Articles by Bazza on ArticleSnatch.com

Make your kitchen the main attraction

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:23:16 -0400

“In fact,” says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, “buyers all want a kitchen that’s better than the one they have, so a good-looking kitchen could just be your deal-maker.” And writing in the Property Signposts newsletter, he says the following expert tips are bound to give you a head start: * Keep it neutral. You may find an orange kitchen inspiring, but potential buyers may well find the bold colour overpowering and walk away without noticing how great the kitchen actually is. So it’s better to pick neutral colours as far as possible for walls, floors, cabinets, countertops and any curtains or blinds. * Try to make sure your appliances “match”. Buyers may be put off if you have a black stove, a white fridge and a yellow dishwasher all in the same space, so buying some appliance paint to make them all white, grey or another neutral colour may be a good investment. * Get rid of all clutter and personal items like photos or memos attached to the front of the fridge. **End Summary** Topics: south africa]]> property south africa]]> chas everitt]]> property]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Issued by Chas Everitt International For further information visit www.chaseveritt.com

Buying off-plan?

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:19:30 -0400

And the first of these is the matter of the deposit. It is very important, says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, that you do not pay any deposit for a stand or an off-plan home - or sign any agreement to purchase such a home - until you have thoroughly checked the credentials of the developer and/ or home builder and made sure they are well-established operators with a track record of completed and successful developments. “You should also make sure that your deposit is only paid into the trust account of an attorney or a registered estate agent – not the bank account of the developer or builder. There have been far too many cases in recent years of bogus estate agents, builders’ agents and construction companies taking deposits for proposed developments and then simply vanishing.” Writing in the Property Signposts newsletter, he says the second thing to consider is the possibility that you may need two separate home loans – one to pay for a stand and the other for the actual structure - if the development is not sectional title. **End Summary** Topics: chas everitt]]> south africa]]> property south africa]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Issued by Chas Everitt International For further information call +2711 801 2500 or visit www.chaseveritt.com

Top South African estate agents choosing new license option

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:58:44 -0400

“We are continuing to have a great response to the model, with new applications coming in daily and have issued a number of new licences in May,” says Barry Davies, the group’s director of franchising. “Via the Notebook model we have strengthened our presence tremendously in the Cape Winelands, including the latest to sign up, Elfriede Retief, a well known Paarl stalwart, Suna Dorfling who is a longstanding Chas team member and Reon van der Merwe, a seasoned principal specialising in sales in Boschenmeer and Val de Vie estates.” Another new Notebook licensee, he notes, is top agent Christiaan Steytler, who is well-known for his many years of outstanding sales in Constantia and has now opened his own office with his business partner, Shaun King, in McGregor and is already expanding into the nearby Robertson market. The Notebook system is specifically designed to accommodate agents and principals who are strong in their local markets and wish to trade for their own account but under a national brand. “The model is predominantly aimed at smaller franchise and rural areas where traditional franchise and set-up costs are prohibitive relative to market size,” Davies explains. **End Summary** Topics: chas everitt]]> SA property news]]> real estate SA]]> estate agent]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Issued by Chas Everitt International Property Group www.chaseveritt.co.za

Follow the urban revival areas!

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:41:56 -0500

But most are still looking for “bargains” and in this respect they might want to take a tip from best-selling author and motivational speaker Harvey Mackay (Swim with the sharks without being eaten alive). Quoted in the Chas Everitt International newsletter Property Signposts, he suggests searching in up-and-coming suburbs where creative people are settling. “The pattern in urban revival is always the same: first come the artists - writers, painters, art directors and photographers who are looking for cheap space, for each other and for that certain cachet that their eyes can detect before ours can. “Then come the galleries and the restaurants, then the boutique advertising agencies and small architects who want to give off an aura of artiness. Then come the yuppies. Then come the tourists. “And with every new wave, property values go up. Until eventually, the artists who started it all get priced out of the market and have to go somewhere else. **End Summary** Topics: property south africa]]> south african real estate news]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Chas Everitt International Property Group www.chaseveritt.co.za

