Dear Subscriber
Welcome to the SAHometraders Newsletter for the month of September. No doubt, we all drew a collective sigh of relief at the Reserve Bank Governor’s decision to hold back on yet another interest rate hike in August. With consumers continuing to feel the pinch financially, a new trend seems to have developed in the property market with an ever-increasing demand for rental property. Many estate agents have been forced to diversify their portfolios with investment shy potential buyers preferring to rent and ride out the storm. Even so, there are economists who believe that the light at the end of the tunnel is steadily approaching. SAHometraders is determined to keep abreast of market trends and continue to perform at the forefront of innovative online property marketing, ensuring that your product commands the best possible reach.
This newsletter contains:
- Updates on current activity,
- Information on our cutting-edge new features,
- Advice on technical issues.
At SAHometraders, our goal is to provide lead generation from our national site by meeting the demand for inventive forms of advertising with progressive online marketing ideas and state-of-the-art design features. If you have any queries regarding our various products or services, please don’t hesitate to contact us: sales@sahometraders.co.za
Yours in Online Marketing
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Click here to find out more about our
Marketing Services...
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| Subscriber Update |
Even Rubbing That Lamp is Going to Cost You |
It’s official – PropertyGenie has implemented their charging model effective from the 1st of September 2008. This means that unless you sign on independently as a paid subscriber with PropertyGenie, your properties will no longer be listed on their site. However, if you are a subscriber with SAHometraders and wish to list your properties on the PG site for their stipulated fee then for your convenience, we will continue to list your properties dynamically on the PG site through the SAHometraders feed currently in place. Should you require this to happen, please don’t hesitate to contact support@propertygenie.co.za.
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Take Heart, Some Things Still Come Free |
In the last newsletter, subscribers were informed of the option to list properties for free on Gravity (g.co.za) using an xml feed from SAHometraders. The listing works on a permission basis, so anyone interested in taking advantage of this option should please contact us via email. Unfortunately, any activation emails sent over the last month seem to have gone walkabout so if you did send an email requesting the Gravity option, we would be most grateful if you could send confirmation and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the mix up.
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Are You Really Maximising Your Full Potential? |
The current state of economic affairs worldwide means that businesses and individuals alike are being bombarded by financial pressure from all angles. Desperate times call for desperate measures and it is vital that estate agents employ a little business savvy if they are maximize their full marketing potential. Consider this: taking out a ¼ page article in a print media publication will cost you around R3020 in the Cape. It’s fair to say such a publication distributes a limited number of copies to a limited number of locations and for a relatively short period of time. Certainly not maximum exposure. Now for a once-off fee of R3876 (VAT inclusive), SAHometraders will design your own agency website and thereafter a monthly fee of R570 (including hosting) will be charged to list an unlimited number of properties on our well-positioned property portal and your own site. There really is no comparison when it comes to exposure – the Internet is a global phenomenon reaching all corners of the world, let alone the local market and potential buyers can access the information 24 hours a day 365 days a year. No contest, wouldn’t you say?
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Forging Relationships Within the Industry |
SAHometraders prides itself on taking a holistic approach to the property market and has embarked on an initiative to create partnerships with industry players whose offering would be mutually beneficial to our own valued clientele. This month the focus is on a groundbreaking service offered by Ensurent, the only rental guarantee service that is genuinely risk free, flexible and affordable. With 13 years of experience managing the largest organization of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the proof is in the pudding as they say. If you would like to find out more about this offering, please click here.
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“Ahoy there, shipmates! Welcome aboard!” |
With South African consumers continuing to feel the pinch and the property market still experiencing a dramatic slump in activity, it’s vital that estate agents maximize the exposure of their product through the latest technological innovations. Multiple listing on the SAHometraders national portal and affiliated sites provides your product with extensive reach, but having your own website is the ultimate marketing tool, allowing you to showcase your entire property portfolio.
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SAHometraders would like to welcome the following new members on board:
- ERA Melkbos
- Jawitz Knysna
- Rawson Goodwood
- ERA Alberton
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- Rawson Properties Wilgeheuwel
- ERA Richards Bay
- ERA St Lucia
- ERA Empangeni
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Update from the Legal Eagle |
| This month’s legal update from C&A Friedlander Attorneys has to do with the Subdivision of Agricultural Land. “Section 3 of the Act requires that the Minister of Agriculture give his or her consent in writing to any proposed sale or subdivision of “agricultural land” for the sale to be valid…” Click here to see the full article.
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Two More Additions to the Web Family |
Subscribers in the Krugersdorp and Roodepoort areas will be pleased to know that two more regional sites have been developed: http://www.krugersdorppropertyforsale.co.za and http://www.roodepoortpropertyforsale.co.za. This means that in addition to listing your various properties on the national site, they will be listed dynamically on the relevant regional sites, targeting area specific search criteria on the search engines and making your product reach even more extensive.
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| New Features |
Yet Another Useful Addition to the Back-Office |
You will be pleased to know that multiple agents can now be added when listing properties in the back-office. Once you have finished adding the property, simply click on ‘edit property’ from the preview screen and you will find a button to ‘link additional agents’ just below the current agent details. Click on the button and a pop up screen will appear giving you the option to select additional agents. Once you have made your selection, close the pop up window and save the property. You will then be able to see the additional agent links on the preview screen.
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The Latest in Innovative Mobile Technology |
Let’s face it. We live in a dynamic and constantly evolving society that is fed by a generation of technologically advanced individuals who are lapping up the latest inventions, particularly in the mobile phone industry. Picture this – you’ve just landed that sought-after promotion and you take your wife out for a drink to celebrate. To add to your delight, she tells you that she’s pregnant and you’re about to add another member to your happy family. In the midst of all the excitement, there is mention of investing in that house you’ve been talking about for months. No need to wait until you get home to surf the net for possibilities, you simply whip out your cell phone. What could be more convenient than access to property listings anytime, anywhere from the palm of your hand? In fact, you’ve already seen a number of houses that pique your interest and you send off an enquiry via email, knowing that an agent will likely call you in the morning to organize a viewing. Still not convinced? Why not try it for yourselfhttp://www.sahometraders.co.za from your cell phone and search for your own listings. |
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| Technical Issues |
Crash Course in Loading Property |
In order for properties to load successfully on SAHometraders or PropertyGenie, the descriptions for listings must be at least 30 characters. When you are loading images, please make sure that you select the tick box, browse for the relevant photo and always save the property once you’re done. Listings must have at least one image to be included in the featured properties on SAHometraders or to be listed on PropertyGenie. It is also necessary to reiterate the fact that no rentals will appear on the PG site. |
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| Marketing Services |
National Site: SA Hometraders has over 650 subscribers, marketing 35000 properties for sale, 4000 rentals and a selection of farms, businesses and commercial developments.
Database of Contacts: This database consists of past and potential clients with whom you wish to remain in regular contact. Ideally, the list should be expanded and updated on an ongoing basis.
Product Range:
- List Management
- Monthly/Quarterly Newsletter
- Electronic Signatures
- Newsflashes
- Various SMS Options
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We would be happy to design an appropriate package to suit your particular needs. Should you be in the process of setting up a similar arrangement elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a competitive option.
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