IEASA SHARES WISDOM AND INSIGHT WITH THE INDUSTRY IN THE TIME OF COVID
We spoke to Annette Evans from the Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa for her views and advice on the happenings in the property industry over the past month, and the way forward for Estate Agents in 2020.
We know that IEASA is working behind the scenes to alleviate the anxiety and frustration that estate agents are experiencing, particularly with regard to when (at what Risk Adjusted Level) the estate agency professional may meaningfully return to work.
We have been working on a range of projects behind the scenes such as the formation of the National Property Practitioners Council (NPPC), funding applications for our members and working with specialists regarding Covid-relief plus liaising with relevant stakeholders to ensure the real estate sector is working in unison at this very difficult time. We motivated raising the alert levels of property professionals, however this was not implemented and residential real estate remains at level 2. We are, however, working closely with all stakeholders to stick together through this crisis.
What advice can you give to agents with regards to adapting to the ever-changing conditions of lockdown in South Africa – do you have any tips to offer?
We recommend agents take the time to update their databases and do online webinar learning not purely for their non-verifiable CPD, but to upskill themselves. Whilst estate agents are not currently able to take clients out to viewings, they can set up appointments for sellers and buyers, landlords and tenants to take part in video viewings and consultations. Deals are being done at this time.
My top tip for Agents during lockdown is to fully embrace the spirit of Ubuntu, connect with the vulnerable in your community and focus on what you can do to help. A call to a client or a colleague to offer support, will go a long way in forging greater connections and everyone benefits as a result. These simple acts will be remembered post- lockdown when life is lived outside and people are able to movearound again.
Can you tell us about the newly formed National Property Practitioner Council (NPPC) and the role that you see it fulfilling in the property industry?
(http://www.ieasa.org.za/pub/news/info/NI01540 – Full article)
A new representative council has been formed to provide a single voice for property practitioners to speak with authority on issues connected with the property industry. For the first time in the history of the South African real estate sector, representative bodies have come together to form a unified national council, devoid of the constraints of self-interest by any particular sector of the industry, to act as the national industry representative body in all matters pertaining to the sector. The National Property Practitioners Council (“NPPC”) is the result of industry wide consultation to create the most appropriate representative body aimed at successfully formulating, developing and implementing credible industry-wide strategies capable of addressing national key imperatives and industry objectives including but not limited to industry regulation, transformation and education priorities.
In response to the Property Practitioners Act, the newly formed National Property Practitioners Council (“NPPC”) is open to all organised formations and stakeholders who fall within the definitions of the Act. Collectively the NPPC represents the interests over 40 000 agents, brokers, professionals, consultants, developers, managing agents, and financing institutions falling within the Act’s ambit.
Founding members of the NPPC are:-
South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners (“SAIBPP”)
South African Property Owners Association (“SAPOA”)
Real Estate Business Owners of South Africa (“REBOSA”)
National Property Forum (“NPF”)
National Association of Managing Agents (“NAMA”)
Institute of Certified Business Brokers
South African Institute of Auctioneers (“SAIA”)
Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa (“IEASA”)
South African Business Broking Association (“SABBA”)
Also a high priority on our agenda is the draft regulations which will give effect to the new Property Practitioners Act; fast-tracking transformation initiatives; addressing industry growth opportunities and streamlining and building relations between the industry, government and all relevant stakeholders. The NPPC also aims to work closely with the regulatory authority to facilitate industry-wide consultation going forward.
Has the key support structure offered by IEASA to agents during this time been modified, and are their specific Covid-19 value added services on offer to agents that are subscribed to IEASA.
The first business of the new ‘council’ is to address the economic impact of Covid-19 on the sector and to pursue relief measures to mitigate some of the challenges. These include appeals to government to relax certain lockdown restrictions to ensure the continuation of the sectors economic supply chain. Proposed interventions include opening the Deeds Office with a skeleton staff to register properties and a call for local councils to issue rates clearance certificates. The industry regulator, EAAB, has also been approached to waive certain fees and penalties. In the weeks ahead, the NPPC will endeavour to formulate policies and interventions, that will address the challenges the sector is currently faced with. We are also offering a whole host of Webinar training and benefit partner offerings at this time.
Can you leave us with a positive thought to end off on, as the industry navigates its way through the remainder of the Covid-19 Pandemic?
The way we buy, sell and rent Real Estate is evolving at quite a pace and I we believe that residential property will be a positive focus for those who found working from home benefited them in some way – so real estate agents should get ready for that time and surround themselves with strong professionals to enhance their client’s real estate experience. The formation of the NPPC, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic is positive proof that real estate organisations stand together in times of crises.
We can assure real estate professionals that IEASA is in lockdown, not shut down and we are busy on behalf of our members, in all manner of ways, to ensure that you are represented. Going forward we will post information and news and webinars and online training on our website and on social media. It’s not too late to join IEASA – support us so we can support you!
Please view our website and follow our Facebook pages and to remain updated.
Email: info@cape.ieasa.org.za
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/iea.za/
Website: www.ieasa.org.za
News updates: http://www.ieasa.org.za/pub/news
- On May 7, 2020