The Susan Deacon Property Group's Newsletter - 23 August 2010 http://www.susandeacon.co.za

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Property for Sale South African retail trade sales received boost during the FIFA World Cup in Weekly Property Feature
Guesthouses/Hotels June, rising by 7.4% year-on-year from a revised 4.5% in May, Statistics New Release Property
South Africa (Stats SA) reported on Wednesday.
Developments From the Desk of Marcel
Winelands Properties Deacon
In May, retail sales jumped by a higher-than-expected 4.5%, supported by
International Property World Cup-related spending on items including clothing and electronic International Property
Property for Rent goods. The World Cup was also likely to feature in July's retail sales Articles
Accommodation SA figures. Events/ Things to do
News Cafe Recipes
Beyond that, sales will remain relatively firm on higher disposable income
2010 Fifa World Cup
and lower interest rates, but the growth rate will be contained by a stagnant
Property Finance
labour market, sharp increases in administered prices and high household
debt levels.
According to Stats SA the highest annual growth in June was recorded by
retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment, at 17.7%.
This was followed by retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather
goods, at 13.1%.
Retail trade sales in real terms rose by 4.9% in the second quarter of 2010
compared with the second quarter of 2009.
Weekly Property Feature
SEDGEFIELD - R4 200 000
STELLENBOSCH - R19 800 000
To the best of our knowledge this is
Wine Estate situated in South the largest log home of its kind, in
Africa s premier wine growing area. South Africa. (Stave
The farm, with its exquisite mountain construction,vertical log, short log
views, has an excellent terroir with horzontal , French Canadian piece-
rich soils and an ideal meso climate en piece)
with cooling coastal winds. This MOSSEL BAY - R450 000
estate was one of the pioneers of The property is on 3 hectares and is
Chardonnay in South Africa and has about 20km's from Knysna in a quiet Beautiful plot situated in a security
received an impressive number of cul-de-sac, surrounded by estate on the coast of the Garden
local and international awards. The agricultural land, smallholdings, with Route.
estate has several houses in well sheep, cows, horses, etc. The slope Read more.
positioned spots. The wooden chalet from the top is gentle with good
is situated next to a dam with lots of water catchment and there are 3
bird life. The property has 3 diagrams dams with a large one at the bottom
and has potential to be developed as of the property. The large dam
a guest house with conference appears to be fed by a spring, since
Tramonto - Weddings & Events facilities. Going concern. it did not dry out like others in the
Read more. area, during the recent drought.
Read more.
New Release Property

2.
PAARL - R13 900 000
HEROLDS BAY - R1 860 000
The property is situated on the boundaries of the
Charming log home with 3 Livingareas, open plan Bergriver next to 2 golf estates. The property has a permit
kitchen, walk-in pantry, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, study to run a 10-room guest house with restaurant. The
and double garage. buildings need attention but are in a good structural
Read more. condition.
Read more.
From the Desk of Marcel Deacon
THIS IS A BUYERS MARKET - INVEST NOW
Hunting for your dream house is very exciting, but where to start? There are currently
many homes for sale at bargain prices, as the property market is only starting to lift up
its head again after the recession. Another plus is that interest rates in South Africa
are currently at the lowest levels in years. You could easily find a home loan with an
interest rate of less than 10%.
However, banks are currently very strict when giving out home loans. This is mainly
because of the new and stricter FICA regulations. Do the sums in advance. Homes for
sale at R1 million, would equal a monthly payment of roughly R10 000. It would be to
your advantage if you have a deposit of 10%, bringing your home loan down to R900
000 and your payment to R9 000. Banks are also more willing to hand out home loans
if the buyer can bring some cash to the table.
Read more.
International Property
FLEURS DE CANNES - MAURITIUS
The Villas Fleurs de Cannes were designed according to the promoters and investors
expectations of a Tropical habitat. Fleurs de Cannes Villas honour the high standard expected
of a well designed house, both in functionnality , space, comfort, security and high quality
environment. Villa Fleurs de Cannes will definitely charm its owners.
17 T5 villas of 225 mm at the heart of a secured allotment with swimming pool/kiosk, overhanging a green valley.
Within a few steps of hot white sanded beaches and crystal clear lagoons of Grand Bay. Enjoy the sweeping views
and relax at your new recreational centre offering squash sports and a fitness room.
