This month we take a look at a number of important issues that affect property owners, including property valuations and trusts. We chat to Marcus Fenwick of Mazars Financial Services about the introduction of REITS and to Andrew Etzinger of IDM, Eskom, about the electricity price increases.

Involved in the real estate industry since 1972, Lew Geffen is undoubtedly one of the doyens in the business. Today, he is considered as one of South Africa’s leading experts in real estate. As chairman of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, Lew also holds directorships in other associated property and industry-related companies. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise to discover that he is not only an avid REIM reader and follower, he’s had REIM delivered directly to his home for a number of years.

The banking and financial system globally is under scrutiny as scandal after scandal rocks what we had always assumed was a trustworthy industry, solid as rock. But things have changed. There is little doubt that the irresponsible practice of securitisation and inter-bank lending brought about the global credit crunch.

Once investors understand how simple and cost-effective a trust can be, it becomes one of the greatest tools in their wealth creation armoury. Why use a trust? Of particular importance to property investors, a trust is a structure through which you can obtain more mortgage bonds than you would be able to in your personal name. Trusts, as separate legal entities, are not subject to the provisions of the National Credit Act.

Real estate investment managers should, ideally, keep abreast of the latest data across a wide spectrum of information within their property investment portfolio and, thanks to modern software, this is possible via a live (or real time) concept known as a dashboard.

Last month the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti, announced that foreign nationals will no longer be able to own land in South Africa once the Government’s new Land Policy is finalised and promulgated into law. The news has sent shockwaves amongst foreign nationals who already own property in South Africa, foreign investors and the property industry. These were not the only restrictions announced by the Minister which are sought to be introduced. In this article, I examine what these proposed Land Reforms will be and more specifically, the extent to which they will affect the foreign nationals’ ownership of property in South Africa.

Key Investor Tips From Karl: The property investment game is a marathon, not a 100 meter sprint…it requires patience and perseverance.

The 2013 Forbes Billionaire list now has an impressive 1, 426 names on it. The net worth of which is estimated at $5.4 trillion. The United States has 442 billionaires; Asia-Pacific has 386, Europe 366, The Americas 129 and the Middle East and Africa 103 billionaires. So what can you learn from them? Here are some key lessons from ten billionaires on earning money.