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Newsletter - August 2010
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| Word from the editor |
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Dear CyberAgent user,
You might think that you can say whatever you want for whatever reason to whoever you want, and you can, but there might be repercussions to your actions. Internet browsers might send you angry responses or worse of all they might skip your website next time they are looking for that specific property. Here at CyberAgent we give you the tools to list your properties but it’s up to you to do it correctly by displaying good Internet manners at all times. There are a few simple rules that you can follow; 1. DO NOT CAPITALIZE ALL LETTERS. On the Internet when you use capitals it signify that you are yelling 2. Then on the other hand be careful not to use all small letters as it will indicate that you are mumbling 3. Be careful of what you send or what you post as it is permanent “someplace”. Think twice and read it three times before you place it in Cyberspace. That includes your note fields or property description 4. Your words are the only way that you can communicate with Internet browsers. They cannot see the expressions on your face and they cannot see the smile behind the “!” at the end of the sentence. Use signs sparingly 5. Are you bright? If your answer is yes I’m sure that you are using a spell checker. Spell checkers are magic tools but remember that they don’t correct usage, tense or syntax. Before you click on that update button read what you’ve written and make sure that it’s correct 6. Be direct and informative at all times. Don’t waste the Internet browsers time as he will not be back 7. Catch phrases or slogans on the Internet are an essential part of your image and can make or break your “appearance” on the Internet. They are supposed to help you market the property and make the Internet browser feel more confident in the ability/credentials of you as an estate agent. Again, think about what you want to say in which way you want to say it 8. Lastly, when a person makes an enquiry they expect a quick response even if you can only give a more detailed response later it is critical to engage the buyer with an acknowledgement that you received his email query and that you are grateful for the chance to assist them further and do business with them Here at CyberAgent we don't say "Be legal wise" we say "Be Internet wise" Until next month! |
| CyberAgent Programme Enhancements |
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| Qualification process for agents |
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| Diamond Property Group a true player in two countries |
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| From our Accounts Department |
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Dear Debit Order Customer Re: Unpaids/Returned Debit Orders We have noted an increase in the number of returned debit orders on a monthly basis and have therefore decided that firmer action is required to ensure that our risk is identified and controlled effectively and efficiently. Effective immediately, on receipt of notification of an unpaid or returned debit order, USP Designs will forward such notification on to you via email(kindly verify your email details with us to avoid any delays or miscommunication in this regard). Should we not receive settlement of outstanding amount within 48 hours of notification to you, we will, without further notice suspend all services. Furthermore, an unpaid administration fee of R57 will be levied to your account for every returned debit order. All queries regarding debit orders can be directed to our accounts department on (011) 955-9100 or via email to accounts@cyberporp.com Your urgent attention and support in this regard would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely,
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| From our Webmaster |
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| From our Support Desk |
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| The seven top traits of successful agents |
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| Website Marketing - Now more than 100 websites! |
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| Monthly Stats - End July 2010 |
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| CyberAgent Training and Info Sessions |
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We provide you with FREE training session in the following areas;
During these training sessions more information will also be provided on:
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| News |
| To the editor |
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To the editor I would like to know who you could recommend regarding the RPL courses - I would like to do it full time and get it done faster not over a 3 month period. Please let me know if you do this or could recommend someone. Thanks Delwyn From the editor If you can recommend someone to Delwyn please send us your contact details to news@cyberprop.com In answer to one of the articles that was placed in last month’s newsletter, Principal’s qualification with the new Estate agency Boards Educational System, we receive the following response; Good morning Editor I refer to the principal that has 23 years experience and who do not wish to take part in the RPL (recognition of prior learning) process. I experience this approach to RPL by people who did not take part as yet and knows nothing about the system and it's purpose. The new qualification for both agents principals were designed to change the "Industry into a profession". Anybody could enter the industry thus far being a motor mechanic or doctorate in theology. This is not allowed if you want to become an attorney or accountant. The qualification had professional well qualified people subject matter experts in Real Estate to at least approve the final product. The Estate Agency Affairs Board also compiled a useful manual for the qualification for agents. This was also compiled by highly qualified subject matter experts and conforms to the requirements of RPL. You may ask if I am qualified to make this statement. I am a moderator and assessor in the RPL process, also a subject matter expert and sofar has seen approximately 500 NQF 4 learners through the process through different service providers. In the Netherlands their is a School of Real Estate, a faculty of the University of Amsterdam, where the compulsory three year degree can be obtained. The Nederlands also has a system of RPL for various professions in place. Our system is primarily based on the Australian model, where RPL for existing agents copleted it's circle and all new comers has to go through a process of learnership as we are doing now with new agents. Remember, this is recognition of prior learning (demonstrating how much you already know of Real Estate) and I am proud to say that my oldest student was 76 years of age and commented that "I still want to sell many houses for many years". So, why is this principal afraid of the process? I do not need to elaborate on how many learners I came across who did not know anything for example of money laundering and the National Credit act, also some of them having ten years or more in industry. Kind regards Send your viewpoints to news@cyberprop.com |
| EAAB – New education dispensation for estate agents |
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| IEASA - The Estate Agency Affairs Board(EAAB) and the services SETA (SSETA) |
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The EAAB and the SSETA, both statutory bodies, are pleased to announce that, after mutual engagement and extensive consultation, they have agreed as follows: The establishment of an Estate Agency Qualification and Certification Forum The EAAB and the Services SETA jointly intend establishing an Estate Agency Qualification and Certification Forum (“the Forum”) that will not only constitute the Professional Body for the estate agency sector but also be instrumental in the education, training and professional development of estate agency practitioners. The proposed functions of the Forum, more specifically, will be to: · Facilitate the registration and review the National Qualifications Framework (“NQF”) qualifications for the estate agency industry/sector with SAQA...
