling ...

Business unusual: The criminalisation of the state

SA Today (Helen Zille)
Article Date: 14 March 2008

There is a thesis that African states fail because corruption ceases to become an aberration that needs to be rooted out. It becomes institutionalised in the system ...

Office developers’ uncomfortable risk exposure

Rode & Associates
Article Date: 14 March 2008

Just as prime office rentals currently lead the pack in decentralized Johannesburg with 23% growth on the previous year, so too is this area leading the pack in ...

SA property returns vs the world

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 12 March 2008

If you invested in South African listed property stocks at the beginning of the year, your portfolio would have lost not far off 20% of its value in only two months ...

Commercial property returns: who’s making money

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 10 March 2008

New index aims to show you what’s best – retail, office, industrial – and how SA compares to the rest of the world.    Rollicking total returns posted ...

Warehouse trends in Cape Town

Growthpoint Properties Limited
Article Date: 10 March 2008

Expanding on its already fully-let property in Parow, which is currently occupied by Goodwood Engineering, South Africa largest listed property fund, Growthpoint ...

Cap rates under pressure

Rode & Associates
Article Date: 10 March 2008

Although survey results from the last quarter of 2007 do not yet show it, capitalization rates for non-residential properties are more than likely under pressure ...

Office developers’ uncomfortable risk exposure

South African Property News
Article Date: 10 March 2008

Just as prime office rentals currently lead the pack in decentralized Johannesburg with 23% growth on the previous year, so too is this area leading the pack in ...

In search of soft underbellies

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 06 March 2008

Government and Eskom appear to be enlisting more and more economic sectors in its demolition derbies.    The main idea these past six weeks is to ...

Killarney in for clean-up

TygerBurger
Article Date: 05 March 2008

They have a vision for Killarney Gardens that includes gardens and excludes criminals. They have raised levies and lowered crime. They hope to make a significant ...

Seven Surprises

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 21 February 2008

Budget day 2008 offered me its share of surprises.   Firstly, there was the near uniform negativity of the media. The economy was going from bad ...

The 2008 Budget and Property

YDL Community
Article Date: 20 February 2008

Trevor Manuel today presented a balanced, "confidence" budget, deftly navigating turmoil in global markets and local growth and social expenditure expectations. ...

Staying connected when the power goes out

Real Estate Web
Article Date: 12 February 2008

Should landlords, body corporates pay for generators? Property experts give pointers.    South Africans have woken to the realisation that power ...

Listed Property: Slow reactor or special case?

Financial Mail
Article Date: 17 January 2008

Most analysts say SA funds will stay firm in 2008, but some aren't so sure.   The decade-long world property boom has ended abruptly, with listed ...

Long legs and lags in the building industry

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 15 January 2008

The surprise of 2006 and 2007 was the ongoing vigorous growth in the residential building industry. Though interest rates were increased eight times by a cumulative ...

Tapping blood from stone

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 10 December 2007

You cannot tap blood from stone. But you can crush stone.   Similarly with economies. You can't grow output faster than what is physically possible ...

Atlantis is poised for economic boom

Cape Business News
Article Date: 03 December 2007

Plans by Eskom to expand a multi-million rand gas turbine plant in Atlantis, is expected to jump start an economic boom in the area.   “Strategically ...

Industrial land soars in Cape

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 25 October 2007

A surging industrial property market in Cape Town has prompted Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments to launch the R123m Racecourse Gardens industrial ...

New R150m BMW motor showroom and office development for Century City

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 29 August 2007

The new BMW premises will form part of a prime R150m office and motor showroom development on a gateway site at the Ratanga Road entrance to Century City. The ...

Building confidence rises marginally during 2nd Quarter - 2007

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 17 July 2007

The FNB building confidence index measures the business confidence of all the major role players and suppliers involved in the building industry such as architects, ...

Commercial Rental Growth is Accelerating

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 05 July 2007

The eProp Rental Barometer is showing annual growth of 18% across all commercial property (offices, retail and industrial combined) nationally. The big story comes ...

Global heroes on a mission

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 12 June 2007

Who genuinely matter in today's world, and what are their passions? Can they be deflected from their long-term missions or will they prevail, and for how long? And ...

Bonds vs listed property

Moneyweb
Article Date: 11 June 2007

At university we were taught that property is an income-generating asset that usually has less volatility than the equity market and will produce bond-like returns ...

Industrial market still looks promising

Rode
Article Date: 10 May 2007

After being in hibernation for over two decades, the industrial property market is back with a bang. While nominal industrial stand values and rentals have failed ...

The dark side of declining interest rates

Moneyweb
Article Date: 07 May 2007

Many estate agents and property investors like nothing more than a declining interest rate. The lower interest rates fall, the more money buyers can tap from banks. ...

Forces driving fixed investment onward

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 23 April 2007

How much of a fixed investment surge can we still expect, and at what level of GDP will we ultimately settle down? In the 1970s fixed investment for a while ...

Overall building confidence drops marginally in 1Q

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 17 April 2007

The FNB Building Confidence Index measures the business confidence of all major role players and suppliers involved in the building industry, such as architects, ...

