The Gloss is Back on Braamies

STUDENT accommodation, yuppie lofts, shiny corporate buildings, restaurants and night clubs, all underlined by the efforts of the City and private sector, are bringing the vibe back to Braamfontein.
More... http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/4050/266/

July News Letter

Good Morning Investors

It has been quiet a biting winter, those of us with tenants in our units have not felt the cold as much as those who are looking, June/ July is always a quite time for landlords. Things have not been that quite on our side,

We have refined the way that we are looking after CBD units, with a big emphasis on our staff training. There have been one or two complaints about our agents not giving you, the landlord, the service you deserve.

Our business is to look after your unit so that you don’t have to worry about it. Our agents are paid for taking care of your needs, your feed back is very important to us. Our agents are aware that if we have any landlords that are not happy it is an opportunity for us to solve the issue; we are on hand to remove tat stress.

We are very excited about the CBD and believe that our landlords will see the rewards for there bold move. Despite the global financial crises our CDB’s have shown some resilience, with modest but steady rental growth across all of the major metropolises. In the first quarter of 2009, rental growth in Johannesburg 6%. In the other metropolises such as Durban (9%), Port Elizabeth (7%), Cape Town (6%) and Pretoria (5%), rental growth was also been slightly effected by rising vacancies
Given consumer inflation of 8, 4% for the first quarter of 2009 and real rental growth declined across the country we are still doing ok.

For those of you that don’t feel comfortable coming into town into the thick of the action, the next best thing is see it and hear it for yourself – on video. Get the City news, feel the Jozi vibe through these live action film clips. Read more

Lets not forget the 2010 Soccer, we are current perusing some options and will inform you of our progress so that we can arrange leases accordingly.

More than 55 000 soccer fans are yet to book accommodation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and Seeff Properties and football icon Gary Bailey have joined forces in an innovative joint venture that will see South African property owners score by letting their homes to alleviate the crisis. Read more

How to be a succesfull landlord

One key to being a successful landlord is taking the time to pick the best tenants and keeping the rental property maintained. If you do not have the time to keep up a property on your own, or if you own several rental properties, you can quickly become overwhelmed.
The tips provided



1. Always check references. Recurrent problem renters are usually quite accomplished at giving a good impression and can fool even the most jaded landlords. Always ask for references and take the time to follow up on them.


2. Get it in writing. In order to protect your interests and the interests of your tenants, get everything in writing. This means everything from a rental application to a code of conduct. If a tenant needs to have something fixed in their dwelling, ask them to provide the request in writing in addition to telling you on the phone or in person. This will help you with you income tax deductions and create a history for each tenant.



3. Provide a clean and secure residence. Keep the grounds of the property clean and free of debris. This will help you with property liability and keep your rental property looking its best. Depending on the location of the rental property, you may want to provide extra security measures. This can help keep your tenants safe and secure, and may even lower your insurance premiums.


4. Pick your managers carefully. If you do not have the time to personally manage your rental properties, you will need to hire a manager. But your success as a landlord will hinge on your choice. Make sure to hire the absolute best person for the job.


5. Get insured. Make sure that you have the maximum amount of rental insurance, property liability insurance, and any other type of insurance that may be required in your state. This can help protect you from devastating losses.


6. Make repairs promptly. Your tenants deserve to have decent living conditions. In the case of furnaces and other necessary appliances and fixtures, repairs simply cannot be put off. Try to imagine yourself in your renter's position. Could you live without running water for three days?


7. Respect the privacy of your tenants. Adhere to your state's guidelines for entry into a rented dwelling. Most states require at least a 24 hour notice before a tenant is required to allow their landlord to enter their rented dwelling.


8. Do not discriminate. Follow the Fair Housing Administration Act when you screen prospective tenants. A discrimination lawsuit is extremely costly and completely avoidable. Give everyone an equal chance to rent your property, regardless of their race, religion, or beliefs.


9. Have a well-drafted lease. It is imperative that the form of lease you use with tenants be well-drafted and pro-landlord-oriented. For a well-drafted form, check out the sample Residential Rental Agreement at the Forms & Agreements Center.


10. Always be fair. In addition to avoiding discrimination, strive to treat all of your tenants fairly. Try to understand their position and keep in mind how they may perceive your actions. While you may not be able to get along with everyone, having a good rapport with your tenants will reduce vacancy problems.

Exciting Times

Many property experts (as well as us) are predicting that the property market will start to take a turn for the better in the latter half of this year. To prepare for this upturn, We suggest that those interested in getting into the market start doing their homework now. Start looking at your options, work out what you can comfortably afford and try and get into the market as soon as you detect an improvement.
We must stress that the world has see some tough times over the last 12 months. There has been alot of artifical lowering of interest rates to help stimulate markets. This might cause a hyper inflation senario in 2 to 3 years time. We will be doing a little story on fixing your rates later in the year to give you all the pros and cons.

for now start doing your home work and start looking for those great deals,