Be among the first to acquire one of the 17 Fleurs de Canness RES villas, a new real estate project to be developed
by Heritage Promo Ltd on a 8 352 mm site in the white sand beaches region of Northern Grand Bay. Enjoy
sweeping views of enchanting land of billowing sugar cane fields, breathtaking sunlit mountain ranges and
turquoise coloured lagoons.
The villas Fleurs de Canness are designed so that their construction is in harmony with its landscape environment.
Only one type of villa was distributed across the plot, in order to adapt the construction as well as possible to the
weak slope ground. Constructions are established closest to natural ground.
Entry and exit to the residence are done through a principal access guarded by a security officer and is to the south-
east of the site. The principal alley which serves all 17 villas is planted with royal palm trees. The whole plot was
designed in such a way to guarantee a home feeling of peace, calm and serenity.
Read more.
Articles
AFRICA BUSINESS ROUND-UP
BENEFITS FROM THE WORLD CUP FOR SA
Africa and the World:
SA IS getting back to work, but for the residential property
market, the World Cup payoff is still to come.
Four agreements on programmes to the value of US$
4.5 billion were launched in Gabon, involving India and
The aim was to showcase the country to the world, which
Singapore. South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare is to buy
by all accounts has been a “fantastic success” — not
the drug-making arm of Australia's Sigma
only in terms of the soccer, stadiums and great
Pharmaceuticals. Qatar Airways is to expand its
hospitality but, equally important, in terms of SA’s
operations to Egypt.
infrastructure such as roads, airports and the Gautrain.

3.
Investment and Projects:
It is unlikely that visitors arrived with tickets for the soccer
and left with a title deed under their arms, but there is a
Nigeria has appointed independent investigators to
good chance that many visitors will return to our shores
probe alleged financial mismanagement of the stock
in the future and that is when we may see them investing
exchange. The Nairobi Stock Exchange is seeking to
in leisure property.
increase the number of stocks listed on the exchange to
about 100. Ghana is to implement an automated
The market continues to offer good value. There is no
business registration system. Strike action commenced
doubt that the market has turned and that prices are
in the automobile manufacturing industry in South Africa.
rising in nominal terms — and in real terms as well,
Tanzania's National Bank of Commerce public offering
because of our low inflation rate.
has been
Read more.
Read more.
RETIREMENT PROPERTY INVESTMENT ADVICE
HOUSE PRICES STILL INCREASING
Although some recent media reports have been
The latest statistics released by bond originator ooba
ambivalent on future prospects of the Cape residential
indicate a consolidation of the recovery in the property
market, it is showing a slow but steady upward trend.
market which began in the second half of 2009.
It is true that there has as yet been only a small rise in
According to Saul Geffen, CEO of ooba, the monthly
prices, but the number of houses sold has now risen
trends in the statistics tracked by ooba, which include
year on year by 20%.
movements in house prices, approved bond sizes,
deposit requirements and bank decline ratios, all
As the latest FNB survey has shown, in the second
suggest that the positive conditions for homebuyers will
quarter of 2010 Western Cape house price inflation
continue into the second half of 2010.
accelerated to 13,8% year on year – up from 8,7% in the
first quarter, with a quarter on quarter growth rate
9.8 percent year-on-year growth
accelerating marginally from 3,9% in quarter one to 4,2%
in quarter two.
The oobarometer price index recorded a 9.8 percent
year-on-year increase in the average house purchase
This is further evidence that the “prudent” National Credit
price in July to R850 763 from R775 172, while the
Act has proved to be exactly what the country needed –
average purchase price made by first-time buyers also
and has very definitely prevented SA experiencing the
showed a year-on-year increase of 8.5 percent to R591
severest effects of the collapse in the market that the UK
643.
and the USA went through.
Read more.
Read more.
REPAYING YOUR BOND FASTER
FIRST TIME BUYERS ADVICE
Many consumers aren’t aware that even a small
Interest rates may be at historic lows - but first-time additional payment into their home loan account every
buyers find it increasingly difficult to enter the market. month can make a big difference.
Recent Absa statistics show that house prices are now If you have a 20-year bond of R500 000 at an interest rate
about 15% higher than a year ago, with the average of 12.5%, and you increase your bond repayment by just
house price now R1m. R300 a month, you could pay off your bond almost four
years earlier and save more than R200 000 in interest.
