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T
imes are tough in real estate. The Covid-19 economic hang-over, poor productivity due to agents working in isolation from home and antiquated processes have seen many companies downsize or even shut their doors. But Prop247, headed by group CEO, Brett van Laun, has clocked up record months in troubled times and even trebled his staff count by hiring when others were retrenching. The company has a network of strategically placed branches extending from Ballito and uMhlanga to Morningside, and not only services exclusive residential estates, but also specialises in industrial, retail and commercial property. In addition, it manages a large residential portfolio and one of the largest holiday letting divisions in KZN. Brett believes it is important for a real estate company to move with the times and to build a vibrant team where agents not only have in-depth knowledge of the property market, but set high standards when it comes to professionalism and customer service. A passionate entrepreneur, he identifies key facets of his business that set his company apart – technology, understanding the dynamics of online marketing, and diversification just for starters. “I’ve been there, done that and been personally invested in all facets of this business,” he explains, adding that he knows the industry from the
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LOOKING FOR A ONE-STOP PROPERTY SHOP THAT’S TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED TO OFFER THEIR CLIENTS THE BEST SERVICE FOR HOLIDAY RENTALS, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SALES AND RENTALS, PLUS A WHOLE LOT MORE? THEN LOOK NO FURTHER THAN PROP247
perspective of both the investor and the broker. He understands the marketing and the numbers and trains his agents to achieve the best results for the client. With a strong marketing
We are a one-stop shop offering a solution to all needs” background, Brett started out with a web development company 23 years ago. “We really struggled and almost closed. Others couldn’t see
what I could but, eventually, it took off,” he recalls. As things improved, he began investing in property, buying and renovating and reselling homes and, ultimately, developing a holiday rental business. By January 2005, he had bought a property in Windermere Road and moved his IT and marketing business there and rented out the remainder of the property. As he continued to invest in, renovate and sell properties as well as dabble in sheriff’s auctions, he also began butting heads with poor service delivery and decided to create his own real estate business.
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His strong IT-based approach to marketing has set the company apart, he believes. Understanding how algorithms work and what needs to be done to keep the properties he is marketing at the top of online listings has proved a major plus. This not only applies to property portals but also to marketing of properties via social media. “Generally, we are a younger agency that has evolved with the industry. We believe in efficiency and good service but to do that you need technology. That’s why we are essentially a technologybased business providing a one stop solution,” he explains.
