Business Day Home Front 11 September 2015

BusinessDay

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2015

HOMEFRONT PAGE 2

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CT’S OFFICE WORKSPACE ‘HOTEL’

SURPRISING RETAIL MEDIA STRATEGIES

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HOME AFFAIRS HURTS RENTAL MARKET

“With the built environment playing a significant part in the global consumption of energy (40%), the consumption of fresh water (12%) and the generation of solid waste (40%), buildings are one of the major contributors to climate change”

PAGE 12

MELBOURNE’S ‘HAPPINESS DIVIDE’ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Brian Wilkinson, CEO, Green Building Council SA (GBCSA)

Find your green piece Are the many corporates that are greening their buildings doing so to score ‘sustainability points’ or do they see it as an economic — and moral — imperative?

WORDS: ANDRÉ FIORE :: PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

Friday September 11 2015

WORDS: KIM MAXWELL :: PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Ideas Cartel in numbers 1,200m2 over

two floors: Ideas Cartel i work and meeting space (Waterkant Street)

1,600m2 over

two floors: current Ideas Cartel ii work and meeting space (Twinnel House)

6,000m2 over

Working it in style

On some level it operates like any other cartel, promoting mutual interests and profitability for its members. But Ideas Cartel ii founder Schuyler Vorster has big plans for this high-end Cape Town CBD office workspace ‘hotel’

“With multiple tenants in our building comes massive buying power. We sign up our current and future tenants off plan, which provides adequate security for investors”

Co-working office spaces are not new. What is Ideas Cartel ii doing differently? Ideas Cartel i in Waterkant Street opened in 2013. It focuses on a co-working office with desks on demand. Ideas Cartel ii opened in July 2015. This fivestar serviced office space at Loop Street’s Twinnel House currently occupies 1,600m2.

Cartel ii has desks, but it is more about a members’ club and networking space — a luxury workspace hotel with office room service and hotel finishes. Business people check into a hotel to sleep. Now they are checking into an Ideas Cartel to strategise or run a meeting for a day. If needed, we also offer airport drivers and a concierge desk.

Is the Ideas Cartel ii member different? Yes, the offering here wears a suit and tie. It appeals to a more established entrepreneur or professional, whereas Ideas Cartel i is an early stage entrepreneur or start-up. In other words, Cartel i is access to opportunity; Cartel ii is access to productivity. Cartel ii is a premium third-floor workspace in Twinnel House.

It is a modern industrial space with nostalgic touches: leather couches, vintage mirrors and old cash registers. In the coffee bar, we are installing a spiral staircase to link the third and fourth floors.

What is on offer to business people? We are not reinventing the world; we are executing it better. Take a business meeting. Cape Town generally opens only at 9am for meetings, unless you want to have them in a noisy coffee shop. Here we host 7am group breakfast meetings.

“We charge a premium membership rate. However, it is an association that almost always results in improved turnover and visibility for your business” Any member can also Skype an order for coffee, salads, burgers, croissants, wine or whisky. And if you have a specific product or label in mind, our barista-butler will source it.

What does a business member pay at Ideas Cartel ii?

Monthly membership starts at R1,000 for co-working clubhouse membership (to pop in and hold meetings here occasionally) or R4,000

10 floors (on completion in 2016): future Cartel House (Twinnel House + glass building) — business and meeting space, rooftop pool, bar, gym, library and retailers

for a permanent single space at an open-plan desk. It is R12,500 a month for a single private office. For an office of four to six people, it is R21,500 a month. We go up to R50,000 monthly for a private office suite: one or two of our high-end international clients’ requirements include a boardroom, a private office, high-speed internet and a concierge service including a receptionist, chauffeur and private security. They sometimes also need a tour guide on demand.

What about the planned retail arm? In early 2016, the adjacent glass building will offer retail space on the bottom floor — we have signed up members who will operate a coffee shop, bespoke tailor, luxury jeweller and hair salon.

We take an active interest in our members’ success so we use them as preferred partners in any of our ventures, and offer them preferential rates.

I think that is why we are successful: if I am your biggest client and you are my client, we are both self-sustaining.

What is your member mix?

Our clientele is 60% multinational travellers and 40% successful local entrepreneurs. I have never subscribed to a thoroughly South African extension of a service or brand. I have always believed you need to be proudly international to compete, offering a service acceptable in London, Cape Town and Joburg.

So businesses benefit from paying their co-working membership fees? Yes, my job is to make sure your business is better for being located at Ideas Cartel ii.

We are 100% sourced from within, supporting members.

So the graphic designers, furniture manufacturers and accountants we use are all members. We charge a premium membership rate.

However, it is an association that almost always results in improved turnover and visibility for your business.

Stokperd furniture designer Monya Eastman initially made four bespoke desks for our first Ideas Cartel. With Cartel ii she is rolling off 40 purpose-made oak desks at a time.

How is the property model funded? At Twinnel House, each floor is 868m² (the building is currently six floors, but we are in the process of adding an additional four floors). The adjacent glass building (under construction) will have 10 floors, each 550m². The future combined Cartel House ii is being developed by King’s Cross Properties. Ideas Cartel is the anchor tenant and the co-working company that acts as leverage for acquiring property. With multiple tenants in our building comes massive buying power.

We sign up our current and future tenants off plan, which provides adequate security for investors.

Future plans for the combined Cartel House? By July 2016, our second glass 10-story building will be completed, linked via passages to the Twinnel House business space.

It will have a members’ library, bar, lounge, gym, rooftop pool and Wi-Fi on all floors. We are considering luxury apartments in that space too. We will open Ideas Cartel in London within the next three years.

LIFESTYLE Friday September 11 2015

DESIGN

FOOD

Retail platform WORDS: GEORGINA GUEDES :: PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

If you’re looking for an authentic French meal, but want something a little less formal, Bistro Michel fits the bill

Instead of putting up posters or billboards outside, ambient media companies are now using tailor-made formats to punt advertisers’ marketing messages inside retail spaces Shopping centre real estate 2,000 — number of South African shopping centres

23-million — square metres of retail space

6th

— world ranking for SA’s number of shopping centres

O

utdoor advertising companies are using highly populated retail spaces to bring marketing messages to customers in new formats. Retail centres are now earning revenue from advertising on non-gross lettable area (GLA) spaces.

