The Rep 26 March 2021

10 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 26 March 2021 THE R E P R ES E N TAT I V E
Selecting right
agent is tricky
Going for highest listing price not always best
REP REPORTER
With so many real
estate brands from
which to choose, it
can be difficult to know which
agents will provide the best
service.
Word-of-mouth is often the
most reliable way to select a
credible real estate professional,
but this is not always possible.
Those having to find an
agent on their own have several
factors to consider.
Whether buying, selling, or
renting, regional director and
CEO of RE/MAX of Southern
Africa, Adrian Goslett, explains
that it is best to work with a
skilled real estate professional
who is not only passionate and
knowledgeable about the
industry, but who also has a
working knowledge of the areas
in which the client is buying,
selling or renting.
“Not only should they be
knowledgeable, but an essential
element to the agent-client
relationship is effective
communication and trust.
“The agent should work with
the client’s best interest in mind
at all times.
“For that to happen, the
client must be able to feel
comfortable with the agent and
be able to discuss matters
openly and freely,” he says.
As important as having a
good rapport with the agent is
knowing the agent is wellconnected
and has an
established network of buyers
and sellers to whom he/she can
connect the client.
“Find out if an agent or the
brand they work for lists
properties for sale on national
and international websites or
just smaller localised ones.
“Sellers should remember
that the more exposure their
property has, the better their
chances of finding a suitable
buyer in the shortest possible
time. When you partner with a
network that is in over 110
countries and territories, you
receive worldwide brand
presence and cross-border
capabilities competitors cannot
t o u ch .
“This attracts clients who are
interested in international
opportunities, which can mean
more potential business if you’re
an agent, more potential buyers
if you’re a seller, and a wider
variety of properties if you’re a
b u ye r,” Goslett explains.
As a word of caution, Goslett
warns sellers never to choose an
agent based purely upon who
provides the highest listing price
and lowest commission rate.
“The right agent will be
realistic and base their
evaluation on location, market
conditions and what similar
houses have recently sold for in
the area.
“Beyond this, real estate
HAPPY DAY: Receiving the keys to one’s new home is exciting Picture: 123RF/FIZKES
commissions vary depending on
the brand as well as the agent’s
level of experience and the
services he/she offers.
“Often an agent that offers
their services at the lowest
commission will also provide
the lowest level of service and
s u p p o r t ,” he clarifies.
As one last final check,
clients can ask the agent for
proof of their Fidelity Fund
Certificate.
Not only will this provide
clients with protection against
fraudulent agents and
confirmation that the agent is an
accredited professional, but it is
also a good indication that the
agent complies with the
conduct rules stipulated in the
state Agent’s Code of Conduct.
“RE/MAX recognises that the
agents are the experts in their
given market, so the control
stays with them,” Goslett says.
“They set their own
objectives and determine how
to handle everything, but they
are not in it alone. They receive
support services that help them
stay ahead.
“This is why motivated
agents who are focused on their
success are drawn to the
RE/MAX brand.
“Great people, great
attitudes and great results – it is
a compelling combination that
continues to attract repeat and
referral business since our
inception back in 1995.”
Responsible return to
training is called for
REP REPORTER
The easing of SA’s adjusted
lockdown regulations to alert
level 1 has raised school
h o ck e y ’s prospects of returning
to competition in the not-toodistant
future.
The government has given
the go-ahead for the resumption
of contact sport training
provided that all social
distancing, hygiene and safety
measures are observed and that
there is no physical contact
between participants during
t ra i n i n g .
The South African Schools
Hockey Association (SASHOC)
highlighted in a statement that
the physical and mental benefits
of sport were important.
The SASHOC is a regulatory
board that promotes, upholds,
supports, controls, and
maintains rules for all pupils
playing hockey in SA.
The association said
according to a South African
Medical Research Council
(SAMRC) policy brief, regular
exercise or physical activity in
children and adolescents had
been associated with significant
health benefits.
Exercise is critically
important for their ageappropriate
physical, social and
emotional development needs,
while physical activity in
schools has been linked to
improved academic
performance.
