Developer News

2 min read Identifying potential bottlenecks to your WiFi network, so that you can eliminate them and get back to enjoying fast speeds.

2 min read With Afrihost, building your online presence is quick, easy and affordable

2 min read Generation Z, born into the digital age, is revolutionizing the way property investments are made.

3 min read As the real estate landscape evolves, it’s crucial for property developers and managers to adapt to the changing preferences and demands of Generation Z. This report from Estate Living outlines strategies to cater to Gen Z’s digital, environmental, and social requirements in property development.

4 min read Developers large and small need finance to start their development project – whether they be residential or commercial.

2 min read When looking for a beach lifestyle estate, proximity to the beach is a major contributing factor as to whether or not to invest in a beach estate. In this article, we look at Preekstoel Beach Estate’s incredible surroundings with its majestic mountains in the background, beautiful nature reserves, and pristine beaches.

4 min read Restaurants are one of the increasingly common and popular features on residential estates. Some, like Nooitgedacht Village in Stellenbosch, want to have multiple facilities on site when it comes to foodie pleasures. So, besides restaurants they want to add a deli and coffee shop, for example.

3 min read Community Housing Schemes should as a matter of urgency be making sure that they have a secure water supply system that is independent of the municipal infrastructure. 

4 min read The utilisation of drones with multispectral capabilities thus exemplifies a technologically driven approach to estate management, promoting the sustainability and vibrancy of the natural environment.

3 min read In the face of South Africa’s persistent load shedding crisis, small towns across the country are pioneering solutions to liberate themselves from dependence on Eskom, our only national power supplier.

2 min read Join Estate Living and our expert speakers as we discuss key topics like water resources and infrastructure, security, technology, financing solutions and property requirements for the next generation of investors.

11 min read Residential community associations play a pivotal role in maintaining the aesthetic quality and value of neighbourhoods in South Africa. Architectural and design standards form the foundation of these efforts, ensuring that properties are developed, renovated, and maintained in a manner that enhances the community’s overall visual appeal and property value.

< 1 min read Estate Living was very pleased to host the Mauritius Roadshow in partnership with Bijou Résidence, Harcourts Offshore and Ariston Capital. This exclusive event ran from 12 – 14 March 2024 and offered investors a taste of the Mauritian lifestyle and all its rewards.

2 min read The trends within medical development projects range from virtual healthcare, proactive healthcare approaches, and preventative care to frail care centres in and around residential areas.

3 min read The Section 12J tax allowance has introduced an exciting new asset class that has attracted over R6 billion within a very short period of time. Let’s explore how this can benefit developers.

2 min read We understand that managing the delivery of materials and fixtures from suppliers to construction sites is crucial.

2 min read You’re deep into the empty nest syndrome, with two, three or maybe even four empty bedrooms in your big house, and you want to move somewhere smaller, more manageable.

3 min read Garlicke & Bousfield is a well-known law firm in South Africa. Founded in 1875, it is one of the oldest law firms in the country and has established a reputation for providing high-quality legal services to its clients.

4 min read Artificial Intelligence is the new rave investment trend, and at the forefront of this sector stands NVIDIA Corporation.

4 min read According to Johlene Wasserman, a community scheme specialist from JW Consultancy, the answer largely depends on the rules established by most members within the estate.

3 min read Better standards of living, coupled with advances in medical care and a more active lifestyle has meant people are living for longer. How to deal with an aging population that is expected to jump by as much as 50% in the next 20 years is a major concern for South Africa, as it especially places additional pressure on the supply and quality of housing.

3 min read After more than a decade of load shedding, more South Africans are looking at off grid solutions that allow them to carry on with their daily lives. Alternative power comes with a hefty price tag though, but some banks are now offering a range of funding options to lessen the financial blow. We look at what these are and if they really are worth it. 

2 min read Ditch the old landline and make affordable voice calls to anywhere in the world with Pure VoIP.

2 min read In the exclusive world of luxury estates, Sungrow is poised to make a grand entrance with the upcoming arrival of its Residential Hybrid Three-Phase Inverters SH15T&SH25T. Expected to debut in South Africa by February 2024, this state-of-the-art product is not just a technological innovation, it’s a gateway to a new era of sophisticated smart living, perfectly tailored for the discerning readers of Estate Living.

4 min read With the aim of contributing to revitalising the Bellville CBD, Brönn Properties, under the experienced guidance of Alewyn and Gerdus Brönn, embarked on an ambitious project to refurbish the New Boston Centre.

2 min read Sectional title complexes frequently face challenges related to unauthorized alterations made to common property areas.

4 min read Despite the country’s economic woes and the somewhat lacklustre performance of the housing market, stock shortages are looming in many areas – and not only in those where ongoing semigration has led to a spike in demand.

< 1 min read Estate Living had a business segment with Nzinga Qunta on HOT 102.7 FM. We discussed community schemes and shared insights.

3 min read The current economic climate has taken a toll on people’s finances and mental well-being. Rising interest rates and increased cost of living left individuals struggling to make ends meet.

3 min read As a Scheme Executive, you carry the weighty responsibility of overseeing your sectional title community’s management and upkeep. The decisions you make shape everything from property values and growth potential to residents’ quality of life.

4 min read The local property market will see a resurgence in 2024 predicts Renier Kriek, Managing Director at Sentinel Homes.

6 min read The CSOS was established in terms of the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act, 2011 (Act No 9 of 2011) to regulate the conduct of parties within community schemes.

< 1 min read Estate Living is the leading resource within the residential community. It is a trusted source of information about living in a homeowner association or sectional title development.

4 min read There’s more to offshore investing than money laundering and preserving mega wealth. It’s also about the lifestyle – sitting back with a glass of wine and your little piece of offshore paradise.

5 min read From Transkei to Alaska, round houses have been the norm for centuries – more probably millennia. In fact, it was only with the (in some case quite strong) encouragement of missionaries that Christian converts started to build ‘civilised’ square houses in southern Africa.

3 min read Many serious cooks swear by gas hobs. They’re reliable, incredibly controllable, efficient, cost-efficient and – best of all – they work during load shedding, as long as you have a box of matches nearby. And you can’t beat the aesthetics of a gleaming stainless steel gas hob. But how safe is cooking with gas?

3 min read Food waste, if not composted, is one of the worst contributors to greenhouse gases, as it decomposes into methane. So Tokyo University’s new research into using food waste to make cement offers an innovative way to sequester all that carbon, and – perhaps – create some tasty buildings.

6 min read Whether it’s unlocking your phone or accessing your banking app, facial recognition technology is everywhere. It’s a tool that is rapidly gaining popularity with banks, security companies, law enforcement, retailers and – of course – social media platforms. And, like every tool from a claw hammer to a chainsaw or a steamroller, this tool can be used constructively or destructively. Or, if not actually destructively, at least creepily.

3 min read The plethora of ‘information’ about how colour affects mood has had property managers considering painting their facilities green for calming, or orange to increase food sales. But the relationship between colour and mood is not an exact science, and one person’s happy colour may well make another person positively nauseous – at least when it comes to paint. But available evidence indicates that different coloured light can reliably affect a person’s state of mind.

4 min read Farming estates has become a trend that embraces modern conveniences and security with a simpler, sustainable lifestyle 

2 min read The real estate industry has a significant role to play in water conservation and by embracing new tech it can help foster a culture of responsible water consumption

2 min read The Association of Residential Communities (ARC) has been in existence for over 10 years, with 11 founder members, 10 chapters around the country and over 300 member estates, home to over 200,000 residents and representing 58% of the market in respect of number of homes.

4 min read We’ve always known that the popular Section 12J had an expiry date, but we assumed (hoped) it would be extended. Well, it won’t be. So, if you want to take advantage of it, you had better move very, very fast to get in before the 30 June cut-off. But it’s not all bad news. While 12J is on the way out, Lucky 13sex is still around.

4 min read Last year GroundUp reported how the homes of 15 families on Tilly’s Farm were demolished by Dutch-South African property company MaxxLiving. The Land Claims Court ordered the developer to compensate for this community’s relocation.

3 min read Estate Living sat down with Dandy Matamela, Chairman of the BeMore Group of Companies, to find out more about his development company’s unique approach to developing homes for the rental property market.

3 min read In an era characterised by environmental challenges and an urgent need for sustainable solutions, the role of financial institutions in shaping a positive future cannot be overstated. To steer the country toward a brighter and more sustainable future, it is imperative for South Africa’s fund management companies demonstrate how they are actively investing in companies and funds that promote renewable and sustainable practices.

3 min read As people leave their urban homes in search of safer, more affordable areas with improved service delivery and perhaps less load shedding, the South African property market is experiencing a tectonic shift, with demand surging in areas once considered idyllic but remote.

2 min read The concept of senior living has evolved over the years, with an increasing number of seniors opting for urban living instead of traditional countryside or seaside retirement.

