EXCITED OVER A 'PIONEERING PARTNERSHIP'

“A PIONEERING partnership”... these are words from Benita Stander, the principal and a director of the new Dormehl Phalane Property Group’s Vanderbijlpark-based branch, when it comes to describing how she and her co-director, Natashee Henn, view their team having recently joined the blossoming property group.

Established at the beginning of March, the branch has Castello Properties (Pty) Ltd trading as Dormehl Phalane Property Group Vaal. The offices are at 48 Umgeni Street, Three Rivers, Vanderbijlpark – Shop B6, President Hyper Square, on the corner of Ascot on Vaal and Playfair Boulevard.

Originally established in the property business in 2012, when it was affiliated to another property group, the branch now has 23 agents, and both Benita and Natashee believe it has become a force to be reckoned with.

Serving Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Sasolburg, Meyerton (Midvaal) and Heidelberg, the branch handles 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.

 “The Vaal Triangle is a gem, nestled on the banks of not only the mighty Vaal River but also the Sugarbush and Klipriver. It offers country living at its best with panoramic views and an outdoor lifestyle, all within 30 minutes’ drive from Johannesburg,” says Benita.

“The area also has excellent schools and two universities,” points out Natashee.

Discussing the success of the branch, Benita and Natashee are in agreement when Benita says: “We have excellent systems and our staff has a combined 30 years of experience in real estate. Our agents are registered professionals and the majority of them come from high positions in banking. We have some accountants and excellent, skilled sales people who are passionate about real estate.”

Business had significantly increased since September 2017, and the branch had achieved a record deal selling a farm in the Belfour area, explains Natashee.

The link with the Dormehl Phalane Property Group was due to skills, mutual respect and friendship, she adds.

Both she and Benita favoured being part of the Dormehl Phalane Property Group family because doing so gave their property professionals the chance “to be part of a broad-based empowerment company which would encourage strong and sustainable growth in our area”.

Adds Benita: “We also believe this company has taken transformation seriously and is aligned with our strategy to create opportunity and promote job creation. Also, agents can work in moral harmony with colleagues and competitors, create an orderly industry and ensure the needs of the consumer are effectively served.”

Both Benita and Natashee view the Dormehl Phalane Property Group as a truly South African brand which has “pro-actively taken it upon itself to lead the moral and ethical way”.

Natashee says: “It is a ‘people’s brand’ and caters for the top, middle and affordable markets.

“Owen Dormehl and Daniel (Tau) Phalane have a vision to make this a top brand, and with 76 offices currently and new doors opening monthly, we believe this is a phenomenal brand.”

Dormehl and Phalane’s company appealed to both Natashee and Benita, they say, because, between them, the men have extensive business experience, a strong legal background and a significant track record of consistent success, based on sound financial understanding and social development.

Benita makes it clear that the branch enjoys going the extra mile for the community, thereby also indirectly promoting the franchise.

The branch has planned a fundraiser on March 16 – a Charity Golf Day to raise funds for a prosthetic leg for a member of the community. Also, for the past three years it has held an annual Potjie Competition for members of the real estate fraternity. The most recent was on March 9, when some 300 to 400 less-privileged people were fed as a result.

A mother of two teens, Benita was born in George and educated at Outeniqua. She studied public relations and worked for the Pick ’n’ Pay group for many years, handling marketing and advertising.  Her entry to the world of real estate came in 2004.

Goals of the new franchise?”

“The aim is to establish the brand in our franchise area and take the majority market share. We also want to build a very strong team and provide excellent service without exception; add value to our industry,” says Benita.

 “After three years of a very slow market we forecast a slightly stronger market in 2018. It would, however, all depend on the political and financial environment of the country. Uncertainty around policy direction poses a significant risk to forecast,’ adds Natashee.

“Investment in property will always take place and we remain focused on mandates and excellent service,” says Benita, who points out that her motto as a property person is “if you love a realtor, raise your glass. If not, raise your standards”

Her motto in life is “prepare for the worst, hope for the best and view the world in a realistic light”.

Natashee, a boating fan who has two sisters, was born in Johannesburg in 1986, but her parents relocated to Vereeniging soon after and she matriculated in 2014. She first worked in the world of real estate as a receptionist for a real estate agency.

She starting working for the current branch’s previous franchise as office manager in 2014, and has been with the branch ever since.

Her motto in life is “always be humble – and give, shine and forgive”.