Residential
How to Banish Damp
March 4th, 2010The high level of rainfall in many areas this summer has brought to the fore the home maintenance problems that can be caused by the presence of damp.
Outdoors, the worst effect of damp is to cause walls to become waterlogged and collapse, but before that it usually also causes plaster and paint to bubble, burst and flake off. Indoors, it will cause a musty smell to pervade cupboards, rooms or even the whole house, and in severe cases cause unsightly mold and falling tiles in showers, bathrooms, laundries and kitchens.
Indeed, says Martin Schultheiss, CEO of Harcourts Africa, damp needs to be taken seriously and treated properly, otherwise it will be a continuing source of discomfort and even illness to the homeowner – and a severe deterrent to potential tenants or buyers of the property.
“Serious rising damp from the foundations will of course require the services of damp proofing specialists, but…
Tags: Consumer Affairs, Harcourts South Africa
Keep up to date by downloading the latest ‘Harcourts News’ iPhone application!
February 23rd, 2010Harcourts has launched an iPhone application for its news centre at the company’s Business Leaders Conference last week.
Managing Director for Harcourts Mike Green said the company’s motto for 2010 is ‘one team – in touch’, which will be woven throughout all actions by all Harcourts employees.
“Technology is now making it easier and easier for us to communicate with our audience.
“Our team is constantly utilising this technology to ensure we are operating in all channels of communication,” Mr Green said.
“While last year we focused heavily on upgrading our websites and internal communication tools, this year we are focusing intensely on new media and social media,” he said.
The iPhone application is the latest communications technology to be developed as part of the yearlong campaign to keep both the Harcourts team and wider community updated with all exciting news and information.
The application was designed using the iSite platform by Harcourts’ Head of Marketing and Communications, David Martin and is…
Harcourts NZ CEO predicts more positive figures
February 23rd, 2010While across the industry historically low numbers of properties changed hands last month, Harcourts New Zealand CEO Bryan Thomson says Harcourts’ performed strongly and initial February figures suggest a more “encouraging” level of activity this month.
Mr Thomson says that according to feedback from within Harcourts, New Zealand’s largest real estate group, there is a good pool of buyers in the market and a larger volume of properties coming to the market now.
“So we expect to see February and March being significantly ahead of December and January. Initial February sales figures are certainly encouraging,” he says.
Reporting the group’s January statistics in the latest Harcourts MarketWatch newsletter Mr Thomson points out that while industry-wide the volume of sales of both residential and rural properties slumped last month, Harcourts had an increase in written sales compared to January 2009 in three of its five regions, reflecting growth in marketshare.
Most notable was a 22% increase in…
Harcourts MarketWatch (NZ, Feb 2010)
February 23rd, 2010Please click on the link to view the latest Harcourts MarketWatch newsletter. (NZ, February 2010)
RBA decision bodes well for Australian property market
February 5th, 2010The Reserve Bank of Australia on Wednesday made the decision to hold an interest rate rise. This is a welcomed reprieve for the real estate industry, and will be appreciated by many families and businesses.
Due to previous rate rises, banks have increased their interest rates by several points over recent months.
Glenn Stevens Governor of Monetary and Policy Decision said since information about the early impact of these increases is still limited. The Board judged it appropriate to hold a steady setting of monetary policy for the time being.
Managing Director of Harcourts International, Mike Green, said to ensure the market is able to withstand further increases in the future, the RBA needed to make the decision they did.
“It would have been premature to count our economy strong enough to endure four rate rises in less than six months.
“This has already been reinforced by the weaker retail sales figures for December, which…
Harcourts acquisition sees group add Mairangi Bay office
February 3rd, 2010Harcourts’ franchise Cooper and Co Real Estate Ltd has increased its North Shore operation to eight offices through the acquisition of an established Mairangi Bay-based business which was formerly part of another international real estate group.
Cooper & Co Principal Officer and Managing Director Martin Cooper says the purchase of Realty Solutions Limited will see the two companies combining forces under the Harcourts brand.
Mr Cooper, who has purchased the company along with his business partners in Cooper & Co, explains the acquisition enables Harcourts to strengthen its position in the local market, achieve economies of scale and gain some excellent real estate professionals, including the founder of Realty Solutions Limited Robyn Coles.
“Robyn has extensive experience in the industry and is a real estate identity on the North Shore so we’re delighted she will be the manager of Harcourts Mairangi Bay and that she and her team, which includes 12 sales consultants and…
Harcourts opens its doors to Croydon
January 28th, 2010The Harcourts Croydon office today opened its doors, having been refreshed, revitalised and renewed, and the new owners are looking forward to servicing the Croydon area.
Narelle Dorney, David Hooper, Gary Seaye and Steve Williamson have joined forces to make the Harcourts Croydon office one of the top real estate agencies in the area.
The four owners met at a competing agency, and because of their expertise in their respective fields, jointly decided to establish their own business.
Licensed Real estate agent Narelle Dorney said the agency will be focused on delivering superior customer service, and will incorporate the latest technology for the convenience of our clients.
“With nearly 50 years’ experience in the industry between us all, we are excited about boosting sales in the Croydon area and joining the Harcourts team,” Ms. Dorney said.
“We are all experts in our field, and have many years’ experience in the local area, so know the…
Tags: Croydon, Harcourts Victoria, new office, property
New appointment reflects Harcourts’ Auckland growth goal
January 27th, 2010
Focused on growing its marketshare in Greater Auckland, Harcourts New Zealand has appointed award-winning realtor Jackie Maw as Franchise Development Manager for the group’s Northern region, which encompasses the area from Pukekohe North.
Harcourts New Zealand CEO Bryan Thomson says Ms Maw, who has an impressive track record as a Harcourts Sales Consultant and is also increasingly in demand as a motivational speaker, will be focused on opening new Harcourts offices in the Auckland area and recruiting sales consultants too.
“While Harcourts is already the largest real estate group in New Zealand and has more than 40 offices in Greater Auckland, further growth in this part of the country is crucial to the ongoing success of our group,” Mr Thomson says.
“In recent months five new Harcourts offices have opened in Auckland, all operated by established realtors who chose to join our group, and we know there is potential to increase our presence…
