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Sep 17, 2007:
The Institute of Estate Agents (Ieasa) now has a Limpopo region, based in Polokwane.
This was recently launched at the Meropa Casino and follows the opening six months ago of a Free State/Northern Cape region to add to the long-established Western Cape, South Eastern Cape, Border, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal, KwaZulu-Natal Inland, Eastern Gauteng, Central Gauteng and north regions.
"After a few years in the doldrums at the start of this decade, Ieasa is once again gaining members and new regional offices, in spite of the fact that the property market is contracting and many agents are actually leaving the industry," says national president Dr Willie Marais
"It seems an increasing percentage of agents all over the country are coming to understand how important it is to belong to an organisation whose primary function is to look after their particular interests and protect their standing as professionals."
He notes Ieasa membership has increased by 14,2% in the 12 months since May 2006, which is up on the annual average increase of 13,6% since May 2002, and the Limpopo launch was attended by more than 130 agents.
A major factor in agents' renewed interest in the institute is the imminent introduction of a new qualifications framework which will effectively raise the entry level to the estate agency industry and mean that many existing agents have to go through a tough re-accreditation process.
"There has been an enormous amount of discussion and negotiation with government around these new educational qualifications, and agents want to be sure they are properly represented when decisions are made."
In addition, he says, Ieasa was recently accepted as the first African-nation member of the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) – which means its members will have exclusive access to www.worldproperties.com, the largest international property website, as an advertising and referral medium.
Agents attending the Limpopo branch opening were treated to presentations on the US and Russian property markets, things to know about homeowners' associations and municipal rules regarding for-sale boards.
It was also announced that the institute will be celebrating its 70th anniversary at a conference to be held on 27-30 September 2007 at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park.
They then elected 11 regional directors, with Maryna van der Merwe as chairperson.