3 min read Pets in estates and complexes always being a bone of contention (pun intended). However, a new trend is emerging where estates are embracing dog ownership and seeing the value in creating an estate that welcomes and provides amenities for owners and their dogs. 

3 min read Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity in South Africa has witnessed significant growth in 2022, driven by higher bandwidth requirements following the pandemic. As a result, Fibre Network Operators (FNOs) have engaged in a price war, but cheap doesn’t always mean cheerful.

3 min read With artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies infiltrating all aspects of our modern life, it is no surprise that these technologies are increasingly being integrated into security systems to improve threat detection, surveillance, and response capabilities.

3 min read The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various industries has been transforming the way we live and work. As the construction sector in South Africa seeks innovative solutions to improve efficiency and productivity, the adoption of AI technologies for building, design, and renovation holds immense potential.

4 min read As the world increasingly seeks sustainable and eco-friendly construction methods, the ancient technique of rammed earth building has re-emerged as a viable option.

4 min read What is the prevalence of helipads and heliport protocols on estates today, and what is best practice when dealing with helicopter traffic in a community-living context?

3 min read Access to capital and funding is one of the largest barriers to entry for any business and in the property development industry this is no different. Financial institutions and investors are often reluctant to provide loans to small businesses without a proven track record or collateral.

3 min read Discover the secrets of the hotel industry’s promotional prowess including brand storytelling, visual appear and influencer collaboration.

3 min read As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, every industry must contribute to sustainable practices.

3 min read Prefab housing does not have a great track record as an affordable option in South Africa. So could IKEA-style flat-pack houses work here like they are in the UK?

5 min read Good news for property buyers, but even better news for property developers and sellers. The affordability ceiling for first-time buyers who qualify for a FLISP subsidy has been increased from the previous average home loan amount of R 680,000.00 to R 870,000.

2 min read As the world embraces renewable energy sources, solar power has emerged as a popular choice for homeowners seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their electricity costs.

3 min read What can developers do to design buildings and spaces that promote engagement between residents? Clever planning can combat loneliness, according to a retirement-market expert

3 min read As the global population continues to age, the prevalence of dementia is increasing. According to Circle Senior Living, 60% of people over the age of 70 experience some kind of memory issues.

3 min read Examining whether the South African construction industry is ready for 3D printing. South Africa’s housing crisis could soon see a much-needed boost from 3D printing technology.

3 min read Examining the reasons why South Africans want to rent more than buy sectional title homes. A combination of financial pressures, changing mindsets and dramatic urbanisation is causing a major shift in the South Africa’s property sector.

3 min read With increasing concerns about the environment and the impact of waste on landfills, pioneering developers recognise the need for responsible waste-management practices

< 1 min read The Estate Living platform focus on all the pillars of the property sector; from development, management, ownership, service providers and potential investors. Estate Living promotes community spirit and the value of the industry for all stakeholders.

< 1 min read It’s inspiring to see how the residential estate industry is constantly adapting to the changing trends. #EstateLivingMagazine offers insight into community living in South Africa and abroad, reaching across the community to share up to date news, opportunities and best practices.

2 min read Commercial banks are reducing their exposure to the commercial property market. So where does this leave developers looking for finance to build their commercial properties? 

2 min read 12J Venture Capital Company investments were launched with much fanfare and hope. The investment vehicle was named after Section 12J of South Africa’s Income Tax Act, which was introduced in 2009.

2 min read The latest property data shows that the decline in sales volumes in estates during 2016 to 2019 saw an uptick in the post covid years and that Estates are currently offering the greatest growth in value in South Africa’s residential property market!

2 min read From architects, interior designers and landscapers to fibre installers, marketing gurus and realtors, an estate manager will inevitably work with several contractors – sometimes several in one single day.

3 min read If you think about the word ‘hemp’ you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a mere botanical plant used for medicinal and recreational purposes. But the reality is that it’s become so much more.

3 min read Managing a residential estate can be a complex and time-consuming task, with a wide range of responsibilities and challenges to navigate. From maintenance and repairs to financial management and communication with residents, there are many different aspects to consider.

3 min read Homeowners living in estates pay a monthly levy towards their community scheme. It covers monthly expenses like management fees, maintenance, insurance and security to name but a few. However, if some owners fail to pay their monthly levy community schemes can’t afford to pay these costs.

3 min read Global supply chains have been disrupted by geopolitical instability, the pandemic, climate change, and a myriad of other reasons. Saint-Gobain experts give their view on when the building industry could see an end to it.

3 min read In a bid to reduce the pressure on Eskom, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a new tax incentive last month, to encourage South African homeowners to invest in clean electricity generation. As part of the new scheme, homeowners who install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels will get a tax rebate of up to 25%.

3 min read There is no doubt that an increasingly pressing concern for homeowners, estate security and property managers is the continual increase in crime. Statistics released in the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey show that 983,000 households in South Africa experienced housebreaking incidences during 2021 and 2022.

3 min read Gap cover is supposed to cover the deficit between your private healthcare professionals’ rates and what cover your medical aid rate covers. Usually, medical aid companies in South Africa at 100%, 200% and 300% but some specialists can charge far more.

3 min read After 200 days of load shedding last year, and not a single day without power cuts since the beginning of 2023, South Africa’s Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are barely surviving.

2 min read In 2003, The City of Cape Town launched two Urban Development Zone tax incentives to entice investors into urban and inner-city renewal projects in the CBD (central business district) area, and the modern suburbs of Belville. We look at what the scheme involves and chat to Paul Nel, Managing Director at WCB Property Developers which participated in it to find out more.

2 min read Earlier this month, Plascon announced its second annual colour combination of the year, this time choosing a trio of related colours, specifically designed to capture simple joie de vivre and in doing so, reflect the mood of 2023. 

2 min read A while ago, we wrote about rental guarantees, and how well they work for off plan purchases and how big they were in the United Kingdom.

2 min read Just like the fashion industry, interior designers have always looked to other countries for décor inspiration. While we want to give you the latest, hottest design trends this can’t be done without a brief history lesson. 

3 min read Aquaponics is a burgeoning industry. It has revolutionised how we grow our own organic food and provided an alternative to many communities. People have introduced the practice of aquaponics into their own homes but, increasingly, it’s being adopted on an event grander scale.

3 min read You probably haven’t heard of Kwelera (don’t worry neither had we) but the small suburb in the Eastern Cape is quite the investor magnet.

3 min read Horse riding has become an increasingly popular sport in South Africa. This trend is partly due to the pandemic. People realised that they wanted more quality of life, a luxury life in the country and sports that complimented it.

< 1 min read Guaranteed more vibrant and richer colours which will compliment any residential estate ensuring great aesthetics and long term value. Consistent roof colour across the development delivering great value for money for developers and investors alike.

3 min read What do you do when you’re seeing an increase in digital nomads, staycationers and business travellers as clientele? You cater to them by giving them exactly what they want, a place to stay – but only for a little while, with no big strings attached.

3 min read In a recent Property24 feature, Seeff agents in Oudtshoorn, Calvinia, Middelburg and Harrismith expand on the benefits of living in smaller towns reporting that up to a quarter of buyers relocating to these towns hail from the main centres of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

3 min read The true value of quality landscaping should never be underestimated. Done well, and it can save you huge amounts of time and money as well as do wonders your estate’s aesthetic and even be kinder to the environment. But not all contractors charge the same price – so how do you ensure your chosen landscaper meets your requirements.

5 min read As the country continues to experience the untenable rising cost of power and ongoing load shedding, more and more residents are turning to solar power for their energy generation.

2 min read The pandemic has changed people’s lifestyle needs and priorities considerably.

3 min read The South African Property Owners’ Association (SAPOA), the country’s biggest property organisation, has been locked in a legal battle with the City of Johannesburg over their Development Contributions Policy. We take a deeper look at what is causing such furore.

2 min read Supply chain problems have plagued all industries and companies (large and small). The construction and development industry in South Africa is no exception.

3 min read Not many of today’s Millennial and Gen Z clan members will be familiar with the term ‘Baby Boomers’, or realise that they may share common traits with that generation and era in (especially, but not exclusively) American history. The moniker applies to people born between 1946 and 1964, and apart from their urge to people the planet, Baby Boomers were also known to choose the “burbs in pursuit of an ideal lifestyle”.

3 min read Guarantees are major selling points for coatings systems, especially when investing a substantial amount into a property portfolio. Plascon has high performance paint systems (primer, undercoat and topcoat) that are fit-for-purpose and designed specifically for the trade professionals, from architectural and construction teams through to estate facilities managers.

4 min read Mention the name ‘Plascon’ to do-it-yourself enthusiasts and paint contractors and the association is invariably one of uncompromised quality and performance, reflected in superior application intrinsics and exceptional durability. It’s a perception that is based strongly on reality, as evidenced by the superior spreading and obliteration capabilities exhibited by Plascon’s paint products, not to mention the longer anticipated lifecycle of the finished coating. And industry-leading guarantees!

