SA's in a recession. The first quarter of 2020 saw a 2% decline in GDP. The SA Reserve Bank expects the second quarter to show a whopping 32.6% decline in GDP.
This is a full blown recession, and to try and cushion the blow we're now seeing the lowest interest rates in SA's history.
The prime interest rate is at a mere 7.25% compared to 10% at the end of 2019. That means a repayment on a R... ››› more
Since 2018 I've been telling investors that this company is in trouble.
When I wrote about it in 2019, calling it Steinhoff 2.0, the share price was 862c. This week it was 59% lower at 352c.
But instead of fixing its problems this company has kicked up its ‘dodgy' dealings by a BIG notch…
Let's have a look.
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Three Penny Super... ››› more
In November's issue of the South African Investor, I warned readers about two types of “danger” shares lurking on the JSE.
One of these types is called the “High-Yielder”.
Simply these are shares that sit on suspiciously high dividend yields.
You've probably heard me speak about these “income-traps” before, but in the South African Investor, I went further and reveale... ››› more
If you hold property stocks, or one of the big four supermarket chains you need to listen up…
A major new finding by the Competition Commission is coming into effect, and it could have far reaching implications for these companies.
Let me show you in more detail.
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Is this the secret to becoming a stock market millionaire?
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The hunt for yield and aversion to risk is causing something we have never seen before.
Interest rates and bond yields are falling globally and have turned negative. You can get a home loan in Denmark at an interest rate of -0.50% per year fixed for 10 years. While we are still far away from that with real rates in positive territory, investors must be tactical in deploying capital.
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Q. "I refer to the article you wrote about REITs. I just want to ask the reasons for investing in REITs rather than just owning the property itself?"
A. Here are my top 3 reasons to invest in REITs.
Reason 1: Own property and earn returns by doing nothing
First, when you own a REIT stock, that's all the action you need to take in order to earn returns ... ››› more
Q. "I've seen that REITs have become widely spoken about in the news lately, since the Federal Reserve decided to cut the interest rates by 25 basis points to 2%. This has sparked my interest to look into investing in REITs. Timon could you explain briefly what a REIT is, how they work and why the drop in interest rates have attracted investors into buying them?”
A. REITs (pronounced R... ››› more
On 26 July 2019 the SA government's National Assembly pushed forward with expropriation without compensation plans. It established a committee to introduce legislation for amending our constitution. The recommendation was that the expropriation bill should be passed speedily to replace the existing 1975 apartheid-era expropriation act.
So, what does this mean for South African investors like y... ››› more
This week I received a message from a friend, P, saying: “Celebration time - we sold the property and took a big loss”
Usually you'd not celebrate when taking a big loss on an investment.
But in this case it is a good thing.
And as soon as I explain I hope you'll see that selling an investment at a loss isn't always losing…
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If you're in your mid-twenties or early thirties, chances are you're getting ready to buy your first house.
If you're a parent - you might be advising your kids on how to do this.
But this might just be a bad idea right now.
Don't get me wrong… I am an avid property investor.
And that's why I want to share with you this bit of advice…
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During its December conference the ANC vowed that, it would expropriate land and put it in the hands of the people.
The news is full of headlines like:
ANC NEC wants land expropriation 'urgently'
The ANC is making false promises of land expropriation
#Ramaphosa says ruling party is committed to land expropriation
And I can already see the pictures ... ››› more
If there's no cash in a business, it's dead. The most recent spectacular crash in Steinhoff shares is proof of that.
It is no different for property.
If your property doesn't generate a positive cash flow - the investment is dead in the water.
Choosing to lose money isn't a valid investment strategy
It's all too often that I hear investors say “I'm not making money on the property ... ››› more
I'm sure you've heard it before - but you make money on a property the day you buy it.
That's because a good price means the rental income yield will be attractive, and it means your selling price can be competitive - whilst still raking in a profit.
That's why your homework before buying a property - and the negotiation process to buy the property are the single most important things you ... ››› more
Over the past six years I've worked with many estate agents looking to manage my rental properties. And whenever it took time to fill up an empty apartment they'd tell me “the market is slow this time of year”.
They weren't all lying to me. Considering the post-2008 property market it hasn't been smooth sailing for anyone.
South Africa's economy is struggling and people are finding it ha... ››› more
I bought my first rental property at the age of 22. Luckily it turned out a great investment.
But since then I've learnt a lot.
Truth be told, there's a heap of things I wish someone had told me about when I first got started in property back then.
The time, the money it could've saved me... I sure as heck would have gone a lot further a lot faster if I'd had a clue about some things.
... ››› more
Consider this…
From 2013 to 2015, South Africa's listed property sector has achieved a 17% annual average return.
Over the same period, that's:
Five times more than what SA bonds returned
Three times more than what SA cash returned
3% better return than what SA equities has achieved
But the many investors who allocated a large portion of their wealth into listed property in 201... ››› more
“Francois, our neighbour wants to sell his house. We'd like to build a little property nest egg of our own. Should we buy his property?”
That's a question I received from a family member over the holidays.
I'm sure you've been faced with a similar situation.
Looking at a property that's for sale and wondering whether it would be a good idea to buy it and get started with your very own... ››› more
Over the past 10 years, the South African listed property sector has easily outperformed its peers.
Investors who've jumped on this rally early, would have made a fortune investing in JSE property companies.
But the smooth-sailing returns delivered by the commercial property market are coming to an end.
You see, listed property returns have halved for the last three years - 25.1% in 2... ››› more
Buying a house, renovating and then selling it (called "buy to flip") can be one of the most rewarding investments for property investors…
You buy an old home for say R1 million, spend R250,000 on renovations and then sell it for R1.6 million or more.
Most investors believe the biggest secret behind a buy to flip is getting the best deal on materials for your renovation.
That's the b... ››› more
I don't like having to look for new tenants, setting up rental contracts, or making sure payments have been made each month.
That's why I'm always on the lookout for opportunities to make my life easier.
And I've found just that.
Without dealing with an estate agent, or meeting up with a single person you can get:
Higher rental income than you currently get (7% on average)
Guaranteed ... ››› more
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