These non-GLA spaces include building walls, glass facades and escalators. Instead of putting up posters or billboards outside, ambient media companies are using tailormade, entertaining formats to broadcast messages.

“Out of home campaigns that integrate existing structures like a wall, glass facades, escalators, construction sites, LED screens and even Wi-Fi into their creative realm are exploding locally and abroad. Brands are willing to pay a premium for these new spaces,” says David McKenzie, MD of BOO! Surprising Media Solutions.

He explains that properties can generate R2m to R3m a year by using their unused spaces for brand campaigns.

Once these spaces have been audited by an out of home company such as BOO!, they

PUBLISHED BY THE CREATIVE GROUP IN ASSOCIATION WITH TMG

The Creative Group CEO: Shaun Minnie shaun.minnie@thecreativegroup.info

Unit G4, Old Castle Brewery, 6 Beach Road, Woodstock, 7925 021 447 7130

EDITORIAL TEAM Acting Editor: Kim Maxwell Creative Director: Mark Peddle

are made available to potential advertisers as new formats with which to interact with the public. But McKenzie points out that there is a very fine line between invading what consumers feel is “public” space and providing them with entertainment. The BOO! team considers each campaign request very carefully, but is not afraid to turn down an advertiser if they believe there will be a negative impact.

“We wouldn’t cross the line,” says McKenzie. “We once had a client who wanted to put floating structures in Camp’s Bay to promote a cocktail. We told them it would ruin many beachgoers’ experiences and we wouldn’t do it.”

DYNAMIC CONTENT PLATFORMS Shopping centres such as the V&A Waterfront, Sandton City, South Point and Melrose Arch have signed five-year deals with BOO! to become dynamic content platforms. “At Melrose Arch, for instance, we will work alongside the existing team of interior designers and architects to put spaces to work without negatively

impacting the property’s flow and customer experience in any way,” says McKenzie.

BOO! has also been responsible for campaigns such as the large-format projection of the Elle McPherson lingerie fashion show. The event took place at the Rand Club, but was projected to a larger audience at 24 Central in Kramerville.

“We put up a 10m by 15m sharkstooth gauze screen and projected the live broadcast onto it, and onto all the screens in News Cafe,” says McKenzie.

This kind of advertising is likely to become more commonplace. SA has 2,000 shopping centres, putting the country in sixth place internationally (after the US, Japan, China, Canada and the UK) for its number of shopping centres. McKenzie is adamant that this form of advertising will add value rather than detract from the consumer experience. “If you can elicit a positive emotion while trying to communicate a message, it releases endorphins. If you do that, you’ve got a result that goes beyond the passive advertising we see out there.”

“At Melrose Arch, for instance, we will work alongside the existing team of interior designers and architects to put spaces to work without negatively impacting the property’s flow and customer experience in any way” David McKenzie, MD of BOO! Surprising Media Solutions

A

BusinessDay PUBLICATION

Art Director: Lucia Viglietti Editorial Consultant: Bridget McNulty Chief Copy Editor: Yaron Blecher

Birdhaven’s newest bistro In the heart of the suburbs, Bistro Michel is small and intimate, and serves hearty traditional French fare WORDS: CATHERINE BLACK :: PHOTOS: ISTOCK & FRANCISCO NWAMBA

W

ell known on the Joburg foodie scene since the days of Auberge Michel, restaurateur Michel Morand has moved on to something a touch more low-key in the form of Bistro Michel.

The decor is everything you would expect from a French bistro, with wooden chairs and tables, leather banquettes and brass finishes.

One wall forms a wine rack and another is covered in a map of the Paris Metro. The interior is small and cosy, with low lighting. There is also an outside balcony section with heat lamps to shield you from the chill.

In keeping with its simple yet sophisticated feel, the menu is small but well considered. For starters, I couldn’t skip that cornerstone of French cooking, the onion soup with Emmenthal croutons, which was rich and comforting. My partner chose the honey-roasted butternut pumpkin with green beans.

Although the mains contain elements of traditional French cuisine as well as English influences, there are hints of African influence in the

kabeljou fillet, Senegalese sole and the carpaccio of Mauritian sea bass (a starter).

We chose the delicious beef fillet au poivre with the Cognac sauce, and the sole stuffed with spinach and glazed with velouté, which was smooth and delicate. For dessert, we shared the chocolate fondant with crème Anglaise, which was decadently dark and very satisfying.

The wine list is extensive and features a range of both French and local varietals.

Though you can’t order by the glass, you can order by the carafe — a more generous continental tradition.

If you’re looking for an authentic French meal, but want something a little less formal, Bistro Michel fits the bill. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s as good for a weekday lunch as it is for a Saturday night.

TASTE FOR YOURSELF Bistro Michel 011 440 0769 bistromichel.co.za

ADVERTISING SALES Michèle Jones Susan Erwee Ian Pepler Bradley Sparks

michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info susan.erwee@thecreativegroup.info ian.pepler@thecreativegroup.info

bradley.sparks@ thecreativegroup.info

084 246 8105 (WC) 083 556 9848 (WC) 082 465 2734 (GP) 073 666 3842 (KZN)

INVESTMENT Friday 14 August 2015

HOTEL VERDE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Find your green piece

G SA’S LOCAL GREEN BUILDING RATINGS ADD UP 100 Green Star certifications = 1,844,663.5m2 gross floor area Gauteng: 1,230,534m2 Western Cape: 488,774m2 KwaZulu-Natal: 75,508m2 Eastern Cape: 10,032m2 Limpopo: 2,066m2 International (in Africa): 37,750m2 GREEN TIMELINE June 2015: Hotel Verde, the “greenest hotel in Africa” near Cape Town International Airport, is awarded GBCSA’s highest six-star rating July 2015: Hotel Verde is awarded its second Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Green Building Certification by the US Green Building Council. It is the first hotel to achieve this double certification internationally October 2015: The Sandton CBD will become Africa’s only car-free CBD during October. Large sections of the road will be closed off, to put the focus on cycling, pedestrian

oing green may be an overused catchphrase, but for corporate SA energy-saving building designs and sustainable business practices can boost efficiency, trim costs and leverage positive public perception in the process.

