 Tel:
+27 (0)11 955 9100Cell: 082 234 8080 E-mail: info@cyberagent.co.za Web: www.cyberagent.co.za www.cyberprop.com |
 |
Newsletter - 29 April 2008
|
|
|
| Word from the editor |
|
Dear CyberAgent user, Another month of 2008 has gone past! In the news this month the property slump. According to the FNB Residential Barometer and the property experts it now, on average, takes 12 weeks and 4 days to sell a home as the number of new buyers who have entered the property market in 2008 had dropped by 3% compared to the first quarter of 2007. The Barometer was also at its lowest point since its inception in 2003. Indeed not good news for estate agencies and agents. I found the following phrase on the Internet and just love it! "All estate agents know that the vast majority of house buyers use the web for research." Do you agree with this? Through our CyberAgent application we strive in getting the best Internet exposure for the properties of estate agencies and estate agents. Do not miss the two articles on our affiliated International property portal partners, Properazzi.com through CyberAgent expands Internationally and DotHomes.com Invited to 2008 Web Mission Conference I get loads of REAL ENQUIRIES from REAL BUYERS and I make REAL SALES
through CyberAgent. Two items that I must bring under your attention this month,
Lastly, be on the look out for the next Property Professional magazine. On popular demand our next advertisement will again focus on "Real people making a real difference" Meet the team of dedicated people... making sure that for you, our value added technology, quality and reliability is always just a click away, www.cyberagent.co.za Greetings! |
| It's here! |
|
| Website Marketing - Updating to 20 websites from the 14th of April |
|
|
| Properazzi.com through CyberAgent expands Internationally! |
Properazzi visitors
Properazzi has been identified by leading media companies as an essential tool for buyers searching for real estate abroad.
|
| DotHomes.com Invited to 2008 Web Mission Conference |
|
DotHomes.com (DotHomes), the real estate search engine, today announced that it has been invited to Web Mission 2008. Taking place April 19-25 in San Francisco, California, Web Mission brings 20 of the leading U.K.-based Web 2.0 companies together to provide them the opportunity to meet with key local investors and Silicon Valley influencers. “Since we launched DotHomes in the U.S. in January, we have been overwhelmed by the positive reception we have received from listing brokers, real estate technology enthusiasts and potential strategic partners; and we are keen on building on the relationships which have already developed over the past two months,” said Artemi Krymski, co-founder of DotHomes. “We view Web Mission 2008 as a key opportunity for us to do this. The Web Mission program is a great way to help fuel the growing Web entrepreneurism within the U.K. and to create bigger and better opportunities for all the rising stars within our technology industry.” DotHomes is a real estate search site, which has been referred to as the “Google of real estate.”1 The site enables potential home buyers to search across thousands of real estate Websites from one place; and, with a single search box that accepts natural language queries – e.g., Florida Keys, FL, with ocean views, over 2 bedrooms and for under 15m. DotHomes allows for remarkably easy navigation to the most relevant real estate listings on the listing broker Websites. Article from: www.sys-con.com
|
| Estate agents could be out of work |
|
UP TO 15000 estate agents could be out of business by the end of the year as a combination of interest rate hikes and poor sentiment about SA’s future and the general economic outlook take their toll on an industry already suffering from depressed sales. Industry experts have warned that last week’s interest rate hike is likely to reinforce the trend of a shrinking estate agency industry, and the number of registered estate agents could decline by between 15% and 20% this year...
|
| CyberAgent Training and Info Sessions |
|
We now provide you with FREE training session in the following areas;
During these training sessions more information will also be provided on:
|
| PropertyTrader |
|
Your properties are now advertised online with Property Trader as part of your monthly CyberAgent subscription! |
| Special offer for CyberAgent users - Online Marketing - Easy and sensible |
|
Online Marketing, easy and sensible is the one workshop that teaches you all you need to know about Internet marketing. The content and subjects are aimed at beginner to intermediate level Internet marketers and contains fairly advanced SEO and SMO techniques, however it is easy to understand and apply. This workshop are updated before every presentation which also makes it up to date and packed with the latest techniques in online marketing. Currently the workshop is focusing on the following marketing strategies:
Online
Marketing, easy and sensible is the one workshop that teaches you all
you need to know about Internet marketing. The content and subjects are
aimed at beginner to intermediate level Internet marketers and contains
fairly advanced SEO and SMO techniques, however it is easy to understand
and apply. Special offer for CyberAgent users: Early Bird Bookings and discounts (Bookings until 5 May 2008) Early bird bookings: R2,250-00 per delegate
|
| The Trainer - Jill Corfield |
|
ACT OF PARLIAMENT The Act CLEARLY says that an agent not in possession of a licence is not entitled to commission. This statement has appeared in at least three separate newspapers to my knowledge. Unfortunately the statement is correct. The Act does not say that if you try to get your licence, i.e. pay your money, send emails, try to phone etc. and then give up in desperation, it is ok to carry on working regardless. The public is also reading these press releases. Sellers are already getting clever, checking the website to see if an agent is registered or not – then instructing the conveyancers not to pay out the commission. I have clients who have been to court over this and lost. Even though they had subsequently received the licence by the time the case got to court, the Judge asked the question “Yes, but did you have it at the time you made the sale – no – well then you are not entitled to the commission.” One of my clients has received advice from an advocate in this regard due to the fact that none of his agents have received their licences so far. This was the advice he was given – I personally think it is good advice – it is certainly better than doing nothing and carrying on operating without a licence. Do not misunderstand me, I am not saying this is the solution but I certainly think it will help in the meantime BUT YOU HAVE TO GET ADVOCATE’S ADVICE TO THOSE AGENTS WITHOUT A 2008 LICENCE The advice from the Advocate was to get the Principal or a qualified agent to also sign the agreement and thus accept the benefits [do not forget that the