Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa April 2016 | Page 36

WOMEN IN PROPERTY

Taking the

Property Market
by Storm
Sandra Woest
Please briefly detail your career up to your
current position?

I started with Henley Estates in 2013 working closely
with Andrew Taylor, our current Vice Chairman
at Henley & Partners, learning and expanding my
knowledge of the international property market. I
studied law and since my second year, doing Property
law, I’ve had an extensive interest in real estate
investment. Henley Estates merged with Henley &
Partners last year and I am now a senior manager
advising clients on Citizenship- and/or Residence-byInvestment where one can acquire a second passport
by investing in the right country, and most of the time
in property.

What is your investment philosophy?

I would have to say it is that a property investment can
be much more than just the purchase of an immovable
asset. It can makes you and your family more mobile
in future. Whether it is because you can liquidise and
use the profits or whether you can combine and secure
an asset that gives mobility and security, such as a
second passport. A residential property is for most
people the biggest investment they will ever make.
We in the industry need to understand how personal
and important this is for every client. With everything
going on in the world; stocks tumbling and unstable
currencies, property still remains the most secure
investment.

What opportunities do you foresee in your
sector/industry in South Africa

South Africa is seen as the gateway to Africa and
still the most desired destination in Africa. We have
huge economic opportunities in SA and property
development companies are spending billions on new
developments. There is a huge demand for property,
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APRIL 2016 SA Real Estate Investor

not only housing, but hospitality and commercial
too. I have clients who are top international property
investors and speaking to them, they are very
positive about investing in South Africa with a lot
of new, planned and running developments such
as hotel, luxury apartment living and commercial
developments.

SANDRA’S TOP FIVE
INVESTMENT TIPS

1 Decide what your main objective is. Long or short term
growth, rental income potential, residential or commercial
property, etc.
2 Look at the history as well as future of the location and
environment where property is situated
3 Research other factors positive and negative that can
influence the future value and potential income such as
new shopping centres, schools, new businesses, access to
national roads as well as safety factors. These will also
assist not to over capitalize in a certain area
4 When consi \