That places the ‘average' house out of reach of many, if
not most, first-time home buyers. At current rates, home Given the difficult economic conditions, however, many
owners will have to pay about R9 500 a month to service homeowners find their budgets stretched to the limit and
the bond on a property of R1m over 20 years - and that's should rather focus on saving on interest until the tides
on top of their other monthly expenses that are taken into change.
account in terms of the National Credit Act before a bank
will grant a bond. In order to fast-track the repayment of your home loan
with the aim to save on interest homeowners to secure
However, all is not lost for young buyers who wish to the best possible interest rate on their home loan. Every
own their own homes. Smaller properties, such as 0.5% reduction in the interest rate on a home loan of R1-
apartments or townhouses, offer a first foothold in the million represents an interest saving of more than R85
market and allow young buyers to start building equity. 000 on a 20-year bond. Even 0.1% will make a
Read more. significant difference over the life period of a bond.
Read more.
SA TO JOIN TOP DEVELOPING NATIONS
TRAMONTO WEDDING RUN
South Africa may be poised to join the BRIC group of
The first Tramonto Wedding Run on 21 Aug 2010
nations – Brazil, Russia, India and China – after both the
certainly left an impression on its attendants. With over
Russian and Indian heads of state expressed their
300 athletes entering the race on the first year, the
support for the move.
Wedding Run can only go from strength to strength.
Together with the NLR Wine Trade show with it’s 16 top
The BRIC group, also known as the Big Four, is a
class farms and a lively upbeat performance by
powerful economic alliance of the four fast-growing
Watershed, the scene was set for a perfect day out! The
nations, two of which have the biggest populations of any
day was blessed with beautiful sunshine, mouth
country on earth.
watering food, laughter of children and fantastic prizes
sponsored by Jaguar, Tramonto, Pentravel, Weltevrede
At a function in South Africa earlier in August 2010, held
Winefarm, Diemersfontein Winefarm & Puma.
to mark the Indian day of independence on the 15th,
India’s newly appointed high commissioner to the
The Bride’s Dash promises to be a new yearly tradition
country, Virendra Gupta, said that his government
so get those dresses ready for next year or miss out on
desired the development of more opportunities for close
all the fun, the next date is set for 20 August 2011 and
collaboration with South Africa. Such collaboration, he
we cannot wait for the bigger, better and activity packed
said, would strengthen the two countries’ already close
Wedding Run Experience!!!
ties.
Read more.

4. to mark the Indian day of independence on the 15th,
India’s newly appointed high commissioner to the
The Bride’s Dash promises to be a new yearly tradition
country, Virendra Gupta, said that his government
so get those dresses ready for next year or miss out on
desired the development of more opportunities for close
all the fun, the next date is set for 20 August 2011 and
collaboration with South Africa. Such collaboration, he
we cannot wait for the bigger, better and activity packed
said, would strengthen the two countries’ already close
Wedding Run Experience!!!
ties.
Read more.
Read more.
Events / Things to do
HERMITAGE MTB ENDURO - GEORGE OUDE MOLEN MTB CHALLENGE
Of the LAGOONBAY EDEN XTREME Outdoor Expo The annual mountain biking calendar will receive a
Official 4th SWD Enduro Series boost in August 2010 when the exciting Oude Molen
Conquer The Mountain Mountain Bike Challenge debuts at the Oude Molen
Never Before Raced Route In Outeniqua Mountain & Distillery, South Africa’s Premier Brandy Destination on
Eden Forest Sunday, 29 August 2010.
Read more. Read more.
Recipes
LAMB KNUCKLE AND TAMATO CASSEROLE
The secret of this dish lies in using good quality ingredients and long slow
oven cooking. It is even better the next day.
1-1.25 kg lamb. Select either knuckles cut into 5cm lengths, or cubed
shoulder of lamb
3 T (45 ml) Olive or Canola oil
1 T (15ml) Ina Paarman's Meat Spice
2 onions, chopped
3 ripe red tomatoes, skinned and chopped
1 x 200 ml Ina Paarman's Sun-dried Tomato Coat & Cook Sauce
1 t (5 ml) sugar
½ t (2,5 ml) Ina Paarman's Chilli & Garlic Seasoning
1½ cups (375 ml) water
1½ T (22,5 ml) Ina Paarman's Chicken Stock Powder
3 potatoes, diced
1 T (15 ml) Ina Paarman's Brown Onion Soup & Gravy Mix Read more.
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