“Building green is an opportunity to use resources efficiently and address climate change while reducing its negative impact and creating healthier, more productive environments for people and communities,” says Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the Green Building Council SA (GBCSA). “With the built environment playing a significant part in the global consumption of energy (40%), the consumption of fresh water (12%) and the generation of solid waste (40%), buildings are one of the major contributors to climate change.”

In May, the GBCSA awarded its 100th Green Star certification to local buildings since 2007. But do a mere 100 “green” buildings make a difference, and how does the investment add value for a corporate?

“The 100 Green Star projects achieve the combined annual savings of 131,000,000kWh. This alone takes massive pressure off SA’s struggling grid,” says Wilkinson. “All these savings have a meaningful impact on the bottom lines of the businesses that own and occupy these green buildings.

In addition to creating more sustainable and productive environments, the financial

incentives of operating green buildings are also being realised, particularly in the face of SA’s water scarcity and increasing energy costs.”

LONG-TERM BENEFITS Gregory Rice, sustainability consultant at WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, says, “Although the initial capital investment into design solutions for green buildings is marginally higher than the standard investment (sans green), the long-term benefits are experienced from day one of operation. Green buildings have clearly demonstrated reduced ongoing operational costs, provide an enhanced work environment for building occupants and contribute to reducing the overall burden of the building on the environment through choice of materials and design.”

Ken Reynolds, Gauteng regional executive at Nedbank Property Finance, agrees: “Economic challenges make the business imperative for green buildings even stronger. Building or retrofitting properties using green design principles can reduce operating costs by about 30% per year.”

Reynolds says there are

advantages to developing green buildings from a financing perspective too.

“The higher rentals and increased capital values mean developers and owners can often attain a better credit rating and increased access to borrowings.” As part of its Fairshare 2030 programme, Nedbank is committed to ensuring R6bn of its lending is allocated to “futureproofing the country”, which includes socially responsible lending and carbon footprint reduction through financing of green buildings. This lending falls within the bank’s normal lending criteria.

GREEN CERTIFICATION Growthpoint Properties has the largest portfolio of GBCSA-rated buildings in the country. Its Kirstenhof Office Park in Sandown holds the 100th GBCSA Green Star certification, its Ridgeview office development in Umhlanga recently received a five-star design rating and its Ditsela Place in Hatfield received a four-star Existing Building Performance Pilot rating in April 2015.

And Growthpoint’s Rudolf Pienaar, divisional director: offices, was appointed to the board of the World Green Building Council in July.

Says Werner van Antwerpen, Growthpoint’s head of utilities and sustainability, “Growthpoint is completely committed to sustainable development and to linking environmental challenges to innovative and strategic thinking. It is a business imperative for us that is embraced by the whole company.”

Standard Bank’s Global Leadership Centre in Summit Road, Johannesburg, was awarded a four-star Existing Building Performance Pilot rating in July, and its Simmonds Street branch was awarded a five-star Interiors rating in June.

The bank turned heads, too, with its Baker Street offices in Rosebank, which feature 422 indigenous trees in one of Johannesburg’s largest corporate gardens, earning it a five-star rating in February 2013.

Stewart Shaw-Taylor, head of Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, says, “Sustainability is a holistic approach so we are particularly pleased that everything we have done at Baker Street contributes to the creation of a sustainable environment, both internally and externally. The offices are

“Economic challenges make the business imperative for green buildings even stronger. Building or retrofitting properties using green design principles can reduce operating costs by about 30% per year” Ken Reynolds, Gauteng regional executive, Nedbank Property Finance

a physical manifestation of the sustainability we aim for at every level of our business.”

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS Registered for certification, Total SA finished renovating its Rosebank head office in May. “We intend to lead the way in creating sustainable energy solutions that are environmentally friendly and make a positive impact on the people and communities with whom we interact. Our new building demonstrates this,” says CEO Christian des Closières. “We are proud to be the first multinational petroleum group in SA to truly embrace the next era of energy production and efficiency.”

In the Western Cape, the GBCSA’s new head offices form part of the five- and sixstar-rated Black River Park development in Observatory.

But it is the V&A Waterfront that is possibly the greenest business precinct in Cape Town. Victoria Wharf and the BP Building were awarded a four-star rating in April this year, joining Silo District’s No 1 Silo, which was awarded six stars last year. V&A Waterfront CEO David Green

says: “Sustainability is an integral part of operations at the V&A Waterfront and we are committed to leadership in sustainability practices in both our future and current development plans. We are genuinely committed to leaving a sustainable legacy for future generations.”

Nearby, FirstRand and Old Mutual’s jointly occupied Portside skyscraper offices feature a number of innovations, including a facade of which more than 95% can be disassembled, charging bays for electric cars, communal bicycles, LED lighting in more than 99% of the premises, and air supply shut-off in unoccupied spaces.

Reynolds says although some South African companies are more focused on compliance with B-BBEE requirements, there is a noticeable push by multinationals in SA to occupy green buildings to comply with global environmental ratings.

Regardless of the reasoning, these moves are very encouraging, and with widespread commitment from companies in SA, it can only get better.

