Gold Coast Estate
trained and up to date with regard to the latest legislation such as the National Credit Act , the Consumer Protection Act and FICA . They can explain the clauses of any offer to purchase , particularly the purchase price , method of payment , date of occupation , occupational rental , contractual obligations ( for example , pest and electrical certificates ), obtaining a mortgage bond , as well as a breakdown of all the costs involved in acquiring a property , such as transfer duty , VAT , transfer fees , fees regarding registration of mortgage bonds and obtaining rates and levy clearance certificates .
THE CASE FOR SALES TEAMS
Like any product or service using agents , it can be difficult to control the agent ’ s activities and to make sure they continually work hard on your behalf . Also , an agent might not sell your product or service in the way that you would like , or properly understand your property and its brand .
In the case of mixed-use property developments , a sales team also has a wide-lens , in-depth knowledge of the diverse offerings on site . Steyn City is an example . ‘ With a complex development and lifestyle resort such as Steyn City , it is crucial that our sales team builds and develops product knowledge ,’ says Giuseppe Plumari , CEO of Steyn City Properties .
‘[ They ] need to fully comprehend our offering and have intimate product knowledge to share with our buyers . This requires training and long-term commitment , which can only be achieved with a dedicated team of people . We are not simply selling real estate , we ’ re selling a lifestyle ,’ he adds .
Property developers entering international markets can particularly benefit from a sales team that understands how to sell the brand abroad , and are familiar with the cross-border questions that typically arise .
This is why top-end estate developments like Val de Vie in the Western Cape , or Steyn City in Gauteng , have an on-site sales office , backed up by interactive online platforms that prospective buyers can use to communicate their needs .
Regardless of whether your development sales strategy involves an internally appointed sales team or an externally mandated agency or a combination thereof , an efficent online sales management system is crucial to the smooth administration and management of properties through the process of transfer , as well as to the collaboration and communication between the various stakeholders , says Deon Basson , CEO of REDi .
Key factors to consider would include :
• One central information database of up-to-date development and sales data .
• Controlled user rights , permissions and access levels based on roles ( developer , administrators , agents , attorneys , mortgage originators , banks , etc ).
• Configurable process flows and business rules ( sales , legal , financial ).
• Automated notifications based on preset business rules and key milestones in the sales / transfer process .
• Instant communications between the various stakeholders .
• Accurate , real-time reporting on every aspect of the development process .
The benefits and administrative efficiencies of such a system as well as the resultant cost savings to the developer cannot be overstated , says Basson .
17