Real estate franchise up for grabs

CENTURY 21 is offering three franchises, each worth R200,000, in a competition aimed at boosting the ailing industry.

According to recent reports the country's multibillion rand property market has already lost 55,000 registered estate agents and dozens of small agencies have been bought out by larger firms since mid-2006.

Of the 90,000 estate agents in boom times only 35,000 remain.

Andrew Golding, chief executive of Pam Golding Estates, recently told a business publication that as far as consolidation was concerned, small agencies did not have the capacity or infrastructure to survive in the challenging market environment, and thus either dropped out of the market or were taken over.

But on Wednesday CENTURY 21 managing director Colleen Gray said: “Difficult market conditions call for innovative solutions and we believe the competition will make a difference.”

CENTURY 21 spokeswoman Lindie Bow said people entering the competition had to be older than 21-years of age and registered with Estate Agents Affairs Board.

“They must go to www.century21.co.za, complete an entry form and explain why they see themselves as a suitable candidate ... it's as easy as that,” she said.

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