Friday August 28 2015

Energy in numbers 100 Green Star projects = 1,844,663.5m2 of certified space = 263 rugby fields This helps to save: STANDARD BANK GLOBAL LEADERSHIP CENTRE

“We intend to lead the way in creating sustainable energy solutions that are environmentally friendly and make a positive impact on the people and communities with whom we interact” Christian des Closières, CEO, Total SA

131,000,000kWh/ year = power for 9,130 households for a year = power for Llandudno and Hout Bay for a year

176,000,000kg of CO² emissions a year = 44,096 cars off the roads = 5,000 full-

NORTH PARK

capacity Boeing 747 flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town

171,000,000l of water/year = 1 day of drinking water for nearly 86-million people

R88,085,955.49/ year in power costs R1,480,021.62/ year in water costs KIRSTENHOF

HOTEL VERDE

Private Property’s

B

etween 1990 and 2014 the average house price in South Africa, as calculated by Absa, went up by more than 10 times. It was a very rewarding time to be invested in property and many people have enjoyed a boost to their wealth because of it.

However, it has also been a very unusual time. This extreme price growth was largely correcting another

Neighbourhoods NEW Initiative

Paarl to Franschhoek Great food and wine culture

Find a home and a lifestyle that suits you.

A home for everyone www.privateproperty.co.za

INVESTIGATION Friday September 11 2015

Home Affairs hurts corporate rental market

There is blood on the high-end corporate rental floor following new labour and visa regulations WORDS: DAVID A STEYNBERG :: PHOTOS: LEW GEFFEN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

A

t the beginning of June 2015, SA’s new visa regulations kicked in, requiring unabridged birth certificates for children leaving or entering the country with their parents.

The list of requirements grows if a parent wants to travel alone with a child — consent from the other parent is needed. This is in addition to the regulations put in place last year that require prospective visitors to the country to provide biometric data when applying for a South African visa. Although the regulations are now being reviewed, players in the highend corporate rental and holiday home market believe they have already had a negative impact on business.

Sylvie Wrankmore, specialist agent for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in Camps Bay, says there has been a marked decrease in younger foreign families enquiring about investment in holiday homes in Cape Town. “The problem is that families are battling with the unabridged birth certificates,” says Wrankmore. “Unfortunately

“Due to the decrease in security of tenure, the landlords are often not willing to enter into contracts on these terms. To attract local tenants they are renting unfurnished. Those not willing to compromise are likely to be left with unoccupied apartments” Harry Meyburgh, director, Etchells & Young Property Brokers

we have also had a couple of foreign owners come to us wanting to sell their holiday homes in Cape Town because of the difficulty getting in and out of the country with the new visa process.”

MARKED DECREASE IN ENQUIRIES Michelle Burge-Thompson from Mozambique’s The Whaler in Ponta do Ouro says she has definitely noticed an impact on the number of clients successfully making the trip to SA, with many being turned away from the country’s borders after an eight-hour drive. “Two of our UK tourists were planning to visit SA for a weekend experience and were told they would have to fork out R900 for their visas, making the weekend getaway substantially more expensive than they had expected,” she says.

The negative impact is definitely not restricted to leisure tourists, according to Harry Meyburgh, director at Etchells & Young Property Brokers. His company has seen a decrease in the number of corporate professionals entering into long-term rental contracts.

Typically, these professionals would be relocated to SA for a temporary assignment and the rental contract would be for 12 months with the option to renew for another 12 months. “Highend furnished rentals in Sandton and surrounds that,

INVESTIGATION Friday September 11 2015

on average, fetch between R30,000 and R50,000 per month on 12-month contracts are now being rented out on short-term agreements of three months,” he says. “Due to the decrease in security of tenure, the landlords are often not willing to enter into contracts on these terms. To attract local tenants they are renting unfurnished. Those not willing to compromise are likely to be left with unoccupied apartments.”

RENTAL MARKET IMPACT Sherry Moldenhauer, rental manager for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in Johannesburg North, confirms this trend. Agents from that office confirm that just about all of Dainfern is made up of corporate rentals, where furnished and unfurnished homes are equally in demand. “Before the visa regulations were introduced, agents across all areas would sign two- or three-year leases. However, agents are now signing only 12-month leases with the option to renew,” says Moldenhauer. “Corporates are not committing themselves to long-term leases anymore.” She notes that many of the homes in the gated community of Dainfern have been affected, with agents now collecting larger deposits and being required to credit-vet noncorporate tenants.

But Seeff’s Charles Vining, who runs the Sandton office, says the new visa regulations have had no impact on their corporate rental business.

“In making the decision to relocate to a new country, all necessary regulations and requirements in terms of visas and permits are met well ahead of time, particularly when the employed party is relocating their spouse and children too,” he says, noting that corporate rental clients usually have corporate

“Unfortunately, we have also had a couple of foreign owners come to us wanting to sell their holiday homes in Cape Town because of the difficulty getting in and out of the country with the new visa process” Sylvie Wrankmore, specialist agent, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Camps Bay

relocation agents assisting them. “These agents are well versed in the procedures, requirements and relevant regulations. Corporate relocation agents assist on various levels, including housing, schooling and the actual move.”

Meyburgh believes that various factors have added to the impact on the high-end corporate rental market, with the visa regulations being the latest influencing factor.

“Ultimately, people who are serious about a career move, with SA as the next stop, will get used to it and comply with the requirements,” he says.

“We are hopeful that the regulations will be relaxed in the future.”

But Moldenhauer believes that, even though a review of the regulations is underway, it will be a lengthy process.

“The change in the labour law last year means that companies are required to seek local skills first. Should the skills not be found locally, only then can they employ a foreigner,” she says.

Moldenhauer recommends that impacted landlords look at adjusting their asking price to attract local tenants.

Once local demand has been confirmed, Meyburgh recommends removing the furniture from the property and placing it in storage to adjust the price for the local market. “The last resort would be to sell the property.

Fortunately, some buoyancy seems to have returned to this market of late.”

37%

— the drop in the number of corporate rental deals between January and July 2015 versus January to July 2014.

“This should be seen in the context that the available stock of corporate rentals for the same period has increased by about 50%,” says Harry Meyburgh of Etchells & Young. “The visa issue is not the only one that has impacted the market.”

CHANGING THE GUARD The Department of Home Affairs handed over its visa/ permit applications process to VFS Global in May last year.

The cost to apply via the website increased from about R450 to R1,350.

The site was down at the end of August for scheduled maintenance, leaving business and personal travellers with few options.

