Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa August 2015 | Page 27

R

etha Schutte, regional executive for Pam
Golding Properties in Pretoria, started her
property journey 19 years ago as a sales agent at
Pam Golding Properties (PGP). Previous to that, she
was in advertising.
Retha established the rental division for the PGP
Pretoria branch before she was offered the position of
Sales Manager at the Pretoria branch. She then worked
her way up, first becoming the Branch Manager
and then Regional Sales Manager for Pretoria and
Centurion. Today, Retha is the Regional Executive
of Pretoria, including Pretoria East, North, Moot,
Montana, Centurion and Bronkhorstspruit.

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Where it all started
Retha’s journey in the property investment industry
started when she spotted and acted on an opportunity
she identified in the market. “I started as a sales agent
in the Willows, Murrayfield and Lynnwood Ridge
area. The interest rate was at 24% and the properties
were not selling. However, at the same time, I was
receiving a lot of requests from corporate clients for
long-term rentals. I started the process of negotiating
rental contracts with the sellers and concluded many
successful leases. Most of the sellers found the return
on their investment so attractive that they continued
to rent their properties instead of selling it!” says
Retha. “As a result, I started the rental division in Pam
Golding Properties. Through the years I built up a large
database of investors that I continue to assist with their
property portfolios. Some of these investors started
with one property and have as many as 10 investment
properties today.”
Immediate success
Retha’s own first property investment is also a great
success story. “I bought my first investment property
in New Muckleneuk at a time when the area was not
desirable. I purchased the flat for R72, 000 and today
the property is worth R480, 000. I have not had a
month during which my property stood empty in eight
years,” explains Retha. “I financed the property with
a bond, which I managed to pay off in five years as
a result of the high rental I was achieving