Tel:
+27 (0)11 955 9100 |
Newsletter - 31 July 2005
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| Word from the editor |
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Dear CyberAgent users, CyberAgent ahead of the market again!
Just for a moment, imagine the future of the real estate business…
Have you ever seen yourself being able to list property details,
take pictures and publish sales information and ads at the touch of a
button, while out in the field? Or simultaneously access your state-of-the-art
property management system, providing immediate, up to the minute
advice for buyers or sellers, on the spot? Can you imagine holding the
future of the real estate business in the palm of your hand? Now,
with CyberAgent Mobile from USP Designs, that future has become
a reality.
Our CyberAgent Mobile launch in Cape Town was a "sold out". In fact, we had to carry in additional chairs. Well done to the Capetonians!
Are you advertising your company, your agents and properties on the Internet? Are your agents aware of this? "We are having problems contacting the estate agents in the property details how are we supposed to contact them for information when email does not exist" This is just one of the letters that we receive on a daily basis. We now advertise your properties on 6 affiliated websites and with this we bring the client to your doorstep. Are you fit to follow up?
Why pay if you can have it for FREE? As we traveled the country launching CyberAgent Mobile it came under our attention that our CyberAgent users still do not know about the new SMS module - where a potential buyer will SMS an unique number to 35476 and in return he/she will receive an SMS back with all the details of the property plus the Estate Agent receives an SMS with the potential clients detail. What blows my mind is that our CyberAgent users are more than willing to pay our competitors R200 per agent or even R30 per property for the same function where we give it to them for FREE.
Should you wish to know more about this function you can read more about it in this newsletter or pick up the phone and phone support. And that reminds me, you can phone support on 0861129237 and this includes for support after hours! Greetings! The editor |
| CyberAgent Mobile |
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This innovative management tool provides real estate agencies with a complete end to end solution, that allows individual agents to administer, catalogue and publish properties online without being anywhere near the office. Combined with a CyberAgent real estate business management system on your desktop computer, as well as some amazingly cost efficient web site development and hosting facilities, CyberAgent Mobile is delivering effective technology that simplifies the property business for the better.
The idea behind it all, is that work is really changing and our productivity enhancing tools should be designed around the way we think about information availability – and the way we communicate. That’s why when it comes to selling real estate in the world of modern technology, USP Designs has the answer. This Johannesburg-based company puts it all online, and in the past 6 years has brought together over 700 real estate agencies, from across the country, into a centralised information hub for anyone wanting to buy or sell property anywhere in South Africa. The essence of USP Designs’ success is CyberAgent, and its property portal www.cyberprop.com with over 30 000 properties listed as well as its other affiliated websites like www.ananzi.co.za, www.sundaytimesproperty.co.za – including numerous others.
CyberAgent is a full office management suite which enables real estate agencies to file and manage business information smoothly and efficiently, from the listing of properties to electronic sales transfers. For instance, when an agency uploads details of a house for sale on the Cape Peninsula, a prospective buyer in Gauteng or even overseas, can view this information about the property, contact the agency/agent and immediately get down to business. It is very important to note that with CyberAgent, all actions are completed there and then – in real time – not within 24 hours, as is the case with other products.
Now USP Designs has added a first for South African real estate to its software range – the highly innovative CyberAgent Mobile solution. This component is designed to be used by the 56 000 registered real estate agents in South Africa. CyberAgent Mobile allows for the individual agent to manage his/her properties anywhere any time, with or without Internet connectivity. However, the application includes a powerful website interface catering for those agents who may not yet have a mobile solution, but who have access to the Internet from a computer. Furthermore, CyberAgent Mobile is supported by a number of well known technology brands, such as Sybase, Hewlett Packard and Leaf Technologies.
Pat Jewell, Operations Director at USP Designs, says CyberAgent Mobile is all about improving productivity, by integrating a multimedia experience and taking information to the point of activity. “It’s a real first for South Africa and a job well done by the development team” she says.
Visit our website www.cyberagent.co.za
for more information |
| What's New ??? |
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Property Manager
In order to make it easier to add content to these edit memo fields we have implemented a new utility that will make it possible for you to insert text lines from a list of previously recorded items. It is also possible for you to add and edit these items by clicking on the Edit Default List button above the item selection list. Another cool feature is the Bold button. This button will add bold tags to the selected text. This text will then be displayed on the Internet as BOLD text. This cool utility has also been added to the Property Notes form. Please note that these fields have not yet been implemented in the reports and will be in the next version. Also, please email Johan@cyberprop.com should you be using these fields and would like to place them on your website. One can now set the record order to Status in the Property Manager. New fields added:
Numerous times agencies are selling in a multi listing environment and would like to record the listing agency as well as the agent. It is now possible to record this. This multi listing form now contains a selection box of agencies and agents associated to them. To populate this list, click on the “Edit button to add new agencies and agents. These fields will be incorporated into the reports in the next version update. Property Manager Filter and Search Form changes Unit number is included under the Miscellaneous page tab Bug Fixes:
Slide Show / Client View Lounge and Study now supported |
| Training/info sessions |
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Some of our CA users in Cape Town, had a "ball" with the last training session:
Our next info/training session for the Western Cape is on it's way!