3 min read On 28 February 2020, Johannesburg woke up to a new city map: one based on the Nodal Review, which had passed a council vote the day before. The Nodal Review, which aims to deliver on the City of Johannesburg’s Spatial Development Framework, could have far-reaching impacts for residents and property developers.

2 min read The new Preekstoel Beach Estate is considered not just a lifestyle investment but also an opportunity for a rental or capital return. This makes the sleepy seaside town of Stilbaai such a valuable investment option. From Stilbaai’s safety and security to its attractive beachside holidays, we address the increase in demand for properties to let, and look at Preekstoel Beach Estate’s value proposition.

10 min read With more than 140 countries and regions committed to carbon neutrality, Huawei actively supports and participates in climate action while accelerating the adoption of green energy through continuous technological innovation, helping countries achieve their carbon neutral goals. In response to the environmental policies in Europe, Huawei continues to innovate and collaborate with local partners to provide clean energy for low-carbon development, enabling a smarter, greener, and better life for people in the region.

4 min read Interest rates have gone up several times in the last few months as the Reserve Bank tries to minimize the impacts of inflation. The Reserve Bank meets six times a year to try and manage inflation, which in South Africa currently stands at 7.6%.

< 1 min read The Estate Living Western Cape Property Development and Investment Event, was a great success with over 100 delegate participating in the morning. The focus of the event is to create a platform where information and insight, affecting the property development and investment industry, can be shared for industry growth. Estate Living invites leaders within the relevant sectors to discuss innovation, opportunity and collaboration.

3 min read Population numbers in the world’s largest cities have been steadily increasing and this has put pressure on governments and developers alike to find housing solutions. South Africa is no exception, with population increasing in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban by 1.93%%, 2.33% and 0.72% in from 2021 to 2022, according to macrotrends.net.

3 min read Mixed-use developments are a growing trend in the residential property development market because they reduce travel time for residents and offer convenience, choice and an integrated lifestyle. Find out more from those showcasing the latest of these projects.

3 min read You may have heard that it’s possible to buy land in the Metaverse using open source blockchain Ethereum. Apparently rapper Snoop Dog and companies like PwC, JP Morgan, HSBC and Samsung have all got into the action.

3 min read It was supposed to be South Africa’s own version of Silicon Valley, with Hollywood like facilities, as well as hotel and residential accommodation and commercial buildings.

3 min read The decoration of restaurants, clubhouses and other shared, communal spaces on estates is often a pulling factor for guests. An attractive space is more likely to be used or hired more frequently. What’s more, the colours chosen for these spaces will have an effect on those who visit, making colour choice an important decision.

2 min read If your kids have flown the nest or you’re looking for a safer place to live, you’re probably considering downsizing. With all the appeals of downsizing — like saving money, reducing clutter and less maintenance —you may still be worried about your living spaces looking and feeling small. Luckily, there are tricks of the design trade that can make smaller rooms bigger.

3 min read Building properties, especially upmarket ones, in townships has been an unattractive proposition for developers for many years. This is because crime, poverty and lack of affordability among potential homeowners has always been a concern in these areas.

3 min read Estate Living explores whether developers should expand into the aparthotel market. How appealing is this offering, and will we see more of them? Two experts share views of interest to potential property investors

3 min read Who can up-and-coming developers turn to when finding their feet in this challenging sector?

4 min read Having sat down with Juanita Clark to discuss the digital landscape in South Africa, it is clear that she is exactly the kind of person the country needs to galvanise us into an inclusive Fourth Industrial Revolution economy.

2 min read Through our extensive range of connectivity products and services, Clear Access is able to meet the needs of developers across the spectrum.

3 min read People buying new homes will have certain expectations, and these include being able to enjoy the best of their modern city lifestyle.  

2 min read When it comes to building maintenance, it’s often best to take a preventive – rather than a corrective – approach. Here’s a look at the logic of not allowing things to get totally out of hand before you spring into action.

3 min read Government has three new smart-city projects in the pipeline, but some developers claim that they’ve already pioneered this trend. We explain the concept in a nutshell, and provide good reasons for developers to take note and act.

< 1 min read Nestled in the Magaliesberg Mountain range, close to the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West, Xanadu Nature Estate offers the perfect location for communal living in the tranquility of nature. Located within a 45 minutes drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, the estate is set on 240 hectares of beautiful indigenous bushveld, with a natural wetland, and is home to 280 different species of birds and many animals.

3 min read A greater demand for quality, purpose-built rental accommodation, especially among young professionals and the over 50s has raised the need for alternative development models like buy to rent. It is a burgeoning sector in places like the UK where more than R50 million has already been invested.

3 min read The second quarter of the 2022 FNB Commercial Property Broker survey has been published and a key highlight reveals that two out of three major commercial property sectors – office and retail – are showing declines of market sales activity levels.

2 min read Having a social media presence is a non-negotiable for any brand or business these days, and estates are no exception. The reality is that if you’re not on social media, you are losing out on selling the lifestyle elements and amenities of your estate to a captive audience – which leaves them wide open to your competitors. Effectively leveraging social media isn’t easy though.

3 min read A palette of vibrant shades is swaying contemporary developers to change their usual modus operandi when it comes to defining estate palettes; usually, this is to opt for beige, peach, white or grey. This bold change in approach is likely due to the effect of surrounding colour on our mental well-being.

3 min read The price of Bitcoin recently dropped below $20,000 (R318,366) – its lowest level since November 2020. It’s not only the most famous coin that’s lost some value as other digital currencies have seen their value reach zero.

3 min read A strategy that gives you the ability to maintain the lifestyle you want, while allowing you to launch your investment trajectory, seems like a great way to start building a property portfolio.

3 min read You’re fresh back from a magnificent holiday, and now the bug won’t stop biting: You’ve simply got to invest in Mauritius… if not relocating for good. But is this a sensible move, especially if deals may have to be clinched over a fair stretch of Indian Ocean?

3 min read Which provinces or towns are popular among first-time home buyers, and what can developers do to mine and appease this lucrative market?

3 min read South African developers have been converting unused commercial spaces into residential units for quite some time now. However, according to Joff van Reenen, founding partner and lead auctioneer of specialist real estate auction company High Street Auctions, things are becoming a real challenge for developers and city planners post pandemic.

3 min read Winter may not be everyone’s favourite time of year, but that’s not to say the colder days can’t be endured with a more positive outlook.

4 min read A company in the United Kingdom called TallyMoney is understood to be the first employer in the country to pay their staff in gold rather than pounds and pence to help them stay ahead of inflation.

3 min read We chat with reputational managers to get some tips and tricks to tackle a bad reputation. Know what makes a good reputation, and what doesn’t.

5 min read Ageing and retirement can be considered a rite of passage, in the same way that graduating, getting your first job, or buying your first house are. But what makes retirement and ageing different is that they are about letting go, and many people let go reluctantly.

3 min read There’s plenty of noise in the news about getting to ‘netzero’ by 2050. It’s effectively the world’s ambition to achieve a balance between the carbon emitted into the atmosphere and the carbon removed from it.

2 min read The company offers its most discerning customers a unique variety of vehicles that combine exclusivity with superior driving experience. The new edition of the BMW 8 Series provides a particularly emotional boost for the brand’s current model offensive in the segment.

3 min read Experts use colours to evoke certain emotions. Colour is heavily used by marketing and branding specialists, but the principles apply just as much to property developments. We get some invaluable advice from South Africa’s paint experts.

< 1 min read Colas South Africa (Pty) Ltd is a specialist manufacturer and applicator of bituminous binders and slurries for road surfacing. With a range of products and solutions developed for the maintance of residential estates roads and construction of new roads within developments. As leaders in the sector, they understand and address the needs of community living spaces.

3 min read A recent report by FNB points to the prospect of slowdown in building growth, with fresh data from StatsSA supporting its insights.

3 min read Buying a property on a residential estate for the can be a minefield for the first-time buyer. They’re bound to ask a lot of questions of estate managers and other experts to put their mind at ease.

3 min read If you’re keen on a getaway to combat the winter blues, here’s our pick of some of the best local and SADC (South African Development and Economic Community) holiday destinations.

3 min read In a bid to reduce energy costs, the UK government last month, announced that it has scrapped VAT on energy-saving materials like solar panels, insulation, and heat pumps for the next five years. Could something similar work in South Africa?

3 min read There is a substantial hike – from 39% in 2019 to 43% in 2021 – in the number of homeowners leaving Gauteng.

3 min read Research released by Lightstone Property during the pandemic shows that, over a five-year period (between 2015 and 2020), single female first-time property buyers have outnumbered male buyers, as well as married couples.

3 min read Streaming service Disney+ will launch in South Africa next month on the 18 May and is set to rival Netflix and DStv.