Office Demand 4th quarter 2006: Source of demand

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 16 February 2007

Comparing take up within new developments as well as from existing stock in the market allows for an analysis of the source of office take up or demand to be conducted. ...

The Last and Next Big Thing

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 17 January 2007

The King is dead. Long live the King. The household boom of 2003-2006 is hardly dead and buried. But it has peaked, and will gradually unwind as tailwinds ...

Upwardly Mobile GDP Growth

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 28 November 2006

Impressive GDP growth data First three quarters 2006 +4.4% y/y First three quarters 2006 excl agriculture +5% y/y Top five sectors (70% weight) +6% ...

eProp Rentals November 2006: Nicely does it

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 09 November 2006

The annual rate of industrial rental growth (16%) has now superseded retail growth at 15%. Retail growth in September was higher, namely at 27% year-on-year. Office ...

Global REITs Performance Assessment

ResearchWorldwide.com
Article Date: 07 November 2006

"Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and their look-alikes, are now active in 16 countries with a further 7 countries finalizing their REIT type structures. ...

Property is the ideal long-term investment and it serves as security

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 01 November 2006

The buildings wear out the quickest, in anything from 75 years (a typical house) to   5 000 years (Egypt's pyramids). The land and the title deeds can ...

More offices in line for Century City

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 01 November 2006

If the South African economy continues to grow at projected levels, the office component of Century City could increase to about 600 000m² by 2012, making it the ...

Growth Galore

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 30 October 2006

With interest rates rising, passenger car sales growth down to mid-single digits and the top end of the residential property market already in the slow lane these ...

Consortium invests another R7 billion in V&A

Moneyweb
Article Date: 30 October 2006

The consortium of investors from Dubai and London that paid in excess of R7bn for Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, are so pleased with their investment that they ...

On balance property doing well

Fin24.co.za
Article Date: 23 October 2006

Commercial property pundits maintain that moderate levels of interest rate hikes have not dampened market fundamentals and certainly it appears from the listed ...

Industrial property buoyant

Business Day
Article Date: 23 October 2006

The booming industrial property market, which has experienced strong price and rental growth during this year, is expected to continue to perform next year on the ...

Changing Trends in Office Ownership Worldwide

ResearchWorldwide.com
Article Date: 19 October 2006

"Every week, since 2001, on average, US$4 billion in office properties changes ownership worldwide. The categories of new owners of these office buildings differ ...

The Fixed Investment Juggernaut

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 18 October 2006

The SARB reported very strong fixed investment growth two weeks ago. During 2Q2006, overall real fixed investment (measured in constant 2000 prices) increased annualised ...

2010 World Cup and SA Property in the Spotlight

Business Day
Article Date: 18 October 2006

One of the tough questions being asked at the IPD/SAPOA Property Investment Conference later this month is how much impact the 2010 World Cup will have on the South ...

Losing and gaining steam

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 16 October 2006

New car sales, property and equity prices lead cyclically in the economy. New passenger car sales are now only 5% higher yoy, compared to 30%-40% early last ...

Impact of rising interest rates on cap rates

Rode
Article Date: 10 October 2006

Contrary to popular opinion, interest rates are only one of various factors that play a role in determining capitalization rates.  Capitalization rates – the ...

Fall of the mega-mall

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 06 October 2006

If retailers and property owners want to continue to attract shoppers, they need to offer an alternative to the air-conditioned concrete boxes that are still ...

Industrial rents soar

Moneyweb
Article Date: 03 October 2006

Industrial rentals in Pretoria soared more than 40% for the second quarter of the year.  Reflecting a countrywide increase in manufacturing activity, rent ...

Should your business rent or buy its property?

Moneyweb
Article Date: 26 September 2006

There is no uniformly right answer when it comes to the merits of owning one’s business premises: much depends on the nature of the business, the phase in which ...

The SARB Annual Report 2006

First National Bank - Economics
Article Date: 20 September 2006

EMPLOYMENT Over the 4 years ending September 2005 employment was up by more than 1 million people. Major employment sectors are construction, finance insurance, ...

Commercial Supply September 2006

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 20 September 2006

Across the three major types of commercial space, the growth in supply in South Africa over 2005 is presently 17% - the highest being industrial activity at 36% ...

The source of development booms

Rode
Article Date: 06 September 2006

In the housing market steeply rising prices are normally followed by a rise in new development, but in the non-residential property market the source of the rise ...

New mall to offer top brands at low prices

Sunday Argus
Article Date: 13 August 2006

Imagine kitting yourself out in some of the world's top brands - and not breaking the bank to do so. Fashionistas and bargain hunters can look forward to a new ...

Old Mutual raises Chinese wall over V&A bid

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 24 July 2006

The insurance and investment giant Old Mutual (OML) has raised a Chinese wall over the bidding process associated with what could be Africa's largest commercial ...

R83 million expansion for Cape Town Industrial Park

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 26 June 2006

A R83 million expansion is under way at Phumelela Park, an Old Mutual industrial park in Montague Gardens, in response to rising demand for large industrial space ...

