NORBERT SASSE
TOP FIVE INVESTMENT TIPS
NORBERT SASSE
Australia. Sasse said Growthpoint Australia was on track to achieve strong earnings and distribution growth. In contrast, the South African market remained difficult, according to Sasse.“ There are many headwinds in the domestic market. I believe that we are managing them well, however, I admit it is tough here,” he said.
“ Business confidence is low and, most notably, the retail market has come under new pressure. Consumers have become weaker, and there is too much new stock coming on to the market. SA is currently overshopped,” he said.
Growthpoints eco-friendly e bikes takes the company’ s environmental innovation beyond its buildings and into the streets, connecting people and places, and creating a valuable, much-needed resource for all Sandton Central’ s businesses, residents and visitors.
The Greenovate Awards are also intended to act as a feeder programme for potential Growthpoint graduates and internships, allowing Growthpoint to recruit students who have a good understanding on the subject of sustainability- a focus area of major importance to Growthpoint.
Students from the University of Cape Town walked away with the first-ever first prize in the Greenovate Awards. As part of their prize, Rowan McKenzie, Dijon Ross and Miekie van der Merwe, have been fully sponsored to attend the GBCSA’ s Green Building Convention in 2016, taking place from 26 to 28 July, at Sandton Convention Centre, where they will present their research project.
The success of last year’ s Greenovate competition has seen it grow to include the University of the Free State and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2016. The intention is to take the awards programme to all South African universities with the appropriate built environment faculties.
Australian Investment Growthpoint Properties are continuing their focus on growing their existing investment in Australia. Says Sasse,“ We have looked throughout Europe including countries such as Romania, Poland and the UK and we continue to do so. I find Australia is currently very attractive, and there may be more opportunities there”.
Growthpoint already has significant exposure to Australia through its subsidiary, Growthpoint
Growthpoint’ s existing shopping centres were facing competition from new malls, he said.
Often customers would leave existing malls to experience the new ones as soon they opened, as they were attracted by hype and opening specials, which immediately reduced turnover. These customers could then return to their regular centres later on.
Sasse said that, nevertheless, middle-income and upper-income shoppers at its centres were resilient. Cape Town retail was also performing well, especially at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, of which Growthpoint owns 50 %.
“ We will look at all opportunities that come our way,” he said.
Many South African funds have bought properties or created joint ventures with property companies in eastern and central Europe in the past couple of years. The cost of funding has been lower there than in SA, and yields have been more attractive, with deals being earnings-accretive immediately. This has boosted distribution payouts.
TOP FIVE INVESTMENT TIPS
• Buy listed property
• Get some offshore exposure
• Diversification
• Don’ t fall in love with your investments
• Nobody ever went broke taking a profit
•( leave something on the table for the next investor)
RESOURCES
Edison Power Group
10 AUGUST 2016 SA Real Estate Investor www. reimag. co. za