Nomonde Mapetla suspended.

Sunday Times - February 20, 2011

I have allways maintained that the qualifications are inappropriate and not conducive to allowing new black entrants into the market. This view is also shared by others in the industry.

I quote from the above article: "Geffen said that under Mapetla the EAAB 'has made it impossible for new agents to enter the market'.

Geffen said this was because of Mapetla's insistence that all agents have recognised qualifications.

'Very few people are coming in simply because the exams are too hard... it's made it impossible for black, white pink or yellow to enter.'

The EAAB is a consumer protection agency and should not attempt to regulate the industry through licencing requirements. Yes, it should stamp on agencies that defraud clients, that are unethical and dip their fingers in the tust money till; but not attempt to control the industry. That role should be handed to the profession to look after. Exactly how this is to be done needs some consultation with the industry and not the one-sided approach that the EAAB has been following.

Voetsek Voetstoots.

The new credit act (The Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008) does not apply to once off sellers of property.

http://www.ita.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=268:voetstoots-clauses-and-the-consumer-protection-act&catid=25:newsarticles&Itemid=89

Free Listing Service

http://www.yeah.org.za/property-trader/?page=login&page1=sign_up

Vat or Transfer Duty?

A good article can be found here:

http://www.durbanville-property.co.za/info-vat-or-transfer-duty.htm

Ideal regulatory framework.

My comment deals with the "ideal regulatory framework".
The market, whether that of estate agents or any other industry or organisation, should be as little hampered by regulations and legislation as possible.
Normal common law / legislation already deals adequately with criminal / fraudulent behaviour.
Most additional regulation / legislation, whether intended to "protect" the consumer or "keep out the rats and mice" merely hampers entry into the estate agency arena.
In South Africa's case this means in effect that entry-level black entrepreneurs are particularly hard hit.
Regulations are not subject to the same scrutiny or public input as legislation and should be kept to a minimum.
Self-regulation is best with codes of conduct, etc.
The EAAB should assist with creating an environment in which estate agents, sellers and buyers can operate most freely.

Ideal regulatory framework.

My comment deals with the "ideal regulatory framework".
The market, whether that of estate agents or any other industry or organisation, should be as little hampered by regulations and legislation as possible.
Normal common law / legislation already deals adequately with criminal / fraudulent behaviour.
Most additional regulation / legislation, whether intended to "protect" the consumer or "keep out the rats and mice" merely hampers entry into the estate agency arena.
In South Africa's case this means in effect that entry-level black entrepreneurs are particularly hard hit.
Regulations are not subject to the same scrutiny or public input as legislation and should be kept to a minimum.
Self-regulation is best with codes of conduct, etc.
The EAAB should assist with creating an environment in which estate agents, sellers and buyers can operate most freely.

IEASA Meeting - Pam Golding Head Office: Aug 2010

Exercise gone wrong.

A "MOTIVATION Day" organised by one of Italy's largest property agencies ended in tears and scars when nine sales staff had to be treated in hospital after walking barefoot on a bed of hot coals.

Former athlete turned motivational trainer Alessandro Di Priamo said they had suffered burn, but none were seriously hurt.

He said the hotel where the exercise was held had used the wrong kind of wood and artificial coal without his knowledge. - Reuters