Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa September 2016 | Page 14

COVER STORY

Why is Property

so popular?
Property against shares – how does performance stack up?
BY NEALE PETERSEN

T

he debate on whether property is a better asset
class than shares is a debate that will probably go
on for decades. The question should be, which
asset class can give you the best returns and match your
investment style. Both asset classes have their distinct
advantages and disadvantages. Property pundits would
always say that there is no safer investment than bricks
and mortar. Share pundits will tell you that shares have
made more millionaires in a shorter space of time than
any other asset class. Both have their diehard supporters
and promoters who each have their own set of statistics
to prove that one asset is better than the other. Both
asset classes are pushed by vested interests in each.
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SEPTEMBER 2016 SA Real Estate Investor

There are a number of people that feed off property
investments from agents, banks, brokers, auctioneers,
attorneys and government for example.
The question is, which asset class is best for you and
why? We look at all the options and seek to find answers
for yield seeking investors. The soft argument is to
keep all of your eggs in one basket and keep a balance
between property, shares and cash. Listed property is
probably one way you can get the best of both worlds,
ie: investing in shares which own multiple property
portfolios in commercial and residential sectors both
locally and abroad.
www.reimag.co.za