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As with anything in life, knowledge is power and in today’s risky economic climate, investors need as much as possible to make bold, calculated investment moves that yield great results. Cue Estate Living, South Africa’s leading resource and specialist consultancy within the community living environments. Masters at building relationships and identifying new opportunities, Louise Martin and Jaime-Lee Gardner’s innovative services are helping investors and developers all over the country to understand their market.
Louise, COO Estate Living comments, “We understand that the built environment is so much more than just bricks and mortar. We are passionate about partnering with developers and investors to help build communities that add value to people’s lives.”
For 10 years, Louise and Jaime-Lee have been bringing stakeholders in the built environment together.
“Whether you’re an investor, resident or developer, we’ve been meticulously gaining knowledge about how to create communities where people can connect.”
A recent Estate Living Property Development event held in Durban illustrated their ability to identify new opportunities. “Our events feature speakers and panel discussions by those who are at the forefront of what’s happening in the industry,” enthuses Jaime-Lee.
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Last week’s event touched on various topics including identifying growth nodes, alternative financing, insurance and the increasingly important role of environmental sustainability.
Avi Gordon from Grovest shared his insights on Section 12J, a section of the South African Income Tax Act which provides a tax incentive for individuals, trusts and companies that invest in a SARS-approved venture capital company (VCC). It was created to stimulate equity investments in small and medium enterprises and the amount of funds within 12J have grown exponentially since 2009. Hospitality, property, renewable energy and asset rentals are key investment areas under this section and the good news for investors is that they can claim 100% deduction against their taxable income in the year the investment is made.
eThekwini Municipality also came to the party indicating where the growth nodes are within the greater Durban metropolitan area. According to the municipality’s Francis Ncqobo, the KwaZulu-Natal north coast continues as an investment hotspot but other areas to the west and south of the city as well as the CBD are ear-marked for future development with ample opportunities available for developers and investors.
Timothy Thom from Lombard, a division of Lombard Insurance Company, presented on their property development guarantees which benefit developers and buyers. These guarantees offer buyers the chance to secure their purchase in a development where there may be a shortfall. The guarantee allows them to only pay the outstanding balance of the purchase price closer to transfer. Failing to make payment results in the developer cancelling the sales agreement and submitting a claim on the guarantee.
Other presentations included Mauritian development, UniCiti and the importance of sustainable development with Tshepiso Kobile of Congruity.
“We had a great turnout at this event which demonstrates that industry players are hungry for knowledge on how they can capitalise off the current market to create valuable living spaces that yield high returns,” concludes Louise.
Please contact us for more information on event speakers or how they can assist through their various business services.