< 1 min read Estate Living is a consortium of businesses that focusses on the value of residential community living within South Africa and abroad. Estate Living’s audience and subscribers consists of investors, community management, homeowners and residents, and property developers.

3 min read Unconventional towns have suddenly become cool. Young buyers are finding properties in non-metro towns financially attractive. They want to take advantage of lower prices and enjoy the medium- to long-term growth that investing in property in these towns brings. What’s more, they’re also keen to benefit from the lifestyle that’s on offer – clean air, country living and a laid-back lifestyle.

3 min read Domestic animals must live by these rules In terms of the constitution of Kingswood Golf Estate’s Homeowners Association and its House Rules, as amended in February 2021, animals and their keepers are bound by a reasonable list of do’s and dont’s.

3 min read Out of home (OOH) advertising (also referred to as outdoor advertising) is advertising that consumers may come across outside of their home. It includes billboards, posters and wallscapes.

3 min read Now that COVID-19 has changed in status from a pandemic to an endemic, many are reflecting on how they coped financially and spiritually when the disease was at its worst.

3 min read Walking through Xanadu Nature Estate and meeting its residents, you quickly realise that it has become the ideal ‘work-from-home’ location. This is not because residents working in Johannesburg and Pretoria are choosing not to make the 45-minute drive to the city, but rather because families are relocating from other parts of South Africa, like Cape Town and Durban, to create their home in Xanadu Nature Estate.

3 min read Dancing on the fringes of Hillcrest in KwaZulu-Natal, Cotswold Downs is the place to enjoy gorgeous views of the rolling hills and indigenous forest, world-class golfing, spectacular birdlife, and free-roaming antelope – all from the comfort of your home.

3 min read Did you know that someone is defrauded online every 32 seconds? According to Sharon Knowles from Da Vinci Forensics, residential estates are prime pickings for scammers.  

3 min read Survival of our planet lies in alternatives to conventional energy generation, which relies on coal, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear technology. But when focussing on property developers, what proportion seriously considers solar power and other renewable energy sources as prevailing standard?

3 min read They may be small, but they are the solution to the demand for more accommodation in tight spaces, particularly within city CBDs (central business districts). There are many names for them including ‘tiny homes’, ‘apodments’, ‘micro units’, ‘micro flats’, ‘nano units’ and so on.

3 min read Makers Landing is a food emporium with a twist. Situated at E Berth next to the new Cape Town Cruise Terminal at the V&A Waterfront, it is withing walking distance from the Silo District and a quick water taxi trip from the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

3 min read Cannabis is in the spotlight yet again as cultivation regulations are revised by South African lawmakers. For growers, possibilities to plant weed for personal and medicinal use seem legion. But will relaxed rules have a bearing on estate managers and residents, and what are sentiments on this practice within estate gardens?

3 min read Female representation in the property sector is a multifaceted topic, as the property sector consists of many moving parts that revolve around the life cycle of a property – from the concept and architectural designs all the way to the delivery of the property, property sales, property management, and the services required to run and maintain a property.

4 min read The new South Africa was in its infancy when Golf Digest magazine started ranking the country’s best courses back in 1998. Adjudicators strive to rate candidates objectively, enabling a panel of knowledgeable reviewers to democratically decide on which courses to include in the coveted Top 100 list.

3 min read Few could predict the impact of Covid-19 and it’s reach throughout every sector, population, and country. It has caused the rise and collapse of many businesses and the construction industry has not been the exception to this.

3 min read Do you suddenly have extra disposable income through perhaps no longer paying for things like school fees, student loans or your mortgage? If so, should you spend it or invest it?

3 min read The cost-of-living crisis is unfortunately not showing any signs of letting up. Fuel and energy prices are soaring, a basket of groceries costs a lot more and if 2021 is anything to go by, then rent is likely to increase too.  

< 1 min read Estate Living is now available to read directly from your Residential Community App powered by Glovent. Easy to access directly from the ‘Lifestyle & Wellness’ Botton on your homepage . You can how read and watch a wide range of community relevant information and insight directly from you residential community app.

2 min read Women in Sectional Title (WiST) is a platform that focuses on connecting, supporting and uplifting women in the sectional title industry with the aim of uniting them in a vibrant and collaborative community.

3 min read You’d be forgiven for thinking that water features are a financial boon given that properties on waterside estates like Thesen Island in Knysna tend to fetch higher asking prices and rental income than ones that don’t.

3 min read The global shift to remote working has amplified demand for fibre services over the last few months, and developments with the best connectivity are likely to be the most attractive to tomorrow’s buyer.

2 min read Building success as a property developer is often about balancing the amazing possibilities of a new project with the inherent risks. And mitigating those risks starts with a proactive assessment of your insurance solutions. While standard Contractors All Risk Insurance provides substantial cover, there are a few optional add-ons that could make your risk management solutions more watertight.

3 min read A home renovation can be exciting, but it can also be a stressful process because there’s a myriad of things that could go wrong, especially if you hire the wrong builder.

4 min read Few things have a greater impact on the economy than an interest rate hike or cut. A hike is often welcomed by savers, especially if that is passed on by the banks via their savings products but it’s equally frowned upon by those of us in debt as it makes borrowing more expensive.

4 min read Luxury Residences By The Sea In Mauritius – Azuri Ocean & Golf Village, a place of island elegance and serenity, to live truly and safely your dream of a tropical lifestyle. Since its inception eight years ago on a large estate in the North of Mauritius, Azuri has metamorphosed into a vibrant and tight-knit community.

3 min read Bloomberg recently reported that South Africa’s unemployment rate, which includes people who have stopped looking for work, rose to 44.4 percent in the second quarter, 2021. It also pointed out that the country’s unemployment rate surged to the highest on a global list of 82 countries it monitors.

2 min read We all know that roofs take a beating from the sun, and especially so here in sunny SA! And summer 2022 has been marked by record temperature highs. With heat soaring up to 45 degrees in parts of the country, it has been near impossible to be outdoors at midday and stifling to remain inside.

3 min read Johannesburg matriculant Sazi Bongwe has secured admission to Harvard University for the 2022 academic year, which kicks off in August. The eighteen-year-old, who was Head of School at St. John’s College in 2021, achieved nine distinctions in his final matric exams, with an average of 95.9% – in addition to building an impressive extracurricular portfolio throughout his school career. For high school students with dreams of studying at a top university abroad, Sazi’s journey is a masterclass in standing out to admissions officers.

3 min read Four vital pieces of legislation, set to be introduced this year, is sure to affect South Africans.

3 min read January can be a rather depressing month. It is often dubbed ‘Janu-worry’. This is because most of us typically worry about our finances after spending too much during the festive season.

3 min read So, 2021 one has come and gone, but the trends that have affected the commercial property sector last year will no doubt trickle through 2022 as well. We are, after all, still in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic, although it has recently produced what many feel is a weaker variant.

2 min read Openserve has redefined the broadband experience for customers with the introduction of their Connect App.

2 min read Despite the uncertainty of the past 18 months, Sitari Country Estate continues to take form in the Helderberg basin, and 2022 promises to be even bigger and better.

4 min read The tourism industry in George, as in many holiday destinations across South Africa and the world, has suffered greatly since the first COVID-19 lockdowns came into effect at the end of March 2020. The local tourism office falls under George Municipality and we tracked down the town’s tourism manager, Joan Shaw, who shared data collated over the past year, as well as a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2022.

2 min read When it was announced in November that South Africa had concluded a historic agreement to secure R131 billion for the country’s transition to a low carbon economy, the news was celebrated in international environmental circles. On a national level, estate managers and developers can contribute by building green and maintaining planet-friendly standards.

5 min read Beko is the international home appliance brand of Arçelik operating in more than 140 countries. It offers product lines that include major appliances, air conditioners and small appliances. Beko is the leading freestanding home appliances brand in Europe in the white goods sector and no.1 large home appliances brand in the UK. The brand is Main Partner of FC Barcelona, naming partner of Fenerbahçe Men’s Basketball Team and Official Supplier of European League of Legends Championship (LEC).

3 min read Imagine being able to reduce your carbon footprint, and give your family 99% protection from bacteria and viruses – including COVID-19 – simply by turning on your washing machine or tumble dryer?

3 min read Environmentally conscious consumers in South Africa will soon be able to choose from among the world’s most sustainable appliances when Beko, as a brand under the Arçelik umbrella in South Africa after Defy and Grundig., launches its home appliance range with stand-alone stores in Johannesburg and Durban.

2 min read Most retirement homes have strict rules about keeping pets. But now there’s one retirement village that’s going against this status quo and allowing pensioners to keep their furry friends with them in retirement.

2 min read Many countries have shut their doors to South Arica following the discovery of the Omicron coronavirus variant in November and foreign visitors have all but vanished over the usually busy summer.