A website notice read: “Applicants who wish to apply

Analyse it

Numbers don’t lie

for any of our services are requested to plan their application and appointment scheduling in advance/ accordingly. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

WORDS: PATRICK CAIRNS

To invest wisely, know your sport

I

n 1975 the investment consultant Charlie Ellis published an article in the Financial Analysts Journal titled The Loser’s Game. In it, he made the revolutionary observation that investing is really a lot like tennis.

In the professional ranks, he pointed out, tennis is a “winner’s game”. If you are a Serena Williams or a Novak Djokovic, for example, you win points through your superior skill. In order to beat top opponents, you have to be able to win points by hitting shots that they are unable to return.

At club level, however, the game is very different.

There it is a “loser’s game”, determined by whoever makes the fewest mistakes.

While players might like to think that they can play like Williams or Djokovic, in reality most points are lost by the one who makes an error rather than their opponent hitting a winner.

Ellis argued that investing is the same. There are very few people who really have the skill to beat the market, and so most investors should rather be playing the “loser’s game” of minimising mistakes and not the “winner’s game” of trying to outsmart everyone else.

His observation fitted in with the way the market had changed. At the end of the Second World War and into the early 1960s, about 90% of the trading on the stock market was done by individuals. These were ordinary investors who didn’t have in-depth research and made a lot of their decisions based on outside factors; for example, selling because they needed money to buy a home, or adding to their investments because they had received a bonus.

In those conditions, it was more possible to play the winner’s game because the market they were trying to beat was not well informed and they needed just a moderate level of skill to look like a champion stock picker.

These days, however, more than 95% of the trades in listed shares are conducted by full-time professional asset managers. All of them are constantly analysing the market, and all of them have a huge depth of research to call on.

This really demotes the average investor to the position of the club tennis player. They might like to think they are clever enough

to beat the market, but few, if any, of them actually possess that skill. In fact, few professionals really have it either.

Ellis’s argument was that playing the “loser’s game” in investing means not trying to outdo the market but to rather use index-tracking products that minimise the chances of mistakes. It may not be sexy, but by cutting down on the chance of error, investors will win more often than they lose.

There are very few people who really have the skill to beat the market, and so most investors should rather be playing the “loser’s game” of minimising mistakes and not the “winner’s game” of trying to outsmart everyone else

FOCUS ON BLUE HILLS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE September 11 2015

Exclusive country living Your perfect home is waiting for you at Blue Hills Equestrian Estate WORDS AND IMAGES: SUPPLIED

GET IN TOUCH

We invite you to visit the estate to experience the beautiful properties on offer.

On show daily, 9am–5pm.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Musi Motsuenyane 082 806 1735 musi@century.co.za century.co.za

REDDFORD HOUSE PRIVATE SCHOOL Having opened within Blue Hills Equestrian Estate in January this year with a 70% occupancy rate, the new Reddford House private school is a collaborative initiative

by Century Property Developments, Graeme Crawford of Crawford College fame and the successful Reddam House private school situated in Waterfall Estate.

“Noticing the demand for and importance of top-quality educational facilities within our communities, it was imperative to cater to this need of our clientele,” says Mark Corbett, CEO: Century Property Developments.

Residents will benefit from the security and convenience the estate school offers and will be able to spend more quality family time together, as opposed to wasting time commuting in traffic.

Reddford House caters for learners of all ages, from toddlers through to grade-12s. It offers an internationally respected academic curriculum as well as cultural and sporting activities, all within a secure, relaxed environment that promotes self-discipline while nurturing individuality, talent and self-assurance and prepares students to excel in the world of work.

“Residents will benefit from the security and convenience the estate school offers and will be able to spend more quality family time together”

FOCUS ON BLUE HILLS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE September 11 2015

V

isitors to the Midrand area and clients with their investment ear to the ground will know about Blue Hills Equestrian Estate and the exceptional value which is being offered in this new development.

With more than 60% of the stands already sold, savvy investors have recognised the unique opportunity to acquire a large country property within a secure estate close to urban centres.

Located in Beaulieu, the large freehold stands range from 5,000m² to 15,000m² in size and are priced from just R2.5m. Clients are given the opportunity to choose their own architect and builder to construct their dream home.

“Blue Hills Estate appeals to people who want an exclusive country lifestyle within the boundaries of extremely tight, nonintrusive security and, of course, a secure financial investment” says Rob Emett, sales director: Century Property Developments.

Apart from easy access to the main arterial highways, this development is situated in a new urban hub that includes the recently opened Reddford House private school, an upmarket convenience shopping centre and several business parks (to be launched next year) that will all be located near the entrance to the development.

Century has found that Blue Hills Equestrian Estate appeals to people working in Sandton, Midrand and Pretoria, as it is close to main arterial routes. The estate boasts 128 properties and some of the most magnificent fauna and flora in the area, with ample greenbelts,

large natural dams and established indigenous trees attracting abundant birdlife. Residents can look forward to a unique dualism between country living and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The estate and its abundant facilities are conducive to a safe, wholesome, family-friendly lifestyle.

Century is so confident in the success of this new development that it has made a direct comparison between Blue Hills and the exclusive Waterfall Equestrian Estate that Century built in the Woodmead area. At Waterfall, the 8,000m² properties sold for R2.8m in 2010; now, just five years later, they are valued at more than R10.9m for the same land, while the prices of completed houses range from R22m to a staggering R160m. Century expects to see comparable appreciation on Blue Hills Estate properties.

Says Emett, “Waterfall Equestrian Estate is a prime example of how you can grow your property portfolio substantially by making a savvy investment decision. We envisage the same happening at Blue Hills Equestrian Estate, where stands of 5,000m² to 15,000m² are selling from only R2.5m. One needs only to look at our history and trust us as a reliable developer with a proven record of achieving wealth through property investment. We are giving our clients golden opportunities on a platter.”

It is not too late to invest at Blue Hills Estate. Don’t miss out: property values are forecast to increase dramatically, just as they did at Waterfall Equestrian Estate.

