Dear CyberAgent user,

“Bafana Bafana steals hearts”, “More than 200 doctors are fired”, but what about news for real estate agents and real estate agencies on the property front?

Hopes for an easier home loan climate - Market indications are that the banks are adopting a more accommodating approach to approving home loans. And such a change is long overdue in that the tight restrictions and unofficial moratoriums applied by banks to home loan applications have undoubtedly impacted on the property market, says Gerhard Kotzé, CEO of the ERA South Africa property group.

FNB LOAN TO VALUE CRITERIA CHANGE - FNB have notified us that with immediate effect they will consider approving loans up to a maximum ltv of 95% in cases where the purchase price of the property is R1.5m. Their previous maximum ltv in this category of purchase price was 90%. Our Loan to Value Bank Guide-lines matrix will be amended accordingly. ooba

Municipal rates to drop? - We are coming up to that time of the year when administered costs once again start stretching the rand in one’s pocket. Electricity charges will shock and, no doubt, household rates will increase once again. Municipalities around the country will be sharpening their pencils as they seek more and more income with which to cover the current boom in infrastructural spending. The race to finish developments in time for the Soccer World Cup next year will no doubt produce a rash of over-runs, budget deficits and cash flow calamities. Pam Golding Intellectual Property

THE PRECARIOUS FUTURE OF OUR SIGNBOARDS -The Institute of Estate Agents is presently engaging Nationally with the various Municipalities to save our signage. Please realize outdoor advertising has become a big “clean up Issue” in time for 2010 Soccer. If your local Institute asks you for comment on the proposed new rules, please take the trouble to answer and get involved. It is in your own interest. Our apathy about our own industry is why we have these educational unit standards that we have today. So few people bothered to comment so we are stuck with them [at least until they expire]. The Trainer by JILL CORFIELD

All Real Estate Tools are Equal.. And Pigs Can Fly! Technology has become an integral part of Real Estate over the past few years. Tools like CyberAgent have played - and will an increasing important role in the future of Real Estate. Real Estate agencies and real estate agents using a tool like CyberAgent, gain the advantages of using the latest technology to benefit their business. The real challenge is to find a software application (programme) that supports all facets of the property industry, cutting out the need to duplicate day-to-day work. CyberAgent provides answers to all the estate agent's and estate agency’s needs

"Thanks! It looks great! Went to training today, I feel the whole package is great value and very professional. Regards, Dianne"

Good Luck!
The editor

New software version

Just a friendly reminder that the latest version of Cyberagent is now 3.100.1381. Please update your software.

New Property Info Display on website

1. You can now change the property display on your website to have a picture slide show instead of all the pictures displaying underneath each other. The agents info can also be moved to the right column above or below the picture slide show

2. You can display all the pictures in rows above the property info section with the agent info moved to the right of the page.

Email webmaster@cyberprop.com if you want your website's property display page updated.
Remember to mention which option you prefer.

Click Here for printable .pdf file

Debt collectors only!

Estate agents and sectional title managing agents must be registered as debt collectors before they can collect rental arrears, the council for debt collectors said on Wednesday.

"If they do so they are acting illegally and are contravening the Debt Collectors Act," chairman Jasper Noeth told a media briefing in Pretoria...

We now provide you with FREE training session in the following areas;

• Gauteng
• Kwazulu Natal
• Western Cape
• and the Garden Route

During these training sessions more information will also be provided on:

• CyberAgent Anywhere
  
• Keep me Informed Function
  
• New developments in CyberAgent
  
• New Update Manager
  
• REEP (Real Estate Evaluation Portal)

A warm welcome to all new Agencies May 2009:

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 May 2009:

The many estate agents in the Western Cape who regard the new educational requirements as a severe imposition from the State bodies who legislate on these matters will be interested to know that on 26th July the estate agency, Startprop, will be hosting a breakfast in an attempt to demystify and explain what the whole RPL programme is aiming at. The keynote speaker will be Ivor Blumenthal, the Head of SSETA (the Services Sector Educational Training Authority).

There's a world of difference between the Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa (IEASA) and the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB). Unfortunately, a lot of people confuse the two organisations, which causes frustration all round. We'd like to unravel the mystery.

The EAAB is the official regulating authority for the estate agency profession, and every estate agent must, by law, be registered with it. The EAAB has only one office, in Johannesburg...

The board achieves regulation through:

• Preventing unsuitable persons from entering the industry.
  
• Adminstering a qualifying examination for new applicants.
  
• Investigating complaints concerning improper estate agency conduct and activity.
  
• Imposing disciplinary on estate agents found to have violated the licensing Act or Code of Conduct, and
  
• Reimbursing consumers who have suffered financial loss through the theft by estate agents of trust monies, from its Fidelity Fund.

The role of the Board is neither to protect the regulated industry nor to protect consumers at all cost. Instead, the role of the Board is to protect the public interest. Protecting the public interest means assuring every individual's right to justice and equal treatment whether that individual is a consumer or estate agent practitioner. The Board must, therefore, use its best efforts to achieve fair and impartial enforcement of the law.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Be advised that your Agency's Audit Report is due for submission to the EAAB Four (4) months after your financial year end. Failure to submit will result in the disqualification of your Agency and all the agents. You will become liable to be charged and a fine of R500 will be levied.

Please find a blank audit report form on this website under Estate Agents Services then Registrations or contact the Board on (011) 731 5600