MAIN IMAGE: Kenny Parcell, President of the National Association of Realtors; Steven Ngubeni, Chairperson of the PPRA
The year is starting out strong with important industry events already on the calendar – the first is an upcoming visit from the NAR President, the second the first of its kind Residential Investment and Development Conference.
Both events stand to focus on key aspects of growth within the industry, relationship building with stakeholders, and are not to be missed.
Attend the Seminars: NAR President Coming to SA this February
Kenny Parcell, President of the National Association of Realtors, America’s largest trade association, representing 1.5 million+ members, including NAR’s institutes, societies, and councils, will be participating in a series of stakeholder events hosted by Rebosa this February. Jan le Roux, CEO of Rebosa served as NAR Director for 2022, and believes that there is much to be gained from closer collaboration with such a trusted association. It is also an opportunity for South African stakeholders to come together and Steven Ngubeni, Chairperson of the PPRA has confirmed that he will also be participating.
Topics under discussion will include:
- Given the huge strides made in technology is the individual estate agent still relative, and if so, how can such an agent ensure relevance in future?
- What impact do disruptors have on the conventional real estate market, and do they pose a threat?
- Brands seem to be becoming dominant, is there still room for the small family run organisation?
- What is happening with commission rates? Is there downward pressure? Who is winning the tug-of-war between business owner and selling agent as far as commission splits are concerned?
Real estate practitioners and affiliates are invited to attend two open events, one in Johannesburg on the 17th of February and one in Cape Town on the 20st of February. “These events are free and open to the industry, but with limited seating capacity of 1,000 per venue, we ask that agents and interested parties register for the seminars on the Rebosa website at www.rebosa.co.za. Registration will be open as of Tuesday 24 January”, shares Adrianne du Toit, Head of Stakeholder Relations at Rebosa.
The first Residential Investment & Development Conference
Hosted by SmartXchange (a division of Commerce Edge South Africa), this event will bring together the entire residential value chain to share knowledge, collaborate and do business. Expanding on the pressing need for this gathering, SmartXchange chairperson and CEO Debbie Tagg says: “South Africa has a massive housing shortage and one of the highest urbanisation rates among emerging economies across the world. 63% of South Africans are already living in urban areas and this will rise to 71% by 2030. By 2050, eight in 10 people will be living in urban areas. There are currently more than 3 300 informal settlements in South Africa”.
The conference will see government agencies, asset managers, operating entities, investors, brokers, banks, consultants, and service providers come together to unpack new opportunities in the social and affordable housing, student, retirement, co-living and multi-family residential spaces.
The event will feature practical case studies, roundtable discussions and keynote presentations from global and local experts and thought leaders. Tagg says that the conference will benefit all levels of audience.
Tagg explains that the event’s key objectives are to enable private role players to achieve “housing for all’; to slash the development cost in the South African economy; to boost the state’s capacity to fast-track project approvals and policy implementation; to formalise the industry value chain and eco system; to unlock equity and debt funding; and to mitigate risk by unpacking and examining risk and pricing models.
The inaugural conference will take place on 12 and 13 July 2023 at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Current event partners include SoHo Properties, iKhaya Future House, Enza Construction, Triple 3 Group, Take Shape Property Management, Venator, EnPointe Properties, Property Wheel, SAACPP, GreenStuff, SA Building Review, SA Business Integrator and SA Profile.
To find out more about tailor made sponsorship and partnership opportunities at the 2023 Residential Investment & Development Conference, contact Debbie Tagg at debbie@smartxchange.org.za
