By Chantalle Bell The boom of the digital age has opened up many doors to the way we buy and sell property. In the past we used to pop out and pick up the latest copy of the property magazines available, today we switch on the PC or grab our smart phones as online property portals & Facebook has become the new ‘go-to’ for anything, including shopping for your new home from the comfort of your couch. So selling your own home today should be just as easy right? Not quite… With so many new services out there, how does one know which is the best, most cost effective way to go? Will you opt for acquiring the services of a professional, making use of the latest ‘package’ solutions to come to market, or trying DIY - either or your goal is to get into contact with as many serious buyers as possible. Craig Hutchison, CEO of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa notes that there is more to selling a home than meets the eye. The decision of how to handle the sale yourself is ultimately...

Years ago, selling property was considered a hobby or part-time job. Anyone was able to register and start selling. In 2008 the industry underwent rapid change, and being an agent is now a fully-fledged profession. Although from a general public perspective, the exact process is not quite clear and there is still a perception that being an estate agent is very much a ‘get rich quick’ scheme. It is common practice for clients to negotiate commission, which is why we look at the common miss-conceptions people have about estate agents. 1. Anyone may sell property for a living False > A Real Estate Qualification is required by anyone who sells property as a profession and you must be in possession of a valid FFC issued by the EAAB (Estates Agency Affairs Board). The applicant needs to first complete a 12 month internship (no exemptions allowed) whilst being mentored by a professional and experienced estate agent where after they can then proceed to complete the FETC (the Further Educ...

The real estate agent's offer in the buying and selling of a home is invaluable in today's property market with all the new laws and regulations. “In today's hands-on society, it's the responsibility of homeowners to fully understand all aspects of the buying and selling process – even the undisputed factor of commissions” notes Craig Hutchison, CEO of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa . The information below should serve to add a fuller picture to this part of the property process. Why are there estate agent commissions? Estate agents in most countries don't work for a salary, their earnings are commission based per sale they produce and often constitute their livelihood. When is an agent eligible to ask for commission? Both the agent and the agency they work for, must have valid Fidelity Fund Certificates in order to be eligible for commission. This means that the agent is qualified to operate in the real estate industry and has the necessary security as a saf...

Studies show that the employment rate for people with a tertiary education is 80%, while those with only a matric certificate have an employment rate of around 50%. However, a university education is not for everyone, and it's an expensive route to take, especially if you are not entirely sure whether your field of choice is what you would want to do for the next few decades. “In a modern day and age many other options are available to those wanting to get a tertiary qualification such as working an internship in the trade of choice” said Craig Hutchison, CEO of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa . Options of studying while working, or working an intern year is becoming an attractive and popular choice for those wanting to take their income level into their own hands. Perhaps your mind has not been made up completely on what you would like to study, or are considering a change in your current career, this could be your ideal solution as you gain work experience which better your...

Are you an entrepreneur looking to embark on a new challenge? Do you want to manage your own time? How about writing your own pay check every month, with as many zero's on it as you like? Take the next step and become a real estate specialist. Here are some tips on where to start: Real estate selling and buying means that a lot of legal aspects and transfer laws have to be taken into account. Paper work and professionalism is top of list for any rookie wanting to take on the property industry as a career opportunity. To make sure you start by building a proper foundation to your new career one should consider joining a real estate academy. To be a fully qualified agent, you need to have your NQF4 qualification from the EAAB: this qualification is to the equivalent of a BA Degree. In order to obtain this status, there are a few steps which you will have to take – but it will be worth all of the hard work.  To start this process, you need to join a reputable real estate agenc...