Please take note that there are limited seats available! |
| CyberAgent & Ananzi |
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| Why pay if you can have it for FREE! |
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Buyers driving past your advertising boards will be able to see an unique Internet Number allocated to the specific property. They will then SMS that number to 35476 and will receive an SMS back with all the details of the property. At the same time the agent / agency will also be informed of a potential buyer. How's that for technology working for you! The cost - mahala! Free to all CyberAgent subscribers. Here's a diagram on the way this process will work... 
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| News |
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A warm welcome to all new Agencies:
We trust that by now you are well aware of what CyberAgent can do for you. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Jaco at support@cyberprop.com or phone us at: +27 (0)11 955-9100 or 086 112- 9237 Most Internet enquiries: Cyberprop
Sunday times
From the Accounts department.... |
| The Property Manager |
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The Property Manager provides you with a very extensive and detailed list of criteria which you can capture for your property listings and gives you the control to decide how you would want these properties to be displayed on the Internet
You can add as many photos as you like and pls. do not forget the notes! Will the following notes sell a property to you: In the most upmarket security area this beautiful home with big offices and WENDY'S and a big flat. The house was build with the most beautiful entertainment area. The whole house was build around the swimming pool with a lot of sliding doors and the most stunning view over Centurion. THE BEST!! Well done AME Anna-Marie Estates! |
| Property transfers give Receiver tax gap |
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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) can delay the transfer of sales of property if buyers’ and sellers’ tax affairs are not in order, according to regulations which came into effect last month. The regulations, which affect all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and companies, require both the property seller and buyer to complete a declaration in terms of the Transfer Duty Act stating that their tax affairs are in order.
SARS spokesman Adrian Lackay said that SARS may appoint an agent, such as a conveyancer handling the sale of the property, to recover all outstanding taxes from the selling price. “SARS may also appoint the employer of the seller or any other person who has the management, custody or control of any income, money or property of the taxpayer to pay over the outstanding taxes,” Lackay said. The new regulations could cause lengthy delays in finalising property transactions, which could deter potential buyers from entering the market, according to industry and tax experts. Lackay said SARS would not adopt a heavy-handed approach in enforcing the regulations, but would afford taxpayers the opportunity to explain why their tax affairs were not in order. “Should the taxpayer fail to do so, the transaction will be delayed for a short period of time while SARS institutes the necessary recovery steps.” Vivienne Hosiosky, a director and conveyancer at Werksmans Attorneys, said the regulations would have adverse implications for buyers and sellers who wanted a quick turnover. “Usually a transfer duty receipt will be issued in three to four days,” Hosiosky said. “Now the procedure could be delayed for a lengthy period,” she said. Hosiosky said warranties should be inserted into sale agreements to make sellers and buyers aware of the regulations. Billy Joubert, a tax partner at Deloitte, said that non-residents had always been liable for capital gains in certain circumstances, such as immovable property. The new forms would ensure that such transactions were properly identified, Joubert said. Lackay said that if taxpayers did not resolve their outstanding tax affairs with SARS, the property could be attached, alternatively garnishee orders could be issued to their employers or banks. (BusinessDay) |
| Congratulations! |
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Former SA schools cricketer Jacques Bronkhorst has been declared the 2005 winner of the Nedbank Property Professional of the Year Award. Bronkhorst, owner of Johannesburg Southern Suburbs-based estate agency Pulse Realty, emerged the winner from among 10 finalists after a full day of judging last week by the Property Professional Club board of trustees. He launched Pulse Realty in 2002, having joining the industry eight years earlier after injury terminated a promising sporting career. The trustees recognised the rapid growth of the business and outstanding market penetration coupled with Bronkhorst's commitment to service excellence and high ethics. Jacques is also a CyberAgent user and we salute him! Visit the Pulse Realty website |
| Quotation of the month |
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"A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain" - Mark Twain |
CyberAgent
has managed to structure a fantastic deal for CyberAgent users
with Ananzi Property. For a nominal fee of R100 (excluding VAT)
per month you can list your properties on this search engine.