2 min read According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution is one of the biggest threats to human health after climate change. Using the latest clean air technology not only keeps employees healthy and lowers absenteeism, but it also appeals to increasingly healthy and lifestyle conscious residents.

2 min read When researching technologies during the pre-construction phase, developers must consider the importance of building for a tech-driven society. During such research, one concept will underly most every alternative: fibre!

2 min read During the third quarter of this year, the Western Cape Government was finalising a draft policy to address affordable housing. Billed as ‘ground-breaking’, its Inclusionary Housing Policy Framework (IHPF) tackles the consequences of ‘apartheid spatial planning’ – and developers form an integral part of the plan.

3 min read Market falls don’t come along often, but when they do they could affect our pensions and fund investments, and rattle us into thinking we need to preserve our money in cash-based investments – at least until it’s all over.

2 min read Caleo Capital is a global boutique investment management firm, with a strong focus on the principles that one would associate with a family office. The business prides itself on being fiercely independent, which means they provide unique, tailor-made advice to their clients.

4 min read Spanning 13 years, South Africans have lived with the spectre of load shedding, due to ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure. According to a report released by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in August, South Africa experienced 650 hours of load shedding in the first half of 2021, shedding an estimated 963GWh of energy. This represents 76% of the total load shedding experienced in 2020.

3 min read According to one Cape Town-based landscaper, Rose Buchanan, investing in and renovating your outdoor space can increase a property’s value by up to 20%.

2 min read Big or small, it is important for a business to look after its people – after all, they are your company’s most important asset.

2 min read If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and Pretoria, then take a 45-minute drive to North West, and you will soon stumble upon the majestic Magaliesburg Mountains and, nestled within them, the Xanadu Nature Estate.

3 min read Is Steyn City the most enviable address in Gauteng? Several local and international accolades indicate that this may well be the case.

3 min read Once considered futuristic, smart homes and offices are now a reality. We never seem to have enough new tech, with products added daily to improve efficiency and convenience.

3 min read It’s understandable that many developers want to create high-end retirement homes aimed at wealthy boomers – it’s a very lucrative undertaking, after all. While there’s a market for that, it’s important not to lose sight of what pensioners on lower incomes may need when it comes to housing.

3 min read Activists have long called for the construction industry to ditch concrete. Back in 2019, there were calls at the Architecture of Emergency climate summit to stop using this building material because the four billion tons of cement produced each year account for 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

3 min read Bad debt can often lead people to make snap decisions – often these are the wrong decisions. Some are so desperate to get out of debt that they will consider anything that could help bail them out quickly.

3 min read Developments in sewerage management are making a positive impact on estate infrastructure and expenses – other than the obvious use of irrigation on golf courses. This tech lightens the load on bulk services provided by municipalities and, in turn, minimises augmentation fees payable by developers to local authorities. 

4 min read In January, the Government Printing Works (GPW) published its last Tender Bulletin before announcing that the GPW was experiencing technical difficulties.

3 min read There are lots of desirable properties that grace the shoreline of Mauritius with the most pristine beach views and glorious sunsets that can be enjoyed with favourite sundowners.

3 min read The typical budget of an estate, whether bottom up or top down, can be anything upwards of R5 million and is often a very stressful juggling act for estate managers.

2 min read The remote working revolution came with its fair share of benefits. As well reducing a business’s costs for water, electricity and in some cases even rent, the working-from -home model has also helped to combat some longstanding concerns regarding outsourcing.

2 min read Leading international recruitment firm, Michael Page, has just released their Mauritius Salary Guide and Hiring Insights research for 2022. In it, the recruiter focuses on several sectors including engineering, property, and construction to name but a few.

2 min read Technology is constantly evolving, new trends emerge and what works today, might not be useful in the next decade. As technology needs change over time, it is important for real estate developers to make room for technology advancements, by futureproofing their developments to create a quality living experience for residents.

2 min read Cable theft is a form of organised crime that has had a significant impact on businesses, communities, and the economy. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimates that cable theft costs the SA economy between R5bn to R7bn a year.

2 min read The realisation that you’re under insured for your home contents usually happens too late. Often, it’s during the claims stage when you need to replace an item (or many items) and the insurance pay out isn’t quite as much as you thought it would be. It’s easy to get angry, but the truth is that this is within your control. After all, insurers only know what you tell them.

2 min read Few will dispute that buying a home is an emotional time. It’s near impossible not to get caught up in the excitement of it all, which understandably has you racing through the mountain of paperwork, just to get those keys in your hands as soon as possible.

3 min read The timing is perfect to put a plan in place for you and your family to secure a Plan B. Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.

2 min read Founded over 17 years ago by Philippe and Frederique de Beer and their brother-in-law Brian Blatch, Park Lane Properties has developed a very solid reputation as a real estate expert on the island. This 100% Mauritian brand with global reach has become a point of reference in terms of real estate and has become synonymous with expertise, integrity and trusted advice.

3 min read Whether you’re into short-term staying or long-term living in Mauritius, this is where memories are made.

2 min read With its rich history and a mix of various cultural traditions, Mauritius is a privileged country in which to live. An attractive and thriving place for business, with an incomparable quality of life, Mauritius is home to the citizen of the world.

2 min read The ‘Eco’ in the estate’s name was conceptualised by the developer, who envisioned restoring a sugar-cane farm to the biodiversity and natural beauty of the KwaZulu-Natal coastal region.

3 min read Steyn City’s Ultimate Helistop was recently hailed as a first for residential developments in South Africa. Introduced to the market in 2015, the 900-hectare luxury private estate is located close to Lanseria in Joburg, and the largest in the country in terms of land size.

3 min read Noise, a blatant disregard for the rules, too many people, and a disruption to the ‘community feel’ is just a few of the many reasons why residents on family estates are against short term rentals.

3 min read It’s a good time to sell because people are feeling bullish about taking on a home loan. ‘The favourable lending conditions have encouraged more first-home buyers to enter the market, accounting for 60% of BetterBond applications for the 12 months ending September 2021.

3 min read Every year InterNations runs The Expat Insider survey, polling countries according to scores given by expats.

3 min read For South Africa to meet its target of vaccinating 70% of its population by December, more than half of all adults need to have had their first shot by — well now — end October.

< 1 min read The GLOVent CMS 4IR is packaged in a core solution, with integrated specialised modules, combining to form a total integrated Community Management System. One of the newest specialised modules is the Utility Management Module. The GLO CMS Utility Module integrates water, electricity and/or gas readings in near real-time directly in our GLO CMS Admin Portal and Member Application.

3 min read The focus when it came to building residential estates ten or 20 years ago was security. While security was and is as priority now, and rightly so, there’s a lot more that developers and estate managers need to focus on to cater to the demands of a modern-day South African family.

3 min read In the United Kingdom construction salaries advertised by employers have soared 6.7% in the space of just five months, according to new data by jobs site, Indeed. Here, employer demand for workers is outstripping the number of candidates, which is why salaries are being pushed up.

3 min read Plettenberg Bay rates right up there with the most sought-after property markets along the Atlantic Seaboard and in Gauteng. Its property market is booming, with high demand for houses and semigration driving the increases. Record sales have been recorded since the lifting of the Covid-19 lockdown in June last year.

3 min read Making a good impression is key in a residential estate market. An outdoor area is often the first impression potential buyers or visitors have of your estate. Buyers want to see clean and well-maintained landscapes that celebrate the local flora and fauna.

< 1 min read Estate Living and Kevin Shames Director at Bright Light Solar discusses Bright Light Solars process and offering for developers at the onset of the development process, which includes securing all the regulatory requirements for the renewable energy products supplied.

3 min read After taking the helm of the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) in April, Boyce Mkhize started to make some big changes. We spoke to him about his first few months in office and his plans for 2022.

3 min read Riots, like the ones experienced in July, may have been preventable if developers did more to address socio-economic issues in South Africa.

3 min read Residential developments can cost millions of rands to build. But raising the money can be a challenge, especially when it comes to pitching the concept to prospective lenders.

2 min read In May this year we explored whether banks would accept bitcoin as deposits when people applied for home loans. Sadly, banks are nowhere near accepting cryptocurrency.

3 min read South Africa needs to build 2.1 million homes in the next five years if the government is to meet its own target of providing affordable housing for 12.5 million citizens by 2030. The monumental task has been made worse by the pandemic, which has plunged even more people into poverty and pushed up the cost of conventional building materials like bricks and cement exponentially.

3 min read We’re seeing the effects of climate change daily across the world. There’s uncontrollable fires such as the ones currently raging in Greece, extreme heat, and flash floods to name but a few related incidents.

3 min read Encouraging the youth to commit to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects is a challenge. This has created a skills shortage, particularly in the technically trained professions. South Africa also struggles with an unemployment crisis where half of young people are unemployed.

3 min read Recent legal developments are affecting estates and homeowners – who are only allowed to produce a percentage of alternative energy on site in relation to bulk municipal electricity supplied – in many ways, depending on local municipal bylaws. The onus is thus on developers to stay abreast of criteria and duly inform potential buyers.

