Women in real estate have their say

This Women's Month, we chatted to three of Jawitz's most successful property consultants and asked them to share their thoughts on their careers in real estate, their advice for women entering the property market and their hopes for the women of South Africa. Rene Kern, Sandra Luntz and Shirley-Ann van Rensburg gave us the lowdown.

Juggling the responsibilities of career and family

One of the long-stated advantages of the real estate profession is that, with clever time management and prioritisation, it's possible to be both a family woman and a career woman. "Working at Jawitz allows me to juggle the responsibilities of being a mother, running a home and advancing my career," explains Luntz. "Real estate hours, though long, are not cast in stone."

Van Rensburg adds that having flexible working hours has made all the difference. "This allows me to plan my days strategically - although it isn't easy, and sometimes a day will turn out completely different from what I planned." She stresses the importance of adapting quickly and learning to "just go with it."

Kern points out that all real estate agents are in the business of people, and that naturally, family comes first. "Being an estate agent allows me to be a mom, a career person and a good juggler," she quips.

Tips and advice for women starting out in real estate

The learning curve in real estate is steep, and our women in the know provided newcomers with some practical advice and pointers. According to van Rensburg, the secret to her success is being genuine and authentic. "Building trust is one of the most important aspects of your relationships with clients," she explains. "People connect with people that they trust and like, so just be yourself - and set yourself goals big enough to scare you!

Kern adds that since this career is not for the faint-hearted, those beginning a career in real estate should be prepared for long hours. "There may be no income in the first three or four months, so if you're in a position to do so, plan for this," she advises. Kern also speaks about the importance of having a mentor. "When I started out, Shirley-Ann mentored me and then threw me in the deep end when she knew I was ready. It's now almost three years later, and we have an exceptionally successful business partnership."

For Luntz, organisation, delegation, preparation and hard work are the keys to success in real estate. "You need to be tenacious and persevere in this industry, and you need to be able to dig deep and find grit," she comments. "You'll need to build yourself a good name and a strong brand through networking and marketing."

Recommendations for a single woman looking to buy property

We asked the three ladies what their recommendations would be for a single woman looking to buy property, either for herself or for her and her children. Kern points out that it's about being practical, especially if you're a mom. "Security is key," she comments, "and the area needs to be practical from a point of view of school, traffic and work. A family-friendly complex is a huge advantage, especially when the kids make friends and can play all day."

Luntz points out that an apartment block often offers 24.7 professional security, a lock-up-and-go lifestyle and great value. "With the interest rates currently the lowest that they have been in almost 50 years, why would one rent when one can own?" she asks.

For van Rensburg, the fact that buying a property means investing in an asset that will grow over time is key. "Before you buy, establish what all your monthly costs will be and research several areas. Chat to neighbours to see what kind of environment you'll be living in," she advises. "Look for a property that you can grow into in terms of size if your budget allows for it."

Change for South African women

Lastly, we asked each of these property professionals to give us their thoughts on what needs to change for the women of our rainbow nation. With violence against women in South Africa at unacceptable levels, Luntz believes that boys need to be taught from an early age to respect women. "Women need to realise that they are good enough and that they are valuable just by virtue of being themselves," she comments. Van Rensburg echoes this sentiment, explaining that women tend to be very hard on themselves. "We somehow believe that we must do it all, and often on our own. Trust your heart and be kinder to yourself," she advises. Kern comments that she would like to see more female leaders in various industries. "We need more community initiatives like "bring a girl to work day" to empower the next generation of women.

Kern, Luntz and van Rensburg have one thing in common: they are committed to helping you find the property that's right for every woman in their respective areas. What's more, their mission is echoed by the strong women of Jawitz Properties in every corner of our beautiful country. Contact any of them today and start your real estate journey.