“We are giving our clients golden investment opportunities on a platter” Rob Emett, sales director, Century Property Developments

R55 ROAD UPGRADE TO BEGIN The country atmosphere at Blue Hills Country & Equestrian Estate will soon be complemented by access from an upgraded R55 double carriageway that services the area.

Harm Schreurs of Century Property Developments has spoken to the Gautrans appointed engineers, SMEC, who have confirmed that the detail design for the R55 upgrade project has been completed. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) has also been passed and the construction tender has been awarded. This will see 5km’s worth of the road (from the T-junction with Main Road to the south, to join Summit/ Olifantsfontein Road to the north) upgraded to a four-lane road.

Accessibility is an important aspect at Blue Hills Estate, with residents benefitting from multiple entrances, the soon-to-be-upgraded R55 road and a proposed Gautrain station within 1km of the estate.

FEATURES AND FACILITIES Reddford House private school Scenic walking and cycling paths Children’s playgrounds Tennis courts Space for equestrian pursuits Breathtaking views Century Property Developments’ signature infrastructure

INTERNATIONAL Friday September 11 2015

Melbourne:

a tale of two areas With double digit rental inflation and a large rental pool, liveable Melbourne is ripe for the picking WORDS: DAVID A STEYNBERG :: PHOTOS: DOMAIN

M

elbourne may be considered the world’s most liveable city by some — having being awarded The Economist’s top city liveability ranking for five years running — but it is not bells and whistles for every resident. This is according to research by SGS Economics & Planning, a Melbournebased consultancy, which says there is a “happiness divide” in the city.

Those entering the job market and looking to buy their first homes find life more challenging than residents with secure employment and mortgaged homes in the better areas of the city. While income levels, work-life balance, health and environment are factors, housing affordability is a key divider. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicates a significant decrease in the number of people owning their homes, with the number of people renting increasing in the city and its outlying suburbs, where more than 50% of tenants are 25 to 34 years old.

STRUGGLING FIRST-TIME BUYERS Some believe this shift in ownership has more to do with fewer people in this age group wanting to commit to buying, opting instead to travel or study for longer. Andrew Wilson, senior economist at Domain, an Australian online real estate portal, attributes the increase in Melbourne rentals to rising migration and increased numbers of first-time buyers struggling to get into the market. “Outer suburban rents and prices are typically lower than those for properties closer to the CBD, reflecting proximity to job opportunities and lower levels of established urban infrastructure,” he says.

Wilson’s perspective supports findings by SGS that those with higher incomes are generally more satisfied with local service provision.

Wilson says his portal has witnessed increased demand

for suburban locations close to the CBD. Demand for these areas is on the increase compared to CBD locations, reflecting amenity, proximity, affordability and lifestyle preferences. However, Wilson says that the income gap in Melbourne and resulting affordability constraints continue to drive demand for rental property in the outer suburbs.

SUBURBAN APPEAL First- and second-time homebuyers are increasingly flocking to the southeast Melbourne suburbs of Dandenong, Oakleigh, Clayton and Springvale, according to Jack Miltos, director of RE/MAX Property Specialist in Dandenong. “These buyers are young, mostly in their early thirties. With prices ranging from A$350,000 to A$900,000, these suburbs’ affordability makes them substantially more attractive, particularly due to the prevailing low interest rates,” says Miltos.

He notes that Dandenong, known as greater Melbourne’s “second city”, is undergoing significant development and expansion to become a major industrial hub, so is a prime investment consideration.

“Apartment and unit

“Outer suburban rents and prices are typically lower than those for properties closer to the CBD, reflecting proximity to job opportunities and lower levels of established urban infrastructure” Andrew Wilson, senior economist at Domain

growth is at 19%, and 54% of the population rents. The suburb’s good stock of newly constructed properties is an added attraction for foreign investors.”

Miltos says that Doveton and Hallam should also be on investors’ radars. “Doveton has experienced a 10% growth in the past quarter, with a typical home increasing in price from A$325,000 to A$362,000 by the end of July,” he says.

INVESTMENT VALUE Bree van Deventer, sales and marketing manager for Sotheby’s International Realty in Melbourne, says the city’s CBD and St Kilda Road are locations with high foreign investor demand due to the luxury apartments and good transport access found there.

In close proximity to the CBD, the suburbs of South Yarra and Toorak have good transport infrastructure so offer good investment value, according to Van Deventer. “To buy a two-bedroom, freestanding home in South Yarra or Toorak would cost anything from A$1.5m to A$3m,” she says.

Although a good case can be made for foreign investment in both markets, a concern for potential investors could be the impact that perceived lower service provision and access to economic opportunities may have on rental demand for outlying suburban areas. Wilson says these considerations have been policy drivers for some time, with government funded redevelopment of the Melbourne CBD and surrounds, to encourage higher-density living and to improve access to work opportunities.

Miltos agrees, saying that, collectively, the federal and state government have invested more than A$270m in infrastructure development, and roughly A$650m will be spent on infrastructure development in the Dandenong region over the next decade.

“These buyers are young, mostly in their early thirties.

With prices ranging from A$350,000 to A$900,000, these suburbs’ affordability makes them substantially more attractive, particularly due to the prevailing low interest rates” Jack Miltos, director of RE/MAX Property Specialist in Dandenong

PROPERTY NEWS Friday September 11 2015

WEALTH MOVEMENT CONFERENCE

Work-play-live 'hoods

S

ecurity and convenience are among the reasons cited for the growing popularity of mixed-use developments across SA. The number of work-play-live precincts being developed has grown in the past decade.

Examples include Menlyn Maine in Pretoria and Steyn City in Johannesburg. Some property professionals call these the developments of the future.

Jonathan Davies, manager for Pam Golding Properties Hyde Park, says that in Gauteng there has been a strong push towards mixeduse private cities, especially in the past five years. The reasons for this, he says, are the increasing urbanisation of city centres, increasing traffic

volumes, the erratic provision of public utilities and a desire among South Africans in the middle to higher income brackets to live in secure and convenient environments.

