A FAMILY AFFAIR IN HEIDELBERG

MAY 2018 marks a special time for the Gauteng mother, daughter and son who comprise the Du Toit family, all of them estate agents with the Dormehl Phalane Property Group.

Matriarch Henriette, daughter Juanita and son Zandrich head the start-up team of yet another new branch of the fast-growing property company - this one in Heidelberg, where it officially opened on May 1.

Situated in Shop J03 in the Victorian Shopping Centre, at the corner of Voortrekker and Jordaan streets in Heidelberg, the branch marks one of the satellite offices of Dormehl Phalane Property Group Vaal, a branch established in March this year at 48 Umgeni Street, Three Rivers, Vanderbijlpark.

Dormehl Phalane Property Group Vaal has Benita Stander as principal and both she and Natashee Henn are directors. The branch serves Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Sasolburg, Meyerton (Midvaal) and Heidelberg, handling residential, industrial and commercial sales as well as agricultural sales (plots and farms). It also has a rental division, handling residential, industrial and commercial rentals.

Both Benita and Natashee, along with the Du Toit trio, for whom real estate has been a passion for many years, are excited about the opening of the Heidelberg branch.

“Heidelberg is a well-situated town, centrally located between a few cities, which makes it convenient to both new and existing home-owners,” says Juanita.

“It has a warm, country feel to it, quiet suburbs and is not as busy as the bigger cities. It really is a great place to come home to, and unwind after a long and busy day at work.”

There is just something about this little town “that gets stuck in your heart”, she adds, pointing out that she predicts the Dormehl Phalane Property Group will achieve great success in the area.

“We work in all areas and each has its own uniqueness. Some areas are more quiet, some closer to amenities.”

Born in Gauteng, Juanita has been in the property business for a decade, alhough she admits that she had always dreamed of becoming an architect when she was younger.

“Somehow, though, the property industry grabbed hold of me and now it seems stuck in my heart. I have develope a passion that has been growing for ages, and which will keep growing for years and years to come.”:

Her mother, Henriette, has also long been involved with property, while Juanita’s brother, Zandrich, has been “in the game” since he was 16.

“I also found out a few years ago that my father’s parents, who passed away when he was still a boy, were property investors as well as developers. So maybe it is just in our blood,” says Juanita.

Asked about challenges and plans for the branch, she shrugs and smiles.

“Everything in life is a challenge, but we never let that stop us from achieving our dreams. The thing is, a challenge always encourages an individual that has a passion for reaching a goal.

“I would say consistency is the answer for reaching any goal or dream in life. We are most definitely expanding our branch in the future. As they say, bigger is always better.”

She adds: “For now the three of us will be the face of the Dormehl Phalane Property Group in Heidelberg and, believe me, we are aiming for the sky.”

Away from the property world, Juanita, who is mom to seven-year-old Jaydon and three-year-old Karlienke, likes spending time with her family... “at home, because home is where the heart is”. She also enjoys golf, painting, fishing and camping when it comes to unwinding.

Asked about any interesting anecdotes during her time as an estate agent, she points to an incident a while back when was left a little red-faced.

“I am so passionate about property that, when I first started out in the industry, I almost sold a Chinese client his own property . My mother and i still laugh at that.”

Juanita’s mottos as a property person?

“Change your thoughts and you can change the world. Also, always stay positive and humble... but, most of all, focus and never stop praying.”