Office on a Christmas note

 

Dave and Mark having fun at the Toti Christmas Party

 

The end of a better year for Agents and Mc Naught and Co.



Brad sang us some songs



Ian and Patrick ran the Bar



Kate-Lynn celebrated her 22 birthday at the party




Dave's son Mark (left) joined sister Kate-Lynn helping out. Dane, Ronel and Llewellyn say cheers



Patrick and Mark talk to local Agents



Mc Naught and Co Staff take time out, including Dave's mom (right) with Mark's Fiance Lisa and Val, Tracey and Sharon



Mc Naught and Co and everyone in the property industry saw a better year with the World Cup football keeping optimism in the market on a high and falling interest rates boosting sales and bond registrations. 

Thanks to all for making this a great year and here's to an even better 2011. Seasons Greetings and may your Christmas with family be joyous.



Chinese property projects inspire

Property developers in Sanya, China, are capturing the imagination of celebrities and stars with the futuristic Phoenix development on an island linking the city with the ocean terminal.

Dave viewed the development last week while accompanying his partner on a Specavers South Africa conference held in the south China sea. The creativity and energy of the Chinese is amazing ... developers in South Africa should take note with work on the buildings also carrying on into the night. 

Mark and Dave now Notaries Public

At the High Court in Pietermaritzburg today, both Mark and Dave were enrolled to practice as Notaries Public.

When Mark wrote the exam for the first time last year, Dave said that on a re-write of the exam he would also pull out the study books and after a gap of 20 years would see if he could take the higher qualification and become a Notary Public.

Mark joined Tracey from our office with the distinction of recording the highest mark in KwaZulu-Natal in their respective exams and Dave was also one of only 3 who passed the exam. The admission was then set down for hearing in the High Court at Pietermaritzburg where the full bench of the Court accepted their application to be enrolled as Notaries.

It's Birthday time again

Dave lights up too many candles on the cake!

The Mercury Wine Week is an annual event at the same time as Dave's birthday, so a good way to celebrate. Dave (right) with Llewellyn, and Chris and Gavin of Tyson's Properties.

Check us out on Google Street view

Google Maps have extended their street view data to South Africa. Now you can not only find us on Google Maps, but you get a street view of our offices too.

Click on the link above then select the office you want to view. Under the bubble on the map click on more and select "Street View" ... isn't this awesome!!!

World Cup boost

South Africa has earned itself a shot in the arm with the World Cup football and we have been delighted to be a part of the action with the exciting events here in Durban leading up to the Round 16 game and semi-final this month. This will hopefully keep the property market buoyant and already the confidence is showing in increased sales.

The office staff were getting into the 2010 swing of things with support for our Bafana Bafana team and are sad to see us out of the World Cup now. Click to check out Dave's World Cup blog here.

Welcome to Patrick

The Toti office welcomes Patrick Forbes, who is completing his Articles with Mc Naught and Company.

Patrick is a Michaelhouse scholar who finished his LLB law degree at Rhodes University; he played hockey for Eastern Province and Water Polo for SA u16, taught in the UK and Vietnam and worked on yachts in the Caribbean before returning to South Africa.

Bluff bowlers

Bowls: Staff members Sharon (left) and Val (right) are the bowling girls of the office and here they pose with Val’s veteran’s trophy at a recent competition—we are sure that “veteran” must be the 80 years old category, as Val is rolling in that direction fast.

New Electronic service reporting

We've had an age-long tradition of sending out our "Service Satisfaction" red cards to clients after we have completed legal work. This envisages the client completing a "smiley face" if satisfied with our service excellence and return this postcard post-free to us.

The electronic age has caught up with us and it is no longer convenient for clients to pop our card into a post-box... voila our new Service Satisfaction email rating system. All clients have to do is click on a link in an email we send them and this calls up the electronic rating system, enabling them to quickly rate our firm's service and at the same time see an average posted by other clients of the firm.

Are you Satisfied?

Thank you for the recent opportunity of being of service. I like to know when clients are satisfied or impressed with our service or if there are any ways in which we can improve. Your time in telling us would be appreciated. Simply rate our service in the box below and if you like, please feel free to drop me an email at adlawza@msn.com after rating us. Dave Mc Naught

Click here to go to our Home page and read the latest Mc Naught and Co. news.

Bafana Bafana take on Mexico

One would be mistaken in thinking our SA National Football team, Bafana Bafana, were not the world favourites to win today as they take on Mexico in the opening game of the World Cup.