agent is not a party to the agreement so needs to do this] so that the agreement is now signed by a licensed agent. [Of course this won’t work if the Principal has not got one either] It would interesting to argue whether or not the licensed agent has to be present at the time [as is the case with supporting a Candidate] or whether the second signature can be obtained back at the office. I personally think the qualified agent should be present to be on the safe side but seek legal advice on this if you want to do this, Another client of mine is inserting a clause into the agreement that says something like this “Both buyer and seller are aware that the agent has not received his licence from the Board and both confirm that the agent is to receive the commission in terms of this agreement” [Get your pet attorney to word this clause in correct legal language if you wish to go this route] I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER FOR EITHER OF THESE PIECES OF ADVICE THAT I HAVE PASSED ON! CHECK FIRST TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE 1. Was the Company audit for 2007 submitted within 4 months of the Financial Year end [otherwise no licences will be issued for the following year i.e. 2008 unless arrangements have been made with the EAAB] The official Audit form can be found on the EAAB web site – eaab.gov.za. 2. Was the money paid into the right bank account i.e. the Licence account? ABSA 405 203 3310 Make sure you do not use the ABSA Exam account used by the Students when writing the EAAB exam No 179 017 0535 3. Was your pin number quoted as a reference [if not, they cannot marry up your payment – they use the reference no. to find you on the system.] My reference no for e.g. is 018 598 8 4. Was your name, initials and ID number quoted as a back up to help identify you. Sometimes known first names do not match real names. 5. If you are female and got married recently – does your surname match their records? 6. Did you pay the right amount? See the separate schedule below. 7. If you were applying for the first time, was your form accompanied by a letter from your Principal stating that you were employed by the Company. 8. Have you got all your evidence of payment – deposit slip or electronic transfer together with application form if applicable. If you are going to query why you have not received your licence, make sure you have all this documentation easily to hand.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| News |
|
A warm welcome to all new Agencies March 2008:
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 us at support@cyberprop.com or phone us at: +27 (0)11 955-9100 or 086 112- 9237 Most Internet enquiries March 2008:
|
| SA Hometraders |
|
Now you can update directly to SAhometraders when you do a property update in CyberAgent.
USP Designs (Pty) LTD and SAhometraders have formed a working relationship that now allows CyberAgent Users to update to SAhometraders without double property capturing.
USP Designs have negotiated a reduced monthly subscription of R250.00 excl. VAT to SAhometraders for all CyberAgent users.
If you are interested contact Sandy on 011 955 9100 or complete the form on this link and we will contact you shortly.
|
| What Sales Managers want from Sales People |
|
What do top sales professionals do that impresses their customers? Interviews with 80,000 customers told us that sales professionals exhibit the following traits
These are the traits that your customers are saying represent the world class sales. They are also the quickest route to the only direct source of sales success – the customer’s decision to buy! Article by: Peter Gilbert, Chairman, HR Chally SA
|
| NETWORK LIKE A PRO IN 2008 |
|
1. Understand the “point” of networking. It’s about building relationships, not just about how many people you can meet. Courtesy reigns supreme
2. Define your networking goals. Building meaningful relationships with people who aren’t relevant to your industry is unnecessarily time consuming. Also, if you don’t clearly know what you want (more business, tips, referrals, introductions, advice?), then you might miss valuable resource opportunities in a room
3. Approach people by showing an interest in what they do. Ask open-ended questions to prompt discussion. Listen and show that you are listening
4. Whenever you see the opportunity, put others in touch. This is a great way to please people and to prove yourself a valuable potential contact
5. When pressed for time, use a standard conversation closer: “It’s been a pleasure meeting you”
6. Follow up promptly. Don’t fall prey to the cooling off period that quickly dissipates a person’s initial interest in you. When people give you referrals, contact them soon. When you promise to provide information, send that email ASAP
Remember: Nothing beats a spot on the agenda. If you are a speaker at a function, the networking tends to come to you. To increase the opportunity, end your presentation by offering to give something out – an emailed article or a copy of your slides, for example – to anyone who gives you their business card afterwards. Article by: Douglas Kruger, Speaker and Trainer
|
| 'Board must go,' says RE/MAX |
|
A leading South African real estate group has called for the unbundling of the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) and for the real estate industry to be allowed to "revert to self-regulation", reports property website Property24. The report says the call from RE/MAX of Southern Africa comes in the wake of the EAAB being publicly criticised by a number of real estate industry players and particularly the Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa (IEASA) alleging the EAAB is incompetent, does not respond to telephone calls and often fails altogether to issue fidelity fund certificates or falls short in issuing them timeously to estate agents. |
| Quotation of the month |
|
No matter how advanced your camera you still need
to be responsible for getting it to the right place at the right time
and pointing it in the right direction to get the photo you want.
|
With
the latest innovation from USP Designs, you can expect your office
to be a little quieter from now on. At USP Designs, we understand
that time spent behind a desk, is money lost, therefore we have
invested a great deal of time in developing software that allows
the agent to spend less time in the office, leaving more time seeing
clients and the office in full control at all times.
Property
trader is a free real estate magazine, targeting all sectors of the South
African residential property community. The publications provide compelling
local market editorial with informative national features and columns
delivering a truly unique perspective for those of you interested in the
property market. As a group we currently publish in excess of 60 million
pages of advertising per month via more than 400 000 issues weekly in
the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal and Mpumalanga.