Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa October 2015 | Page 26

POWERFUL WOMEN IN PROPERTY

Linda
Erasmus
of Fine & Country
Local start, global success
BY MONIQUE TERRAZAS

T

he first South African woman who successfully
launched an international real estate brand in
South Africa, Linda Erasmus is the owner and
Chief Group Executive of Fine and Country South
Africa, as well as the owner of the Fine & Country
Constantia and V&A Waterfront, and part-owner of
Fine & Country Sandton.
With more than two decades of experience in the
property industry, Linda is certainly one of the most
experienced women in the sector.
In 1986 Linda, a qualified radiographer, changed
career and set out to become an estate agent. She joined
Johannesburg’s Oriain Estates and sold 52 houses in
her second year of being an agent, earning the first of
many “Top Sales Agent – Most Units sold’awards.
In 1990, Linda moved on to Seeff Residential
Properties. She bought the Randburg Seeff franchise
in 1996, and the Seeff Plettenbergbay and Knysna
franchises soon after. She won Seeff ’s trophy for
National Franchise of the Year for three consecutive
years, followed by the prestigious international 5-star
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OCTOBER 2015 SA Real Estate Investor

Platinum Award for the Best South African Estate
Agent in 2002. During this time, Linda exhibited at
the International Homes Exhibitions in the UK and
received the 4-star Platinum Award for Best South
African Agent.
After being headhunted in 2005 to bring the UK’s
Fine & Country brand to South African shores, Linda
opened 30 offices in one year. Today, there are 50 wellsupported, established Fine & Country offices across
the country.
Property advice from fine & country
• Always start with the property you intend living
in - it is also an investment.
• The golden rule is to repay the bond on the
property you live in first and foremost. From there
you can become more adventurous with your
money.
www.reimag.co.za