Link: http://www.property24.com

Everybody wants a huisie by die see that they can tootle off to in December or even over long weekends and regard as an investment that will save and make them money in the long-run.

But with the after-effects of the recession still lingering and household debt burdens stubbornly high, this prospect seems like a distant hope to most middle class folk and even to a lot of high-income earners.

But is it really? And how viable is a coastal property from an investment point of view?

Property24 investigated some of the hotspots along the coast of SA to find out exactly what these properties cost, how the property markets in the areas are faring, if they really are out of reach and what market dynamics are at play in these areas.

Graham Anley, broker/owner of RE/MAX Coastal, which serves the coastal holiday towns on the Garden Route stretching from Wilderness through Sedgefield, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay to Natures Valley, says these areas have been particularly hard-hit by the downturn in the economy.

He explains that this is because these areas are mainly holiday resort towns where the market predominantly consists of luxury holiday homes. “Sales volumes are down dramatically and prices achieved are generally down to levels experienced in 2006,” he says.

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Link: http://www.sthelenahospice.co.za

HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE WEEK

Palliative care awareness week 2-9 May 2010.
We had tables with bookmarks and tins at Pick and Pay and at the Weskus Mall on designated times during the week.

The aims of Hospice Week
To share our vision of increasing the availability of hospice and palliative care throughout the world by strengthening the network with our strategic partners to enable us to share the provision of holistic care to patients and families.

To raise awareness and understanding of medical, social, practical, spiritual needs of people living with life threatening illness.
To raise funds to support and develop hospice and palliative care services around the world.

The theme.
“Sharing the care”
This theme highlights the role of partnership to support care for people with life threatening illnesses.

The activities on this week seek to recognize, share and celebrate the achievements of hospice and palliative care programs with their partners throughout the nation. Hospice week will also highlight how good working partnership between family members, carers, service providers, funders, government departments and other stake holders are vital to the provision of quality care.

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Link: http://www.property24.com

The slowing trend in house price growth seems to have a foothold in the residential market and potential sellers who think they will hold out for hot prices face certain disappointment.

According to the latest Absa House Price Index for July the average nominal house price growth has dipped across all price ranges except small houses and this trend shows no signs of abating.

Jacques du Toit, property strategist at Absa, said the average nominal value of small, medium and large houses for which Absa approved mortgage finance, increased by a weighted 11,9% year-on-year (y/y) in July. Nominal house price growth of 13,2% y/y and 13,7% y/y was recorded in June and May respectively.

The average price of a middle-segment house came to about R1,065,200 in July.

After adjustment for the effect of inflation, i.e. in real terms, middle-segment home values were up by 8,6% y/y in June (up a real 8,7% y/y in May), based on consumer price inflation slowing down to 4,2% in June from 4,6% y/y in May.

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Link: http://www.property24.com

It has been a bitterly cold winter.

The temperatures have regularly been on the wrong side of freezing, and the sun has generally set by the time I leave the office. The result is that when I get home in the evenings, the first thing I do is switch on every light and heater available, switch on the electric blanket, and start cooking a nice warm meal on the stove.

With all these appliances and lights burning, it got me thinking about the importance of using energy efficient appliances and lighting. I hope to unpack the latter in this article.

A "normal light bulb" is also known as an incandescent light bulb. These are the bulbs that we all grew up with that have a very thin filament inside a glass sphere. They typically come in sizes like "60 watt," "75 watt” and so on.

The basic idea behind these industrial-age bulbs is simple. Electricity runs through the filament and because the filament is so thin, it offers resistance to the electricity, and this resistance turns electrical energy into heat. There is enough heat to make the filament white-hot, and white-hot equals light.

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Link: http://www.leadsa.co.za

Our country has just finished hosting the biggest sporting event in the world and if there's one thing that stood out, it was our Ubuntu, our warmth and our leadership. The question on our minds is how to keep growing that spirit of unity and respect for one another. Lead SA is an initiative that aims to to remind us that it is in our power to change ourselves and our country, that we all have the ability to lead. It's up to you to Stand Up for South Africa and our future.

Lead SA is a Primedia Broadcasting initiative, supported by Independent Newspapers, that aims to highlight the achievements of the nation and celebrate the efforts of ordinary South Africans who continually seek to do the right thing for themselves, for their families and for their country.
Lead SA encourages individuals to stand up and accept responsibility for the challenges they face. The Lead SA initiative is a long term project that is set to be rolled out over the next few years. Through the small steps of individuals the nation will improve and prosper.

The ability to change your life and your country is in your hands. Rather than feeling helpless, Lead SA encourages you to feel hopeful about your future and play an active part in unlocking the potential of your country. South Africa is filled with passionate people and the nation’s achievements are endless, but we need you to use your leadership potential and move the nation forward.

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