Further evidence that many South Africans have faith in the future of residential property and are not overly concerned about the recent slow-down in sales comes with the announcement from Rawson Properties MD, Tony Clarke, that the group's expansion has continued at a satisfactory pace.
In the last few months, said Clarke, his group has signed up ten new franchises, most of which are in central Gauteng where Rawson's main growth efforts have been focused in recent years. New agencies have also, however, been set up in East London and Klerksdorp.
'It is,' said Clarke, 'ironical that at a time when the newspapers have been telling the public that hundreds of agents are leaving the industry we are fielding a steady flow of enquiries from potential new franchisees and agents. The general perception among those who study property trends is that although we are now in a stabilising period, by mid-2009 residential property prices will once again be on the increase'
Clarke said that the Rawson franchise package is particularly attractive to the many people who have forged careers for themselves in other fields and are now looking for a new lifestyle. It is also attractive to ambitious small agencies now looking for growth and national exposure.
'Rawsons offer real, ongoing backup and it is this factor which sets us apart from many other nationwide agency groups,' said Clarke. 'We provide our franchisees with full business development plans, IT systems, administrative and report-back systems and full training on an ongoing basis for both the franchisee and his staff (with a view to complying with the new NQF Qualification which will greatly raise standards throughout the industry.
'In addition, our franchises have the support of national advertising and branding and a national referral network which significantly increases their chances of success '“ and the Rawson Finance offering allows our franchises to service our purchasers better with the best available mortgage packages."
Clarke said that although the Rawson franchise promotion team has eased up this year in response to the slowdown in house sales, the groups goal of expanding nationwide remains intact but, he added, they still expect by the end of 2010 to have franchises in all nine South African provinces and in every town of any importance throughout South Africa.