V & A Waterfront bid could spurn mergers

Fin24.co.za
Article Date: 22 June 2006

Commercial property's most prominent movers and shakers will no doubt be tied up in boardrooms over the next couple of weeks deciding at what level to pitch their ...

Development supply - five year snapshot

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 22 June 2006

The following table highlights the level and annual growth of commercial planning activity (April year-to-date) across the main metros of South Africa.Only Cape ...

What causes a boom and a bust in the property investment cycle?

Fin24.co.za
Article Date: 08 June 2006

Bubbles develop in a market where significant imbalances between supply and demand take place and where a sharp and unsustainable rise in the price of an asset ...

Surplus stock mall planned for Cape Town

Business Day
Article Date: 28 April 2006

PROPERTY development group Spearhead will open a shopping mall in Cape Town that will offer retailers an opportunity to sell excess stock in a branded environment. ...

Merger seen as sign outlet malls are not just a niche

The New York Times
Article Date: 01 January 2006

Las Vegas - shoppers looking for the talking statues, ornate marble fountains, Venetian style gondolas runway fashion shows that draw crowds to the opulent malls ...

Commercial Real Estate Performance Eclipsing House Price Increases

ResearchWorldwide.com
Article Date: 11 August 2005

The commercial real estate market performance in fifteen countries, monitored by ResearchWorldwide.com, on average, bettered the house price increases in these ...

Double whammy for office property market

Rode
Article Date: 01 August 2005

After many years of underperforming, office rentals are set to soar sky high as both demand and supply side factors are exerting upward pressure, predicts the Rode ...

Property Confidence

eProp.co.za
Article Date: 27 July 2005

Search statistics on eProp highlights that the market is seeking retail space. Thus far, based on responses from the above companies, the anticipated conditions ...

Bullish about Cape commercial and industrial property sectors

Finance24.com
Article Date: 25 July 2005

Spearhead Property Holdings, the JSE Stock Exchange listed loan stock company, currently has over R500 million worth of new projects on the drawing boards and will ...

Nedcor sells Canal Walk

Finance24.com
Article Date: 04 July 2005

Banking giant Nedcor has agreed to sell the Canal Walk shopping centre at Century City in Cape Town to listed property group Hyprop Investments for a cash consideration ...

New lease on life for Ratanga Junction

Cape Business News
Article Date: 30 June 2005

Ratanga Junction, which has opened for the June July school holidays for the first time in three years, has acquired new owners and with it a new lease on life. ...

Be wary of buy-to-let market

Finance24.com
Article Date: 24 June 2005

While the outlook for the commercial property sector (retail and industrial) is particularly rosy over the next year and beyond, the average investor should however ...

Surge in listed property prices set to continue

Business Day
Article Date: 13 June 2005

The surge in listed property prices over the past few years looks likely to continue, according to the latest report from property economists Rode & Associates. ...

SA office rentals firm

Finance24.com
Article Date: 18 May 2005

Johannesburg - Cape Town and Durban were included in 11 cities experiencing an upswing in office rentals, out of 50 cities surveyed in Europe, Middle East and Africa ...

Tenants' market is over

Financial Mail
Article Date: 31 March 2005

Landlord payback as world's lowest space costs start catching up with international markets. Office rents in Johannesburg and Cape Town have burst through R100/m²/month ...

Residential conversions help ease Cape Town office vacancies

Business Day
Article Date: 10 February 2005

The Cape Town office property market, which has performed poorly for some years, seems to be turning around, with vacancy levels starting to plunge. The central ...

R230m business park for Century City

Cape Business News
Article Date: 24 January 2005

A 40 000 square metre business park is to be built on a prime Century City site in Cape Town at an estimated cost of R230m. The high visibility, prime location ...

Spearhead forges ahead with new acquisitions

Tim Cartwright
Article Date: 10 August 2004

Spearhead Property Holdings, the JSE Securities Exchange listed company, has increased its portfolio by a massive R33 million as a result of making two large new ...

Century City gets new owners

Cape Business News
Article Date: 05 July 2004

A flurry of new development can be expected at Century City following the transfer last week of the multi-billion rand development to new owners. The property business ...

New lettings at Spearhead point to upswing in commercial and industrial cycles

Tim Cartwright
Article Date: 22 April 2004

Debbie McCallum, a Spearhead Leasing Consultant, has confirmed that an upswing in the Cape commercial market is taking place. Since the start of this year, she ...

Nedcor sells Century City

Finance24.com
Article Date: 24 March 2004

South African banking group Nedcor's wholly-owned subsidiary Century City (Pty) Ltd has sold the property owning, construction and development business of Century ...

Ratanga still in Business

Finance24.com
Article Date: 23 March 2004

Century City has denied allegations that the complex, which includes Ratanga Junction, has been sold to make way for a huge housing project. Hundreds of employees ...

Century City makes its mark

Cape Business News
Article Date: 14 March 2001

Century City is rapidly emerging as a premier office node in the Western Cape with close to 110 000 sq m of office bulk having been sold in the past three years. ...