Latest News
Commercial Property Confidence (CPCI): Is the outlook cautiously optimistic, or not?
In the early part of 2010, the eProp CPCI index showed some early signs of improvement having reached a level of 47 as at February/March 2009. With 50 being neutral, the reading was still largely negative, but certainly an improvement from the levels of 36 and 37 registered in the preceding bi-annual periods.
The bi–annual eProp Commercial Property Confidence Index (CPCI) Survey is based on a mix of ten equally weighted variables comprising both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ business conditions; the index reflects a six month forward projection for the commercial property sector. Read more
Industrial vacancies still on a par with long-term averages
August 2010
A look at industrial vacancy trends shows that there is, as yet, no need for industrial property investors to panic and make friends with their bankers.
Vacancies have been showing a strong northward trend over the past few quarters — on the back of severe weaknesses in the industrial property market’s two support pillars, namely retail sales and manufacturing activity. Nevertheless, current vacancy levels are still more or less on a par with their 19-year averages (refer Table 1). On the Rode industrial vacancy scale, the Central Witwatersrand still recorded a vacancy factor of only 2,2 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to a long-term average of 2,6. Both figures denote that vacancies are, in the opinion of our panellists, still ‘low’ (1—3), with ‘high’ being a figure of 7—9.
In some other cities, the comparable figures were as follows:
Cape Peninsula 2,9 (3,2), Port Elizabeth 3,0 (3,0) and Durban 3,3 (2,5) (long-term averages in brackets). Read more
Buying your own Business/office/warehouse property instead of being a tenant
20 July 2010
The debate continues over whether or not it is better to own your own business premises or be a tenant and pay the landlord a monthly rental.
There are many factors in deciding which side you should be on and it is most certainly an informed and very important decision to be making considering that your rent is your largest if not second largest expense when running your company.
For a more in depth report on whether you should be renting or buying, Email us to see what we would suggest for your business.
We have financiers in place to assist you in purchasing your own office/building/warehouse should we feel that be the right decision for you. It is worth noting that your company should be at least five years old in order for us to approve finance for owning your own property.
Westlake Square office for sale
July 2010
Measuring just 93m² in the well sort after Westlake Square this small unit is for sale with two parking bays for just R 1.2 Million. For more pictures and details on the the unit please contact us
The driver of malls’ success turns the corner
JUNE 2010
Some cause for optimism for shopping-centre landlords has been the recovery in retail sales volumes over the past few months.
In March 2010, the yearly growth in real retail sales turned the corner — from contraction to expansion — by growing by 1%; this after 13 consecutive months of contracting sales volumes. Read more
Make the right property choice
“Effective use of property can increase profitability, attract quality staff, enhance your image and make your business more efficient and easy to run.”
We realize the importance of property to your business as it is an issue which impacts on every company in Cape Town. It is vital that businesses think about property issues and the effect that property – from use to location – has on competitiveness.
In Cape Town we are noticing significant change in the property market and any successful business cannot afford to ignore this key area.
For most companies property is the second highest business cost.
Commercial property usually represents over a third of total business assets;
and running costs can be the second highest cost after wages. Property is therefore key to business success: not only does it dominate your financial
statements, but it can also provide real competitive advantage through its location, the working and sales environments it provides, and
the image and profile it supports.
A lack of strategic awareness around property means that many companies have little knowledge of their property costs. Email Commercial Space for assistance with your property needs!
Email us or contact us on 021 685 3822 