Most people will agree that the use of technology can ultimately make life more convenient, organised, and altogether more efficient. iPads, Facebook, Twitter, Google Earth and Internet browsing are all routine concepts when socialising, researching or even shopping, however these tools are yet to become commonplace in the real estate industry.

“Technology in the real estate industry can be used as an extremely effective tool to inform buyers and sellers. People want to have information at their fingertips, especially when it concerns a major decision or investment such as buying a home,” explains Anton Jansen Van Vuuren, Head of Technology for Harcourts Real Estate (SA).

Although technology has rapidly become a part of our everyday lives, it has been a somewhat slow progression into the real estate industry with many agencies not quite adopting or taking advantage of the technological ‘revolution’ just yet.

“Being linked to an international network…

Most people would never think to consult an unqualified doctor, accountant or lawyer. Why then, when considering that the purchase and sale of a property is one of life’s largest investments, would they consider consulting an unqualified Real Estate Agent?

In the past, formal qualifications in real estate were somewhat overlooked. However, legislation promulgated in July 2008 mandates training for non-principal estate agents to acquire their Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC) in Real Estate on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level four and for principals the National Certificate in Real Estate at level five. Agents registered before the legislation was implemented were given the option to undertake a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process that provides evidence of competency in line with the Act. This move was initiated to prevent unqualified people entering real estate and offering poor advice, thus promoting the protection of consumers and professionalism for the industry.…

If you are thinking of selling your home, then your biggest concern will undoubtedly be to find out how much your property is worth and essentially what the asking price of your most prized possession should be. Personal sentiment combined with historically higher property prices have left many sellers with unrealistic expectations regarding the true value of their home. However, in the current economic climate where the average number of days it takes to sell a property has increased from 30 to 160 days, the house that is valued accurately is the house that ultimately gets sold.

What this means, is that the seller will need to undertake the task of obtaining an accurate valuation of their home in order to determine the potential sale price in the current marketplace. Due to the fact that property valuations can be a complex and difficult process, using an estate agent is highly…

Purchasing a home ranks as the biggest investment that people make. It therefore goes without saying that choosing someone to facilitate the home buying or selling process is a vitally important decision.

A good estate agent really is a specialist professional in their field, and can ultimately influence the outcome of one’s purchase and selling experience either positively or negatively. With so many estate agents around it can be difficult deciding who to choose.

Harcourts Real Estate (SA) Business Development Manager Leonard Fourie, lists credentials, experience and honesty as the three key characteristics to look out for when selecting an estate agent.

“In the past 12 months much has been said about the legitimacy of many real estate agents and, although the process of professionalising this industry is well underway, in the interim buyers and sellers must take it upon themselves to ensure that the agent they intend dealing with…