SANDI HARRISON PASSION FOR THE JOB DRIVES THIS AGENT:

THIS week’s agent of the week is Sandi Harrison from Pam Golding Properties PE.

How long have you been in the property market?

For the last 25 years, during which I have been awarded the prestigious Gold Club agent status numerous times.

What made you decide to become an estate agent and what did you do before entering the profession?

After working for some years for my father in the administrative side of his construction company, I needed a new challenge. Choosing a career in real estate made sense, owing to my background and experience in the construction industry as well as my passion for property and dealing with people. My father supported this, saying that if ever Pam Golding Properties came to PE, that was the company to join. I took his advice and have never looked back.

What qualifications do you have?

In keeping with the industry’s current requirements, I am NQF 4 qualified.

What is the most frustrating part of being an estate agent?

One of the frustrations is taking a market-related offer to a seller, who declines it in the hope of achieving a higher offer. Then, months down the line, the seller ends up selling for less than he would have. I’m not only frustrated for the seller whose property spent an unnecessarily long period of time on the market, but also for the buyer, who loved the property and would have been a perfect fit.

What has been the most satisfying experience that you have had as an estate agent?

There are many of these, which is why I love this career. Every time I match a buyer with their dream home, I feel a huge sense of satisfaction. And it’s the same when I sell a property and the sellers can move on with the next phase of their lives. It is so rewarding that I have clients who have been with me for years, some having concluded five or six transactions through me.

What advice would you give to first-time buyers with regard to affordability and what their best buy would be?

Buy in the best area you can afford, even if the house does not have everything you want. You can always build on but you cannot improve the area. And remember that you do not have to do everything at once. Part of the fun and the excitement of buying a home is upgrading it as and when time and money allow.

What advice would you give to ensure that they don’t lose their property when the interest rates go up?

Do not stretch yourself to the limit of your affordability at the time of purchase. Allow a buffer for interest rate increases, which are an inevitable part of the property cycle. And while it’s tempting to want the kitchen and bathrooms redone as soon as possible, work out a budget and stick to it, even if you have to make do for a

year or two.

Move or improve: what is the best option?

It honestly depends on your personal circumstances. If you have bought in a good area, and the property lends itself to upgrading both financially and structurally, it’s probably best to improve. If you need to be closer to schools or work, or if you have got your eye on a better area, or if your existing property is limited in terms of how it can be extended or improved, it is time to move.

What is the most expensive house you have ever sold?

R10-million.

And the cheapest?

R63 000 for a bachelor flat during my first year in real estate.

How would you compare the property industry in PE to the rest of the province?

PE is no longer a ‘Cinderella’ city. Our property prices are competing strongly with those in East London and we have become a destination of choice for people wanting to trade life in the big cities for a more relaxed coastal lifestyle.

What is the average price for property in the suburbs that you specialise in?

From R1.5-million to R2.5million, depending on the address and the type of property. There is really something for everyone in Walmer.

In which areas can one find bargains when looking for options to buy?

I think it is important to define a bargain. For me, the measure of a bargain is the price you pay today compared to what you will sell for in a few years’ time. It is not necessarily about paying R10 000 or R100 000 less than the asking price, it is about the property’s performance as a longer-term investment.

Do you give advice on how to obtain a bond?

I always recommend that my clients deal with ooba, South Africa's leading home loan originator. Ooba submits loan applications to all the major banks and has the influence and ability to ensure a high rate of approval and at the best interest rate.

Buying or renting: which is the better option at present? And why?

Buying – if you buy well – ensures long-term capital growth as well as a secure roof above your head and the freedom to personalise your home. I have always viewed renting as a stepping stone to home ownership rather than a long-term solution.

Do you feel that the property market has turned the corner?

I do not think it is about turning the corner as much being at a point in real estate’s inevitable cycle of peaks and troughs where price growth is positive and sustainable, and where correctly priced stock is moving well.

What do you do to relax?

I love walking around Walmer with my miniature Schnauzer, Lily. We will be outside Walmer Park Shopping Centre this Saturday morning raising money for the Animal Anti-Cruelty League, which is an organisation very close to my heart.