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www.thevillagenews.co.za
24 December 2019
MY HOME
That’s all for 2019, folks By Stephen de Stadler Managing Director Fine & Country Hermanus, Arabella and Kleinmond form for the future. I sincerely hope so and do still trust in the business and political acumen of our current President to lead and guide us through these troubled times.
A
s the rest of the country takes some time off over the festive season, it is strangely encouraging to spend time in traffic jams, which appear to be worse than last year. This should mean that there are more visitors to the Overberg than there were a year ago, which translates to potentially higher consumer spending and real local economic growth. This will certainly be welcome, because, let’s be honest, this has been a tough year, no matter what industry you are in. On the residential property front, according to the research group Lightstone, in Hermanus there were 517 freehold property registrations in 2019, compared to 923 in 2018. Sectional schemes registered 89 transactions this year, compared to 120 in 2018. Vacant land registrations total 125 year-to-date compared to 126 in 2018. Residential property sales are significantly reduced at the current time, when compared to previous periods.
The trend was repeated in Arabella Golf Estate where 14 total registrations in 2019 can be compared to 28 the previous year. Kleinmond on the other hand reflects 192 registrations this year, which is well on par with 2018, where 191 sales were registered. With results such as these estate agents who have managed to survive over the last 12 to 18 months normally look forward to a feeding frenzy as pent-up buyers demand is satisfied. Will we thus see a return to the times of old in 2020, where properties that remain unsold for more than a month or so are the exception rather than the rule? While I retain absolute optimism
about the future, I am also a realist, and we must recognise that there are many factors directly outside our control that are affecting the market more negatively than normal. Eskom and load shedding, SAA under business rescue, private data providers being told to reduce their tariffs, the proposed implementation of a national health scheme, amendments to the statute to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation, the list is never ending and gets added to each day. This all sounds deeply negative, but surely this is merely the effect of a poorly managed economy in the past being allowed to shed its gremlins, thereby creating a more positive plat-
Hermanus Golf Club Invites applications from suitably qualified individuals for the position of
Membership Secretary
The creation of a more positive environment should lead to improved conditions for the housing market during 2020. Even in these troubled times, homes that are correctly priced, are selling. Expectations of capital growth over the last two years need to be tempered, because this is the current expectation from buyers, which is also supported by the empirical data, including the consumer price index and business confidence levels. In conclusion, we would expect the residential property market to become more active in 2020, however growth expectations are still low, meaning that sellers need to adjust their selling prices expectations downwards. Always remember that estate agents are generally not valuers of property but rather provide an estimate of an approximate selling price for your home, based on current market con-
Strong administrative and organisational skills Fluency in English and Afrikaans Computer literacy Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Previous experience in a similar position will be advantageous.
Please call today 061 752 1423 or email us at wcbc2020@gmail.com
Please forward your CV to The Manager, Hermanus Golf Club, Main Road, Hermanus E-mail: manager@hgc.co.za Closing Date: 4 January 2020
As this will be my final column for the year, allow me to express my thanks to the readers (both hard copy and online) of this newspaper for their input and interaction. I have at times expressed opinions which may be contrary to some of the readers’ own opinions, but that is the beauty of our country. We still have the right to discuss matters, to say what we believe is wrong, to help to make things right and to implore our chosen leaders to act with care and consideration of what their actions will mean for future generations of South Africans. Have a wonderful festive season, and wherever you travel, do so with care, and welcome 2020 with a breath of fresh air and positivity.
Protecting what you love
“Good days start at night”
• Retractable Security Doors • Roller Shutter Doors • Cottage Pane Bars • Aluminium Roller Shutters • Swing Gates • Fencing • Louvre Security Shutters • We service the entire Overberg region
Applicants must have a pleasant disposition and be well presented.
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ditions. Saying this differently, in the stock of available homes for sale, what price will ensure that your home has a chance to be listed as a registered sale in a few months’ time? Buyers normally look at more than one property before they decide on their next home. The correctly-priced property is likely to win more times than not.
028 312 2616 6 Adam Street Whale Park Hermanus
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