3 min read When it comes to investing in property abroad, investors and developers have a smorgasbord of choice available to them. Overseas property investments are particularly attractive, given the current talk of a worldwide property boom, claims of better capital growth and higher rental yields.

3 min read There’s a big demand from people to reconnect with nature and many are keen to leave the big city life and have homes build close to it. But being close to nature comes with its own perils.

3 min read According to Afrisam, the cement industry in South Africa produces approximately 20 million tons of cement a year. In 2019 the total demand for cement in South Africa was about 13 million tons but that dropped significantly last year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

3 min read The demand for eco-friendly homes presents a unique opportunity to leap into a low carbon and resource-efficient future by building responsibly, incorporating energy efficient design and construction strategies.

5 min read Microfarms probably won’t solve world hunger, but it wouldn’t be far from the truth to say that they may be the best candidate for that honour. And, while it’s unlikely that many people living in residential estates are starving, it’s almost certain that most can benefit from more fresh veggies – and from fresher veggies.

4 min read If you live – or are planning a development – in one of the drier parts of the country, you are faced with some serious gardening and landscaping challenges. But you’re not the first person to have to deal with little or no water and hot, dry winds that shrivel up every little hopeful green shoot. Many landscapers have very successfully created dramatic xeriscapes of intriguing hard elements and extremely hardy plants.

4 min read An international study says around half of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) want to buy at least one luxury home in the next 12 months, and that South Africa is one country that they’re considering.

3 min read Researchers in Sweden have succeeded in making a sustainable, renewable transparent wood that is strong enough to use as a structural element. It will be a while before it is widely available, but it has the potential to profoundly affect the construction industry.

4 min read A picture perfect tropical island with crystal-clear turquoise waters lapping golden beaches, Mauritius ticks all the boxes for a beach and watersports holiday. The snorkelling is fantastic, but to really appreciate life beneath the shimmering ocean surface, you need to scuba dive.

4 min read Until recently, most new developments had a tourism component, but some developers started rethinking that since Covid hit our shores. But perhaps it’s more a matter of tweaking your offerings to appeal to a new type of ‘tourist’ – the digital nomad.

3 min read The design of the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library is a truly African interpretation of Mbeki’s concept of African Renaissance, and a wonderful example of the place- and culture-specific style of award-winning architect David Adjaye.

5 min read Think Mauritius and the images that spring to mind are probably of lazing on white sand beaches, swimming in the turquoise waters of the shallow lagoon, and sipping cocktails while watching spectacular sunsets. But there are plenty of active adventures in this tropical paradise.

2 min read The South African Bureau of Standards has updated the national standard on fire alarm systems, in a move that could have far-reaching consequences for residential estates.

2 min read The various things that we’ve all said about Eskom (especially after bashing our shins in the dark) are not printable. Let’s face it. We are all – well – tired of what has become an asymmetrical relationship in which one side fails to deliver on promises. But we feel that we’re stuck in what is becoming an increasingly toxic relationship. So it is with great interest that we anticipate the City of Durban’s imminent divorce from the power (non-) provider.

3 min read Whether it’s just as a back-up for when Eskom throws a wobbly, or whether it’s a serious commitment to using renewable energy, storage is almost always the constraining factor. So incorporating a rechargeable battery in the actual cement structure of a building sounds like a great idea.

4 min read Nobody is perfect, and no system is perfect, so we just have to do the best we can, and hope that it is good enough. But how good is ‘good enough’? Or how bad do things have to be before they are not ‘good enough’? And is this culture of ‘good enough’ wise? It’s certainly expedient but, if we trawl through the news headlines, we can find many instances of when ‘good enough’ was not good enough.

< 1 min read Last year we wrote about an interesting UK-based startup that had designed a system to store electricity by raising heavy weights during low demand (or bright sunshine), and releasing them into mineshafts when needed. Seemed like a great idea – and now they are crowdfunding to build a prototype.

3 min read Gardens serve many purposes – decoration, food production, and even status symbols. But gardens can be so much more. Depending on what – and how – you plant, your garden can increase or decrease your risk of fire (and many other things, but let’s stick with fire).

4 min read We are all familiar with the sweets and snacks in the checkout queues of supermarkets. And we have all carefully averted our eyes from them, or – somewhat more difficult – tried to distract our children from them. This is just one – and possibly the most graphic – example of how we as humans (and especially as consumers) are nudged into ‘desirable’ decisions daily. But who decides what is ‘desirable’?

3 min read As low-lying coastal homes are threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather events, some landowners and governments are proposing proactive action. While others, of course, bury their heads in the sand, hoping against all logic to defy the tides in an ironic twist of the story of King Canute.

4 min read What is the lesson we take home as we count the cost, and to try to reconstruct, after this last in a series of devastating fires? We need to think – not just about how we deal with the aftermath, or even how we deal with the actual fires – but how we prevent them from happening again. And, for those of us responsible for large tracts of land, like estates, it’s not just an academic exercise.

4 min read When the government recently published a new proposed list of critical skills, or high-demand occupations, which would make it easier for certain foreign workers to get visas to work and live in South Africa, ‘project manager’ was a recurring theme across industries. Construction – which has suffered a severe project management skills shortage for years – emerged as a particular problem area.

3 min read We are all tired of restrictions, and many of us are aching to attend football matches, mega-church services or raves, and we all want the tourism industry to recover – both so that our economy can recover, and so that we can head off somewhere exotic to destress. We long for ‘normality’. So we are lining up for vaccinations and hoping that they (and the proof thereof) will fix the world and bring everything back to the way it was. But is a vaccine – and a ‘vaccine passport’ – the panacea it’s made out to be, or will it prove to be a two-edged sword with some unexpected consequences?

3 min read The Traditional Courts Bill is lurching its way through Parliament, amid howls of protest – mostly, ironically, from the very people it’s intended to protect. What is the Bill, and what do we need to know about it?

7 min read Most of us work because we have to, not because we want to. But New Work, as defined by Frithjof Bergmann, is work that we do because we want to – because it enriches our lives, not just our bank balances. Until recently, it’s only been artists, hippies and new-age hunter-gatherers who have managed to step off the conspicuous consumption–conspicuous busyness roller coaster, and just live. But, with new technology and an open mind, this option is open to more of us. Maybe it will, one day soon, become the new normal.

4 min read When wildfires swept through the hills near Santa Cruz, California, in 2020, they released toxic chemicals into the water supplies of at least two communities. One sample found benzene, a carcinogen, at 40 times the state’s drinking water standard.

2 min read Since the outbreak of COVID-19 last year, Mauritius has upheld the sanitary safety of Mauritian nationals and that of visitors as a topmost priority. The island nation has been widely recognised as exercising one of the best responses to the pandemic – a strategy that has resulted in a surprisingly low incidence of the disease.

3 min read Before starting projects in areas with ageing municipal infrastructure, developers should beware of the indirect – or, in some cases, direct – costs.

4 min read Whatever your field, whether you are project managing a multibillion-rand development, overseeing the security on a small estate, getting the kids to school on time, or running a large hospital, you need to manage risk, minimise accidents, and ensure the smooth flow of a number of related tasks. We all have different ways of ensuring that this happens, but one brilliant model is as simple as a slice of cheese – or, more accurately, a lot of slices of cheese.

3 min read The Palari Group, in conjunction with Mighty Buildings, is planning the world’s first zero net energy, 3D-printed residential estate in Rancho Mirage, California, USA. It will be a small, low-density, upmarket estate but, perhaps, the ease, speed, efficiency and sustainability of the construction process may lend itself to rapid deployment of affordable housing. Or not.

3 min read You may have noticed that we’ve all been using the internet a lot more than we used to. The global shifts towards remote working, online learning, cloud-based business operations and streaming entertainment – all of which were gathering steam before 2020 happened – have been propelled forward by the local lockdowns of COVID-19. That spells opportunity for developers who can meet the growing demand for South Africa’s internet backbone infrastructure needs.

5 min read Unless you’ve been living under a rock with no internet or cell reception, you will have been bombarded with cute, adorable, clever tiny house ideas. But is there any place for the tiny house movement here in South Africa, where most of the population live in ‘houses’ that would make a tiny house seem uber-luxurious? Perhaps the most important thing the tiny house movement can do is to get people to rethink what is necessary, and what is possible. And that’s just what any smart developer should be doing.

3 min read We are all aware that we need to do an environmental impact assessment before we embark on any large- scale (or sometimes even small-scale) endeavour like mining, new building, landscaping – even farming.

6 min read What does genuine economic progress look like? The orthodox answer is that a bigger economy is always better, but this idea is increasingly strained by the knowledge that, on a finite planet, the economy can’t grow for ever, and academics, economists and activists have, for decades, been exploring ways of moving beyond growth economics and towards a ‘steady-state’ economy.