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| Online marketing for the property business |
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The property business is a high-risk, high-profit industry that is very competitive – and anyone working in it should take every chance to get ahead. However, many have not yet embraced internet technologies to help get the word out, and are therefore invisible to the 5 million affluent South Africans who are online today. Whether you are a rental agent, a buyer or a service provider to the property industry, creating an online marketing strategy is straightforward and doesn’t require extensive technical skills or a lot of money – just a bit of knowledge and effort.
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| News from – The Property Association and Nedbank |
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Biggest award in Real Estate up for grabs! The Property Association and Nedbank are gearing up for the 11th annual Nedbank Property Professional of the Year Awards to be held in Cape Town this September. The awards will celebrate the achievement of this year’s finalists, all vying for the ultimate title of Nedbank Property Professional of the Year 2010. Aside from the overall winner and top performer in real estate for 2010, the awards will also pay tribute to the industry’s Young Lions, who are the leaders of tomorrow, and it’s Movers & Shakers who have helped to shape it into the business sphere it is today.
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| Top 10 Tips for Online Branding |
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From propertyadguru.com; Here at propertyadguru.com, we see plenty of examples of online branding in any given week. Some agents have their online branding down to a fine art, while others are still getting the hang of things. If you’re looking for some ideas on how to refine your approach, here are our Top 10 Tips for Online Branding...
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| Tyson Durban North Come Up Tops |
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Tyson Properties Durban North came up trumps at Tyson Properties’ 2010 annual awards ceremony, not only emerging as the Top Office of The Year, but also bringing home four of the most prestigious awards - Ashini Harichand won the Administrator of the Year award while Monica Walker snapped up the Top Achiever of the Year and the Dream Award. According to company founder and CEO, Chris Tyson, the professionalism, integrity and perseverance of the Tyson Properties team across KwaZulu-Natal contributed towards the company’s three major achievements - its fifth anniversary, passing the R1 billion turnover mark during one of the toughest ever periods in the history of the property sector and winning the 2009 Best Real Estate Agency’ at the European and African Property Awards sponsored by CNBC Arabia. The company has just been announced as a winner for a second consecutive year in the 2010 awards...
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| Plett Agents receive Top Awards |
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Anton Nell and John Fuller receive Gold and Platinum Awards
John Fuller, Principal and franchise holder for Plettenberg Bay, received a Platinum Award for his sales performance in the second quarter. This was the only Platinum Award presented. John also received his National Certificate : Real Estate : Level 5, and is one of the first Agents in the country to receive this new qualification which is a compulsory requirement for all Principal Agents from the end of 2011.
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| Quotation of the month |
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What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it. Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
Manners
are important for estate agents, not just in real life but also on
the Internet. We received a request from one of our users to address this
issue in our next newsletter so, here goes!
Errol
Diamond of Diamond Property Group has now emerged as a fully international
property player in the true sense & has been in operation in
South Africa for the past 16 years & operating in Australia
for over 6 years...
Chas
Everitt Plettenberg Bay celebrated their Fifth Birthday by taking some
of the top awards at the recent Chas Everitt Eastern Cape/Garden Route
Regional Awards function in St Francis Bay. Anton received Gold Achievement
Certificates for top sales in the first and second quarters of 2010. Anton
is the only Agent in the country this year to achieve Gold for the two
consecutive quarters.