While most sectors continue taking major blows owing to the current economic downturn, local estate agents and developers continue to hold their sector above water, aiding in the growth of the sector through property deals financed through Standard Bank.
These were some of the sentiments that were shared by Standard Bank’s Head of Personal and Business Banking, Mercia Geises, during the Bank’s annual Estate Agents Awards held the Safari Court on Saturday, 11 November.
“It has been a pleasure working with all of you for this past year, we have had a great year and we are very pleased to be celebrating one of our most successful business units,” Geises said.
She further praised them for being the “work horses” of the sector, pointing out that they put on many hats such as that of a counsellor, advocate and negotiator (to name a few) just to ensure that they meet the unique needs of each client.
“A good agent must have the tenacity to pursue every lead, and they should also have honesty and integrity… They should also be self-motivated entrepreneurs,” Geises said explaining the unique qualities possessed by the winners of the night.
Standard Bank’s Head of Home Loans, Randy Slabbert, also commended the agents and developers, pointing out that the Bank achieved a 34% year on year growth in both the volume and value of new business generated, and that this achievement would not have been possible without their support and commitment.
There was a 70% year on year increase in the cumulative sales value achieved for the Top Five Estate Agents nationally, whilst a similar trend was evident relating to the Top Five Estate Agencies, where a year on year growth of 90% was achieved. Both the top performing Estate Agent of the Year, and the Estate Agency of the Year, generated business in access of N$50 million. He stressed that Standard Bank highly values the relationship between itself and the estate agents’ fraternity, and hopes it reaches greater heights in years to come.
The winning agents were subdivided into various categories, while the overall winners were awarded with an all-expenses paid trip to Bali, Indonesia.
The Bank also hosted a similar Estate Agents Award ceremony at the coastal town of Swakopmund recently.