4 min read Usually, when you review a book that you think is good, or even – as in this case – excellent, you wax lyrical about how much you enjoyed it. Well, this was not the case here. Reading this book is not enjoyable. Every page you turn feels like being hit over the head with something big and heavy – perhaps a book, but definitely a hardcover one. Seriously, it’s a traumatic read, but a very important one, especially for developers with a social conscience who are hoping to create something sustainable.

3 min read Property development is about more than buying low, adding value and selling high. It’s about creating communities because, without the potential to be part of a community, no-one will buy into a development. This is why it is important to not only envision the community you want to create, but also to take cognisance of the existing community, and to balance their needs with those of the development and any future residents.

4 min read Japan, rightly, has the reputation of having one of the world’s safest and most efficient rail transport systems. And one of the most important contributors to its impeccable safety record is a simple, inexpensive technique that can be used by anyone in almost any industry – it’s the simple system the Japanese call shisa kanko, or point-and-call.

4 min read The recent announcement by the Minister of Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, of a tariff freeze preventing the water boards from increasing their charges sounds like a good idea, but it is likely to have serious consequences.

6 min read As we become more and more disillusioned with the inequity and unsustainability inherent in the way society is run, we sometimes dream of living in a utopia – a community in which everyone is respected equally, there is no poverty, and we live in harmony with the seasons and the rhythms of the planets.

3 min read A few years ago I stopped at a farm stall selling pumpkins and cucumbers, and not much else. Now you may think that’s pretty boring – until you see the range of pumpkins and cucumbers!

4 min read Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new way to reinforce concrete with a polymer lattice, an advance that could rival other polymer-based enhancements and improve concrete’s ductility while reducing the material’s carbon emissions.

3 min read A few days ago, when I was walking in Cecelia Forest – one of my regular haunts – I noticed a stream that had not been there previously. Or, at least, I thought I did. I’d walked around a corner and, yes – there it was – I could hear a stream. But I knew there wasn’t one there, so I stopped and thought.

6 min read We know that – as a country, and as property developers – we have failed to effectively and equitably utilise South Africa’s resources. Land use is illogical – based on narrow perceptions, and still subject to the legacy of colonial and apartheid spatial planning – and decidedly inequitable. We know that we have to change the relationship of people to land, but we are almost paralysed by the enormity of the challenge.

4 min read Houses in warm parts of the world are traditionally painted white – think of Greek islands, or Cape Dutch houses. Now that might be through lack of alternatives – or lack of imagination – but it is actually a good idea. White paint reflects sunlight, which means the walls absorb less heat.

4 min read In a document entitled ‘Our Shared Water Future – Cape Town’s Water Strategy’, the City of Cape Town has announced its intention to make a fundamental change in its management of risk – a clear indication that they are taking to heart the lessons learned from the Day Zero near-miss.

3 min read In an environment in which retail is under pressure, and there’s already an oversupply of shopping centres, mall owners are being forced to rethink how they use their space.

3 min read There are very few people by now who don’t acknowledge that renewable energy is the way of the future, but there is that pesky problem with managing peak demand, and the storage of, for example, solar energy for ‘a rainy day’. Storage is the main constraint for the installation of renewable energy, so it’s not surprising that this is a growing field.

3 min read A new design concept is pushing the limits of green building. Extreme as it may seem, this approach is an indication of where architecture is going.

5 min read Port Elizabeth has hit Day Zero – that dreaded spectre that had Capetonians tossing and turning in their unwashed sheets a few years ago. In some parts of the city the taps have – literally – been turned off, and water is trucked in by tanker. All this while Cape Town is revelling in full dams and continuing rainfall, but there is a distinct possibility of a Day Zero in Gauteng too. How did we get here?

3 min read 5G will change our lives, as the fifth generation of cell phone technology catapults South Africa into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With faster connectivity and more bandwidth enabling Augmented Reality, self-driving cars, the Internet of Things, and mobile data connections at unimaginable speeds, 5G is amazing. A whacking great 5G tower erected on your property without your permission? Not so amazing.

4 min read Moving to a retirement estate can be – and should be – a positive, liberating experience. It’s a line in the sand that states that you are no longer planning your life around your children, and that you have time for yourself. It’s a time to decide exactly how you want to live without the albatross of a huge suburban home, lawn, garden and two-car garage full of tools hanging around your neck. It’s time to lighten up. There’s even a word for it: dostadning.

3 min read When we talk of semigration now, we are no longer just talking about the familiar pattern of movement from Gauteng to Cape Town, but about the worldwide counter-urbanisation or de-urbanisation movement, which sees people actively moving away from cities to smaller towns in search of a less stressful, more peaceful country lifestyle, while still retaining their city jobs, if they wish to do so, by working remotely.

2 min read If you love beautiful design in the bathroom and kitchen, and recognise the importance of excellent quality that doesn’t compromise on functionality, Hansgrohe’s electronic mixers are the perfect fit for you. While Hansgrohe is known for being a leading bathroom specialist, kitchens have also become an important focus for them in recent years. Their innovative, state-of-the-art mixers are testament to their longstanding commitment to quality.

3 min read While the country slowly starts to open up after an extensive lockdown period, the spread and effect of the COVID-19 pandemic are far from over. As scientists begin to understand the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, new methods of potential spread are emerging.

5 min read SARS-CoV-2 has changed so many things – the way we socialise, the way we work, and – yes – even the way we think. But will it irrevocably change the landscape in which we live? Cities evolved to accommodate the way people worked, so will they now evolve to embrace a new work-life balance? And how will this affect our bottom line as developers? Do we need to think outside of yet another box that we thought was watertight?

3 min read Virtual property viewings in South Africa were few and far between pre-COVID-19, but they have been rapidly gaining traction, especially during the national lockdown. As we now begin to adapt to a new, post-pandemic, socially distanced normal, they could become part and parcel of buying and selling a home. So, what exactly does a virtual viewing entail, what are the positives and possible pitfalls, and is the South African property market ready for it?

3 min read It sounds like a win-win deal: you invest in a small- or medium-sized enterprise (SMME), helping it to grow by increasing its access to equity finance, and in return SARS gives you a handsome tax deduction. From a property investment point of view, many of these 12J enterprises were in the hospitality space, with investors buying into properties that catered to South Africa’s booming tourism industry. Then, in early 2020, COVID-19 struck. Boom turned to bust, leaving investors wondering if there’s any future for 12J.

3 min read Buying a property for rental is a big investment that is not without risk. So, can rental guarantees sweeten the deal? Rental income is key for investors, so developers offer rental guarantees as a way to entice investors to sign on the dotted line. A rental guarantee is usually a net return that a developer promises to pay an investor purchasing a buy-to-let property.

3 min read South African communities are buckling under the weight of municipal mismanagement and broken promises. What role could – and should – developers play in digging local municipalities out of the mess?

2 min read This spectacular, low-impact Frankie Pappas-designed home in the Waterberg sits lightly on the land, appearing to float among the trees. The brief was to design a home that disappears into the landscape, that sits among the rocks and trees and birds, that offers animals and plants and humans equal opportunity to find shelter, and that treats the bushveld with the respect it deserves.

3 min read Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a new microchip that enables continuous monitoring of pH and chlorine levels in swimming pools, and that will vastly improve water safety. New research shows that it can deliver consistent and accurate pool chemistry for reliable pool management, so it can safely be used by individual home owners and estate management.

3 min read The coronavirus pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption in the student housing sector, because the number of international students coming to the UK has fallen dramatically. This has left cities like Cardiff with an oversupply of high-end, purpose-built student accommodation blocks (PBSAs).

4 min read There is a new foodie trend sweeping across five-star hotels, award-winning restaurants and granite-topped kitchens in leafy suburbs. Actually, maybe ‘new’ is not quite the right word. The trend is foraging, and – let’s be honest – it’s hardly new.

9 min read Property buyers and sellers are facing uncertain times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Buyers who are accustomed to a regular salary cheque are concerned that they will no longer qualify for a home loan, as many consumers face the dire reality of a salary cut, retrenchment, or shorter working hours. All these events can result in a substantial reduction of income.

4 min read Some residential estates are very big so it can be difficult to know what’s going on, especially in the wilder sections. Even if your estate is not strictly a wildlife estate, it’s important to know the condition of the veld and the health – or otherwise – of animal communities. The old adage – if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it – is particularly true here. And, surprisingly, there is a fantastic app that you can download for free that will do just that.

6 min read The outcome of a recently published financial survey amongst the members of the Old Mutual Rewards Programme is a significant one for property industry.

4 min read Permaculture is one of those words being bandied about as possibly the only way to save the planet, and to slow down or prevent the demise of humanity. Well, that’s probably a bit over the top, but it is a revolutionary way of looking at how we relate to our world, and – who knows – it might just save the planet after all. Whether you are developing an estate from scratch, managing an existing estate, or just wanting to decrease your personal carbon footprint, permaculture principles can increase efficiency and save costs.

