IEASA - National Conference

You should have been there.

Even if it was only to hear Dr. Willie Marais, current Chairman if the Institute, give the 250 odd delegates a run down on the state of the profession.

He gave a broad brush of the activities as it relates to the S.A. Real Estate Proffession's relationships, alliances and bonds - Regionally, Nationally and Internationally.

A prticular highlight was in the area of corporate governance where Kate Colsell's persistence resulted in an updated Board Charter and Regional Operations Manual. This together with a strengthened regional structure should ensure good governance and play the vital role on municipal and local level protecting the rights of agents.

On an International Level Dr Marais praised the work of his predecessor Bill Rawson that laid the groundwerk to an improved relationship and Liason with the NAR.

Nancy Macaluso and Tony Macaluso (together with a video message Norman Flynn of the IRPF) interspersed the talk to outline some of the commercial and educational benefits of an international bond between the organisations.

On a little discordant note Dr Marais alluded to the impact that the OFO (Organising Framework of Occupations) is going to have on the implementation of the newly promulgated regulations - he believes that it was somewhat premature to have done it now when the systems to deal with them have not been put in place in the right sequence and forethought. In the same vein he regretted the less than optimal relationship that exist btween the EAAB and the profession.

Many other points were eloquently touched upon - the relationship with SAPOA, SAFRE and other professional bodies; the positive relationships with financial institutions (ABSA, Bond Choice); the relationship with the Services SETA; the Property Charter Council and so on.

My view is that while Unity is Strength, we still have too few members to really be the force to be reckoned with to keep the burocrats at bay and have a thriving profession (and a resultant vibrant propertry industry).

Let us get together.

Charl Heydenrych
2 September 2008

Trading illegally?

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=240173

IEASA - JHB Metro

An early morning meeting - Anthony van der Riet and Anne Fry discussing the shape of the moon before the first inaugural board meeting of the newly constituted "JHB Metro" branch of the Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa on Friday 22 August 2008.

A board was constituted at this meeting and some inititial portfolio allocations made. We will keep you posted with breaking news!

(Photo taken by Charl Heydenrych)

EAAB - IMBIZOs

http://www.eaab.org.za/article.php?a_id=56

Equivalency/Exemptions Matrix for Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 4) SAQA QUAL ID 59097

Equivalency/Exemptions Matrix for Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 4) SAQA QUAL ID 59097

If you want it - send me an email - proplib@tiscali.co.za - and I will forward it to you. Just received it from the Property Chamber at the Services SETA.

Simpiwe Piliso - sensationalist about the rental market.

In an article in the Sunay Times (p5, July 27 2008) the reporter used a series of emotive words and phrases to describe the behaviour of property owners in the rental market:

The following words were used: " - but they are sqeezing tenants to cover their bonds", " as landlords demand exorbitant rates" "only nine years ago" - my God, nine years ago one could buy a tin of jam for sixpence...

Simpiwe, also makes the error many times in his article about high "asking" prices(or on offer or on the market). Any first year economics student will tell him and any agent using similar terms, is that it is not the price asked that matters, but the price at which the transaction takes place.

He also makes it sound like a crime if one manages to cover ones bond with the rental as if that is the only cost variable the owner has to contend with.

I would have expected more facts and comparable figures in an article of this nature.

Yes, the rental market seems to be robust - but in a stuation of choice an exorbitant price is the same as affordable if the deal is struck and not a price if no deal is made.

Free the Market

Why would one not be a free market capitalist?

If , in a market economy, the government simply allows and then protects the private ownership of property and the right to the voluntary exchange of labour, goods and services through consenting participants. A society of peace and stability within which people live their lives without fear of confiscation through taxes and expropriation for the common good. Where willing buyers and sellers meet in an unfettered marketplace where the value of goods and services are determined by buyers and sellers that are allowed to trade freely without subsidies and price controls, tariffs and special licences and controls to stem the free flow of ideas and goods and services.

If, in a free market economy people can trade with their property and labour in any way they see fit, as long as they not act in a way that would infringe on others to be have in a similar way and without force or the threat of force or acting in a fraudulent way. Where individuals take responsibility for their actions and cause no damage to others lives and property. Where there is a free movement of goods and services between nations and states.

A free market capitalist society where the role of the state is not to promote the interest of any one group, where it sees its role as the protector of property rights of all and cherishes individual liberty and the rights of groups to promote their groups as long as it does not done in a way that it offends basic human and individual rights.

A free market where economic growth is high because of a low tax regime, where people spend more time and effort on creating wealth than on efforts to protect themselves from the tax authorities. Where the government upholds a policy of protecting the value of the currency and therefore takes no inflationary actions. Where nobody is granted any special privileges on the basis of race or gender and there are no special subsidies, tax consessions, import controls, tariff protections granted to favour some special interest groups. Where political power and influence is curtailed to the essential services of foreign relations, the army, the judiciary and internal safety and security.

A free market where rules are kept simple and understandable, where you would not find unrealistic building, zoning, and other restrictions on trade and costly process involved in setting up of businesses, the subdivision of land and the meeting onerous regulatory requirements when starting enterprises.

A society where the government allows communities and sub-communities a bigger say in those decisions that affect them directly. Why not free market capitalism?

Liaises Faire.

Charl Heydenrych

EAAB presentation.

Do you want the presentation in Power Point that the EAAB give on their road show about the new dispensation?

Email me and I will send you the file on the new FETC: Real Estate.