An elegant home

Private Property takes hands with George

It's official: the online platform Private Property has announced the conclusion of an exciting new deal that saw this industry-leading name undergo a change in ownership. A consortium of proudly South African buyers, spearheaded by media giant Caxton CTP, has taken over the reins of the property portal from the US-based OAM, a private equity controlled company. We are confident that the new partnership will produce truly exceptional results, and will continue to move from strength to strength.

With this in mind, George Herald and Private Property are pleased to inform all existing and new local estate agents and property clients that by 1 April, their listings will be searchable on the relevant Caxton newspaper website. For example, "Properties in George" will be searchable on the George

Herald website as well as on Private Property. We are currently working together to ensure that our clients receive only the very best in property advertising solutions, both digitally and in print.

Other buyers include industry participants who bring a considerable depth of expertise to the table. The deal was concluded with the assistance of the industry body Real Estate Business Owners of South Africa, and was approved by the Competitions Commission.

CEO of Private Property Simon Bray noted, "Private Property has grown strongly over the past three years, achieving excellent results as a digital platform, and now holds a significant position in the South African market. We are really pleased that we could conclude a deal that maintains our independence and affords us the opportunity to enhance the role that technology can play in the real estate industry."

Bray said that, for the industry, it ensures a vibrant, competitive environment with at least two big platforms offering advertising services. "This is good news for everybody. For Private Property, we get to keep doing what we are passionate about: building a great service for property shoppers."

Whether buying or selling, look no further than the George Herald and Private Property for all your real estate needs.

Hot off the press! Employees showing off Private Property are, front from left: Dawid Burger (printer), Maritza Terblanche (layout artist), Emsie Martin (Private Property editor) and Lizanne Schraader (Group Editors sales manager ). Back: Deon Joubert (Group Editors production manager), Lizette da Silva (George Herald editor) and Servaas de Kock (Group Editors sales and marketing director). Photo: Michelle Pienaar