5 min read A development is not a residential estate – it’s a place with houses in a greater or lesser stage of completion. But there comes a time when the developer steps out and the homeowners association steps in – and from that moment, the estate becomes a community – a place where people live.

3 min read You know you need to manage COVID-19 but you can’t manage what you can’t measure. So how do you measure the extent of SARS-Cov-2 infection in your estate? Sounds like a long, involved process, but it isn’t. In fact, it can be done really simply.

3 min read Buying off-plan is the norm for new residential estates, but it has proven to be not that popular in the retirement village market.

6 min read A 2019 report by the South African Property Owners’ Association (SAPOA) states that nearly 20% of the office space in the Durban CBD and Rosebank (Gauteng) was empty in the last quarter of that year. And that was before office workers skedaddled home en masse and cyber-commuted while battening down the hatches against SARS-CoV-2. What does that mean for our cities, and for the people who live in them? Or, more importantly, the people who don’t live in them. And what does it mean for developers?

3 min read South Africa has had an oversupply of tourist accommodation since at least 2010. With the hotel industry now reeling from COVID-19, what are the prospects for owners and developers of hospitality properties?

4 min read The introduction of the National Credit Act had an immediate impact on the approval of credit agreements. The affordability factor, which is the capability of a debtor to pay back a loan became, the lender’s primary focus of a lender before granting a credit facility. Lenders are imposed with severe penalties if found guilty of risky lending but, as the market experienced a major decline in home loan approvals, there was an unsurpassed increase in unsecured lending. Capitec Bank is a prime example of expansion of unsecured lending, and African Bank is an example of a lender that was almost sunk as a result of risky lending practices.

4 min read One of the main advantages of living in a residential estate is that – usually – you are surrounded by significant tracts of open land. And very often that land will be left in a relatively natural state. This is a good thing for a whole lot of reasons.

3 min read Inspired, in part, by the tiny house movement, micro apartments have been touted as a solution to the housing shortage, the increasing cost of urban land, and the need to conserve resources. But, as with many things, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some shortcomings of these tiny spaces.

3 min read Your development is ready for sales, and you need widespread marketing to reach as many potential buyers as possible, followed by a flawless sales process. What is the best way – a dedicated sales team, or an estate agency?

5 min read Other than developments specifically designed for retirees, students and/or ‘young professionals’, the homes on estates, and even in apartment blocks, are designed as ‘family homes’, and estates are marketed as places in which families can thrive. But what, exactly, is a family? First let’s look at those ‘family homes’.

4 min read On 15 March 2020, in terms of Section 3 of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, the Covid-19 pandemic was classified as a national disaster, due to its potential severity and magnitude. Pursuant thereto, on 29 April 2020, the Risk Adjusted Strategy Regulations were published. These Regulations can be made available upon request.

4 min read Trout are originally from the northern hemisphere, but they are a highly sought-after species for epicureans and anglers alike, so they have been introduced worldwide. Their popularity as a fly-angling species makes their introduction into dams or lakes well worth considering. But consider carefully.

2 min read COVID-19 has had a massive impact on how we interact with others. This impact is particularly felt by essential services staff, who have to continue working despite unsafe conditions. We examine the dangers of COVID-19 to estate security staff, and what companies are doing to keep both their clients and workers safe during this uncertain time.

3 min read As we change the way we physically interact, all industries have to change the way they do business – and the real estate industry is no exception. Even before the lockdown, estate agents and prospective sellers were reluctant to let people into their houses – and prospective buyers were reluctant to enter houses where the absent owners may or may not be carriers of SARS-CoV-2. So, even once the lockdown is over, it’s clear we will have to make some serious changes in the way we market, buy and sell property.

5 min read There can be few things as rewarding as watching a healthy natural mini biome unfold in your own garden. A close encounter with one of our amazing four-legged reptiles reminds me that biodiversity can be maintained in even the smallest of suburban gardens.

3 min read At a time when all non-essential services are either in lockdown or reeling from the multiple blows to the economy, a handful of businesses are changing the way they work to stay relevant, and to stay in operation, and to make a difference.

2 min read We hope that the increased police and army presence on our streets means that we’re safer from crime as well as the Corona-19 virus during the lockdown. But there will always be those opportunistic thieves that take a chance, so here are some tips from Trellidor to help you stay safe while home during the lockdown.

5 min read The National Water Act of 1998 (NWA), which was the first comprehensive legislation adopted immediately after the transition to democracy, has far-reaching implications of which most people are blissfully unaware.

4 min read There is a worldwide trend towards the uptake of renewable resources for power generation, but it seems that South Africa is lagging behind. So let’s have a look at what other countries are doing, focusing mainly on solar, and see how we compare.

4 min read In times of drought, it’s common practice to sink a borehole. Many estates, and individuals, do this without fully appreciating how an aquifer works, and what legal implications are associated with going off grid, even partially.

4 min read Employers – including HOAs – must provide a safe workplace, even if that means insisting on disease tests for employees. During the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, cruise ships turned into living, floating laboratories for scientists studying the disease. With their close confines and high proportions of older people (who tend to be more vulnerable to the novel coronavirus), combined with their lack of access to the outside world, cruise ships were – tragically, in some cases – the perfect incubator.

2 min read Last week’s webinar saw Derek and our expert panel give their opinions on the merits of investing in property on the North Coast of KZN, and brief insights on the SA property market as a whole.

3 min read The construction industry has the potential to create employment opportunities to cushion the impact of an anticipated increase in unemployment in the immediate aftermath of the current nation-wide lockdown. This is according to a submission made by the Construction COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team (CCRR19TT) to motivate for a phased reactivation of the Construction Sector. The task team is a body representing major organizations in the sector including contractors, property developers, construction professionals, suppliers, and service providers.

3 min read Sea Point has long been regarded as one of the property jewels of Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. But does it still offer good investments? With Sea Point’s natural attractions and strong short-stay letting market, but should investors be scared off by talk of ‘carnage’ in the local market, and new regulations around short-term rentals?

4 min read The crisis we are going through is unprecedented in our lifetime – even in living memory. But it’s not unprecedented in the history of the world and, almost invariably, this kind of crisis leads to immense social, technological and philosophical change. The one thing we can be sure of is that life after COVID-19 will be different, but we can’t be sure of the form that difference will take. So it’s up to us to decide how we want to change, and how we want to live in the future.

4 min read When we think of bricks, we tend to think of either baked clay bricks or cement bricks, both of which have a very high carbon footprint – conventional clay bricks are fired at temperatures of over 1,000C, and cement requires temperatures in excess of 1,400C, which requires the burning of coal with all its attendant environmental fallout. But there are bricks – or brick-like things – that can be produced at much lower temperatures, thereby using much less carbon, and producing less pollution. Some are the result of amazing new technological breakthroughs, and are only in the trail phase, while some are so old as to have been virtually forgotten.

3 min read With construction not categorised as an essential service, all projects are suspended under the national COVID-19 lockdown – leaving the sector facing a deeply uncertain future.

4 min read Johannesburg lays claim to being the largest artificially cultivated urban forest in the world, which is great, even if it’s not entirely true. It’s great because it instils a sense of pride in the trees of the city, encouraging citizens and authorities alike to nurture them, and to plant more.

4 min read If you own, live on, or are developing a piece of land of significant natural value, you will need to come up with a way of ensuring that you manage it responsibly – and the best way to do that is to think beyond your boundary fence. The plants, soil, birds and animals don’t recognise title deeds, so managing for nature requires thinking outside of the strict ownership model of land use.

3 min read Our ancestors were devastated by diseases like smallpox, polio and measles, but we hardly give these ailments a thought. They’re just not a threat, due to an interesting phenomenon called herd immunity – a term that’s being optimistically bandied about in relation to COVID-19.

2 min read Government gazetted amendments to the BBBEE legislation on 31 May 2019, with a six-month implementation timeframe. This limited implementation period could negatively impact on your business, depending on your financial year end, and the date of the next BBBEE verification.

4 min read Conradie Park, a new mixed-income, mixed-use housing development in Cape Town, has been launched for sale to the public. Its marketing campaign lauds its ‘affordability, sustainability and security’, but how exactly will it be funded and maintained in the long run?

4 min read Corporate social investment is a great way for companies – and for estates – to give back to the community. But, while any CSI is a good thing, there is a huge difference between merely diverting funds to a good cause and actually getting involved with the community on a person-to-person basis. The former – at best – improves living standards for the target community, while the latter builds real relationships that can grow into an ongoing circle of benefit.

5 min read Under capitalism, the argument goes, it’s every man for himself. Through the relentless pursuit of self-interest, everyone benefits, as if an invisible hand were guiding each of us toward the common good. Everyone should accordingly try to get as much as they can, not only for their goods but also for their labour.