“Regular physical activity
can help children and
adolescents improve
cardiorespiratory fitness, build
strong bones and muscles,
control weight and reduce
symptoms of anxiety and
d e p r e s s i o n ,” SAMRC wrote in
the policy brief on physical
activity for children during
C ov i d - 1 9 .
READY FOR ACTION: There is hope that schools hockey will
return to competition in the near future Picture: SUPPLIED
Other benefits include the
reduced risk of children
developing health conditions
such as heart disease, Type 2
diabetes, high blood pressure
and obesity.
The association e n c o u ra g e s
aspiring young players and
parents to find out from their
local organisers or coaches
about training sessions.
The SASHOC said its
accredited coaches would help
guide young players to ensure
their return to play was done
safely and responsibly.
This includes health
screening, washing of hands,
wearing masks, physical
distancing, sanitising, and
record-keeping for tracking
purposes.
Coaches must conduct a
thorough risk assessment and
ensure the risk profile of
activities are low, and ensure
players maintain physical
distancing while engaging in
physical activities (three stick
lengths in all directions at all
times).
The current focus during
training sessions is physical
development, technical skills,
tactical skills development,
social interaction and emotional
wellbeing.
The association has
published guidance on its
website for coaches on how to
mitigate the risks associated
with returning to training during
the global pandemic.
“While the SASHOC is
delighted that young players can
return to training, it is important
to remind sports organisers,
coaches, and players to do so
r e s p o n s i b l y.
“The SASHOC appreciates
the frustration and uncertainty
around the delay to the return to
play, but appeals for patience
and are hopeful that we will
soon be back enjoying the
beautiful game as players,
administrators, coaches and
s u p p o r t e r s .”
THE CHAMP: Shawn Anthony (manager of the Burgersdorp SPAR, and main sponsor of the day)
with Burgersdorp open golf champion Gabriel de Jongh, seen in action, right Pictures: SUPPLIED
Queenian De Jongh does
his school and club proud
REP REPORTER
Gabriel de Jongh, a Grade 12
pupil at Queen’s College, took
part in another Border Country
Districts Open championship
last weekend in Burgersdorp.
This was his second
championship in quick
succession, having played in the
Molteno Open two weeks ago.
De Jongh was defending his
2020 championship.
Competition was fierce as
the field gunned for him.
Being in the first covey to tee
off, the temperature was still
moderate and he played a
respectable first round of 35 and
was feeling comfortable,
wielding his driver
exceptionally well.
While the temperature
started to soar, a strong breeze
offered some respite, but still left
the players feeling parched.
During this round, De Jongh
was consistent and carded a 36,
giving him a total of 71 - level
par for the course.
At this stage, he was one shot
behind the leader, Pierre du
Preez, who was one under par.
De Preez was looking good
and feeling confident.
De Jongh’s third round of 35
was also consistently good but
was equalled by two of his close
competitors.
However, as they say in the
classics, “it’s not over till the fat
lady sings”.
He started the fourth round
looking exhausted and worn
out, the heat having taken its
toll, but his biggest supporter
and mentor (his dad), topped
him up with fluids.
The weather then changed,
which cooled conditions, but
intermittent showers of rain,
thunder and lightning resulted
in several coveys seeking shelter
in the course dugout and at the
clubhouse. The cooler weather
enabled the players to card
better scores, despite this being
their final round, with several of
them managing 35s and 36s.
Ryan Koekemoer,
Burgersdorp High School pupil
and De Jongh’s fellow Border
junior player, carded the best
round of the day with 34.
De Jongh remained true to
form with 36, carding another
71 and staying on par.
His 142 gross was enough to
win, three shots ahead of his
closest and fiercest competitor,
Johan (Vossie) Vosloo, a Border
senior player from Burgersdorp,
on 145.
Ben Jonas, another Border
senior player from Qonce (King
Wi l l i a m ’s Town), was third on
146.
De Jongh’s next big
competition is the Aliwal
North/North Eastern Districts
open, on March 27.