“These urban challenges are likely to become more pronounced over time.

Residents are looking to reduce travel time and costs, and seek greater convenience within a secure environment.

They acquire property in these communities because schooling, work, shopping, entertainment and leisure activities are all provided within a secure environment,” says Davies. He adds that there is also an increasing focus on sustainability and self-sufficiency within these neighbourhoods.

“They acquire property in these communities because schooling, work, shopping, entertainment and leisure activities are all provided within a secure environment” Jonathan Davies, manager, Pam Golding Properties Hyde Park

Ewald Kellerman, spokesman for Absa Home Loans, says millennials and empty nesters in particular are moving to these neighbourhoods because everything they need is within walking or cycling distance. Meanwhile, their parents, who are approaching retirement, are choosing to downscale because their large homes are costly to maintain and their family vehicles cost too much to drive.

“Many are seeking homes that better suit their lifestyle, require little maintenance, are close to amenities, allow for a sense of community and offer ‘lock up and go’ freedom. The costs of accommodation can be significantly diminished by

a reduction in travelling and the sharing of communal expenses,” says Kellerman.

Wiehan Strydom, spokesperson for Atterbury Properties, says all-inclusive neighbourhoods are being developed primarily with the intention that time should not be wasted in traffic and because more businesses are supporting flexitime, where employees work from home or satellite offices. He says they offer time efficiency, safety and work-play-live balance, and make a safe investment.

He adds that this type of development will continue as long as traffic issues are not resolved and until crime in conventional neighbourhoods improves.

in the first place. Load limiting is performed by monitoring electricity usage in households with smart meters. If usage goes above a certain threshold, a series of power cut “warnings” is implemented, at which point residents need to cut back on electricity usage. If this is not done during the three-minute warning period, the power is cut off completely. Here is the rub: only smart meters enable remote monitoring, so this does not reach residents with old-school meters.

outages in the Randburg area. But according to Aubrey Machela, general manager: ICT at the City of Johannesburg, the term has always been around. “This is when energy is rerouted if there has been an issue with a particular substation,” he says. According to City Power, an issue with an Eskom transformer in the Randburg area has been affecting supply. Explains City Power media relations consultant Hloni Motloung: “To prevent a total blackout of the Randburg substation, City Power is forced to rotate customers until Eskom resolves the transformer malfunction.”

Load up on load shedding terms

A

few years ago, the term load shedding hadn’t even been invented.

These days, most South Africans are all too familiar with Eskom’s scheduled power cuts used to relieve the national electricity grid. Now the City of Johannesburg has introduced a new term to the mix: load limiting. There has also been talk of load rotation.

Is electricity soon to become a rare commodity? To help clear the confusion, here is the lowdown on what the three terms mean: LOAD SHEDDING A measure taken by Eskom to rotate available electricity between different areas in

SA when the demand for electricity (the load) outstrips the available supply (the generation). Load shedding is a series of planned outages effected by disconnecting supply transformers until the required quantity of load is shed. In most cases, Eskom follows a schedule and you can (usually) get advance warning by signing up for services such as sharenet.co.za/loadshedding, or using the City Power website at citypower.co.za.

LOAD LIMITING This is a recent measure introduced by the City of Johannesburg in order to avoid load shedding

LOAD ROTATION Also known as load shifting, load rotation has recently been used in relation to power

Winning a home is good for business WIN A HOME

1. Enter the weekly Win a Home competition by SMSing the keyword given during the Win a Home TV programme to 33728.

2. Enter online at www.privateproperty.co.za or www.winahome.tv.

WHEN TO WATCH

Win a Home: The Design Edition first aired on August 21 and is a 13-week series.

Catch it on SABC3 every Friday at 7.30pm, with a repeat on Saturdays at 4.30pm. The competition runs until November 1 at midnight.

I

t is not the first time Private Property has given away a multimillion-rand home on national TV. In fact, it is becoming something of a habit, but here is the thinking behind the decision.

The property portal’s first home giveaway was in 2013, when they gave away a penthouse in Cape Town as part of a segment on Top Billing. Last year, they took the concept further with their headline sponsorship of a new reality TV show: Win a Home. They gave away a penthouse in Steyn City. In 2015, the dream home is in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal.

“We are all about property and people, and the idea of empowering people to find the home of their dreams is entrenched in our vision,” explains Simon Bray, Private Property CEO. “We have enjoyed tremendous success

“We find that there is great synergy between online, social media and TV. Our browsers have increased in double digits year on year, and we can definitely attribute some of that growth to this type of advertising” Simon Bray, CEO, Private Property

with this campaign. The show was consistently ranked as one of the most viewed shows on SABC for the duration of the first series and initial figures for the second series indicate that this year will be even better.”

A penthouse is a high price to pay for publicity,

but it seems to be one that is paying off, with a consistent spike in unique visitors to the website during and immediately after each show is aired. Says Bray: We find that there is great synergy between online, social media and TV. Our browsers have increased in double digits year on year, and we can definitely attribute some of that growth to this type of advertising.

“The idea of property is intertwined with the kind of lifestyle people are searching for. It is all about the neighbourhood, the type of home they can afford and the decor that suits them. Private Property offers all these things through the thousands of properties listed, the neighbourhood experience we provide and the property advice we offer.”

Do not miss the inspirational Wealth Movement 2015 event on October 8 and 9 2015.

Topics relevant to South Africans will explore why it is important to create and preserve wealth.

What to expect: The twoday event at The Forum in Bryanston kicks off with a VIP breakfast from 7.30am to 10am, with a short keynote address and panel discussion on strategies for investing overseas.

The main event begins at 10.30am with a line-up of speakers including Roger Hamilton, Billy Selekane, Hilda Lunderstedt, Dr Dolf de Roos, Scott Picken and Hennie Bezuidenhout.

Panel topics: These include debates on crowdfunding versus syndication versus listed sector (Reits and funds): returns, safety, and pros and cons; the best places to invest and the best structures; how to get a first world passport; pros and cons of local versus offshore investment; and how technology is disrupting real estate. On the second day delegates can choose from at least 40 relevant discussion topics, as well as a Women’s Forum from 12.30pm to 3.15pm.