George property market boosted by local buyers

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:33:35 -0500

Property sales in George started an upward trend in September last year, which resulted in the best December sales figures in many years for the local Chas Everitt International office, and good results since then. “December was a record sales month,” says owner Pieter van Rensburg, “and it was interesting to note that most activity came from local buyers in what many regard as a primarily a holiday destination. These buyers started coming out of their shell at the start of spring with many homeowners upgrading and tenants buying first properties. “However, there was also an increase in buyers from other parts of the country, notably Cape Town and Gauteng, who were either planning to relocate their families or buying holiday properties. Residential properties priced at between R450 000 and about R1m are finding most favour.” Van Rensburg says that local buyers believe the property market has reached if not passed a turning point, and are expecting expect prices to start rising in the near future. **End Summary** Topics: george property]]> south african real estate]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Issued by Barry Davies Chas Everitt International www.chaseveritt.co.za

Cost effective new start-up model for top estate agents

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:50:10 -0500

Barry Davies, the groups director of franchising, says the Chas Everitt Notebook © system will accommodate top performing agents, particularly those in the likes of rural areas who wish to own their businesses without all of the traditional costs and structures associated with a full franchise set-up. "The concept is aimed at allowing people to own their own business and trade for their own account under a strong brand, without the usual set up costs. The licence grants an operator the right to use the brand, its systems, websites, marketing material and training, among others, within a defined area at a far reduced entry and operational cost," he says. "Substantial savings are also made because Notebook licence holders do not operate from formal office premises or have to hire administrative staff as the system allows them to handle their own transactions. Those agents seeking administrative assistance have the option of using the services of an admin agency at a highly competitive monthly fee. This will allow them further to focus on sales," says Davies. **End Summary** Topics: estate agents]]> south african agents]]> license models]]> agent]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Issued by Chas Everitt International For further information call Barry Davies 011 801 2500 or visit www.chaseveritt.com

Property sales surge in Port Elizabeth

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:15:19 -0500

According to sales figures at the local Chas Everitt International office, sales in the three months since September equalled those in the first eight months of the year. Newly-appointed sales manager Charlotte Vermaak, says October was a record month for the office, following a strong showing in September. The momentum was sustained in November and is expected to carry through well into 2010, she says. Buyer sentiment is underpinned by better economic prospects in general and better job prospects in Port Elizabeth in particular. Vermaak points out that local job opportunities have improved to the extent that employees at the local motor manufacturing plants and their suppliers are again gradually starting to work overtime. “The vehicle manufacturing industry plays an important role in the local economy and plans to gear up production for the export market in 2010 have boosted confidence. Better job prospects translate to better affordability in the housing market and affordability was further underpinned by lower interest rates. “Most current buyers are indeed salaried individuals with self-employed individuals now starting to look around more actively as well.” Home prices are attractive at the moment, Vermaak says. “Prices are on par with those seen in 2006. **End Summary** Topics: port elizabeth property]]> port elizabeth properties]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Issued by Chas Everitt International For further information call Charlotte Vermaak on 041 396 9800 or visit www.chaseveritt.co.za www.everitt-portelizabeth.co.za

Benoni property on the boil

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:08:41 -0500

The market started bubbling in September and has since heated up. Buyers are showing more confidence in the property market thanks to better access to finance as well as greater affordability brought about by lower interest rates, says Patsy Pretorius, Principal of the Chas Everitt Far East Rand group of offices. Sellers, who up to a couple of months ago were still over-optimistic with their asking prices, have become more realistic and prices are now in line with market realities. This trend has further spurred interest among buyers, she says. Benoni, widely regarded as a top address on the East Rand, offers a wide range of properties to suit most pockets. The city is popular among professional people commuting to Johannesburg and other areas on the East Rand because of easy access to major arterial routes. Although it offers all the conveniences of an established city, Benoni has retained a small-town atmosphere with many green belts and open spaces. Its series of lakes bisecting the town is a major attraction for water sport enthusiasts, she says. **End Summary** Topics: benoni property]]> east rand property]]> benoni properties]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Issued by Chas Everitt International For further information call Patsy Pretorius on 082 331 6197 or visit www.chaseverittgauteng.co.za www.everitt-benoni.co.za