The forum will be facilitated

by Hilda Lunderstedt on the topic Success, Life and Money.

Find out how to create wealth locally and preserve it internationally by listening to the experiences of five Wealth Migrate clients and participating in discussions on a broad spectrum of topics. These may include creating wealth through entrepreneurship; how to invest safely in first world properties in the US, Australia and UK with an end-to-end solution; investing in commercial opportunities in Africa; how to access the best real estate education globally, and crowdfunding residential development opportunities in Cape Town. wealthmovement.com

HOMEFRONT

Marketplace From sea to suburb to city, the8country’s most beautiful Chapter Home loan homes await you Home loan application process application process

Chapter 8

MAKE Home loan Chapter 8 Chapter 8

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application process Home loan

application process IN HOME LOANS SIX SIMPLE STEPS

Chapter 8

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HAPPEN

Chapter 8

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1. APPLY FOR YOUR HOME LOAN

2. GET A BOND APPROVAL

3. VALUATION OF YOUR DREAM HOME

4. LOAN IS APPROVED

5. BOND REGISTRATION

6. HOME OWNERSHIP

Go to nedbank.co.za/homeloans for all you need to know, from the loan application to moving in.

Whether you are a first-time buyer or not, we’ll make finding your home sweet home quick and easy with the Nedbank Home Buyer’s Guide. For the full guide and video visit Nedbank.co.za/Homeloans.

nedbank.co.za

Nedbank Limited Reg No 1951/000009/06. Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16).

HOUT BAY | LLANDUDNO | ATLANTIC SEABOARD 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND RECORD SALES

HOUT BAY / CONSTANTIA NEK

Lola Kramer

Shaun Kramer

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE | PERSONAL TOUCH

AN OASIS OF NATURAL SERENITY

COUNTRY LIVING 28M 28M CONTEMPORARY FAMILY FANTASY

Few homes enjoy such a privileged position with river frontage on 2 acres of amazing landscaped garden.

House size: 790 sqm• 5 Bedrooms• 6 Bathrooms• Study• Wine cellar •Aircon• Guest wing• Cinema room• Childrens TV room• Family TV room• Pool 12 x 4m• State-of-the-art security system• Solar power back-up • Automated irrigation• Borehole 4000 litre per hour• Lutron lighting system• Surround sound throughout the house & patio• Cottage: 161 sqm• 2 bedrooms• 2 bathrooms. Staff accommodation: 30sqm. Triple garage, guard house! Please call for private viewing & invest in your future paradise now! Walking distance to some of

the finest restaurants & shops in the cape.

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/DtgacFKHDdE WEB: 2765

SHAUN KRAMER: 079 520 9769 LOLA KRAMER: 083 252 1023

Others might call this the height of luxury.

You could call it home.

Visit our luxury residential apartments at The Houghton which offer stunning skyline views and leisure spaces like golf and running paths. The Houghton is a load sheddingfree zone, and will encompass The Houghton Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, with its gym, spa, pools, deli, skybar lounge and restaurants.

LIMITED NUMBER OF APARTMENTS LEFT – DON’T LOSE OUT

ON SHOW DAILY – LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIES FROM R3,9 MILLION Visit the latest apartments on Saturday and Sunday.

SHOW APARTMENT Unit 12118, The Houghton on the 12th, 53 2nd Avenue, Houghton Office – 011 034 2201 || Alan Becker – 082 718 8100 Email – alan@thehoughton.com

GAUTENG IN ATHOLL'S TOP PRIVATE ENCLOSURE, A CHARMING CHARACTER HOME ON 2078 SQM This south entry, north facing family home offers 3 spacious reception rooms opening onto covered patio and garden. Upstairs 3 bedrooms (mes) plus study. The extras include double garage, staff accommodation. Well positions for top schools and Sandton CBD BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 3 Joan Mendelsohn 083 267 3124 Lynne Baker 082 493 1006 Web Ref: 87689

ATHOLL R8.5 million

WESTERN CAPE STYLISHLY RENOVATED MODERN HOME! This immaculate, light, bright home features a double volume lounge/dining room. The open plan modern kitchen flows onto a reception area which leads through stacking doors onto a sun filled patio and sparkling pool surrounded by manicured gardens, set on a 2000sqm stand.

Upstairs 3 well-appointed bedrooms with 2 bathroom suites plus a study and guest bedroom en suite situated downstairs. Furthermore a separate and private 2 bed double storey cottage includes a lounge/dining room and kitchen. Set in a quiet cul-de-sac, state of the art security, double garages, ample visitors parking and a borehole.

Asking R8.2 million

CONSTANTIA UPPER Offers from R7.5 million

BEDROOMS 4 BATHROOMS 4 Charne Shipper 083 274 6336 Ingrid Hoaten 082 490 6246 Web Ref: 94150

GAUTENG ULTRA-MODERN 5 BEDROOM HOUSE SET IN SECURITY ESTATE! Not a cent to be spent – move into this entertainer’s dream home and enjoy every moment! From the gorgeous gourmet kitchen with its pantry and separate scullery to the spacious open-plan living areas, you will love this home! Covered patio is enclosed with aluminium stacking doors and flows to the landscaped and irrigated garden. Downstairs, a fitted study, guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom as and guest cloakroom. Upstairs 3 further bedrooms all en-suite. The luxurious master suite offers his and hers dressing rooms. Extras include fitted blinds, alarm system, LED lighting, wine rack, store room and remote controlled fans. Garaging for 4 vehicles and a drive through door as well as plenty guest parking. Staff accommodation.

RUIMSIG COUNTRY ESTATE R4.75 million

BEDROOMS: 5 BATHROOMS: 4 Kim Thompson 083 400 3750 Brett Thompson 084 655 5007 Web Ref: 85665 RESIDENTIAL SALES & MARKETING • RENTALS • DEVELOPMENTS • HOME LOANS