I have never seen so many yellow shirts in South Africa on one day... everyone - uniting the nation - are showing their colours for Bafana Bafana and South African flags are everywhere.

Fridays have been the days South Africans and schoolchildren have been allowed to show their support by wearing a Bafana shirt to school or work. In the photos from top to bottom are images painted on a garden wall just up the road from my Guesthouse showing Bafana Bafana in action, a handwritten message in wet concrete, my office staff gearing up for the opening game today, and a self-pic of myself in my car on the way to work. GO BAFANA GO!

New Partnership

Recently admitted Attorney and Conveyancer Mark Leathers is now a partner at Mc Naught and Company. Welcoming Mark to the hot seat at the Bluff office, Dave Mc Naught congratulated Mark on a position well deserved and hoped that under the dual leadership the firm would continue to grow from strength to strength. “This is particularly so as we emerge from the recession and work hard to reap the rewards of our 2010 strategy giving clients our well-respected ‘hands-on’ approach to conveyancing” Dave said.

Looking after clients

Snapped at a function recently Mc Naught and Co's new partner Mark Leathers with his fiancee' Lisa prepare a scruptious meal for clients.

New King Shaka Airport opens

The 30th April 2010 and 1st May 2010 marked incredible milestones for Durban and exciting times ahead. On the 30th April the Durban International Airport closed and the next day the 3x larger King Shaka International Airport saw the first passenger planes landing.

On the scene to record the events, Dave and his daughter Kate-Lynn watched the last plane landing and had some fun at the deserted terminal check-in desks. The next day it was off to the new Airport to again record aviation history in the making as the entire airport was shifted to the new venue.

GO DURBAN GO. We are sure to see a huge boost in confidence in the Province and an influx of tourists particularly after the 2010 Fifa World Cup taking place in less than 30 days.

26th Birthday Lunch Cruise

It's Mc Naught and Company's 26th Birthday and as we sail into our 27th year, we take a few friends and family with us...

On board the "Jolly Roger" we enjoyed a simple cruise around Durban's Harbour and enjoyed some lunch.. which we fortunately ate before the boat cruised out to sea and we were all tossed up and down.

In the photos are friends from Re/Max, Pam Golding, Tysons and Aida with Dave's son Mark manning the bar and in the last picture staff Patrick and Mark - Mark recently qualified as an Attorney and Conveyancer - watch this space for more news about his future in the firm.

2010 Budget Speech

New Finance minister Pravin Gordhan has delivered his maiden budget speech.

The 2010 budget speech has come and gone. Like most people, I would agree that it does not make the most interesting reading, but it does affect each and everyone of us.

We have saved all the pain of trying to see what is in store for the year ahead, and hi-lighted the most salient points in the Minister's speech.

From a property perspective, there is no change to current transfer duty rates nor any additional taxes or rebates on property.

Moderate relief on income tax has been granted as well as a small increase in the primary tax rebate to R10,260.00 per annum.

Those who enjoy smoking and drinking however will feel the heat as taxes on cigarettes and alcohol have been increased significantly. A further disappointing item in the budget speech is an increase of 22.5 cents per litre in the fuel tax, a large portion of this going to fill a seemingly bottomless pit that is the Road Accident Fund.

Overall, the budget showed no major reforms, and the additional taxes on fuel with electricity hikes enroute mean that it will be a tough year for South Africans. Wise investing and tight budgeting will be the order of the day.

Mc Naught and Company are fully equipped to advise you on the most tax efficient practices for the coming year as well as to ensure that you are fully protected in any business dealings you may get into.

Book your consultation here.

New Home owners - Check faults within 24 Hours

Against this backdrop of increasing new homeowners and the fast pace at which property is being built today, many consumers are not taking the time to inspect their new homes during the crucial period of moving in - often to the detriment of their properties long term value.

Many new homeowners often do not know what is expected of them and in turn do not inspect their house correctly during this crucial window period. After making a big financial contribution towards the building process, the last thing that you want is a property that is less than perfect. To ensure that new homeowners fully empower themselves during this process, follow the following tips:

Check all sanitary ware in your new home - particularly your bathrooms. Look for scratches, chipping or discolouration on the bath. A contractor cannot reasonably be held accountable for faults arising after 24hrs of use.

Inspect all glass for cracks and scratches.

Review all floor and wall tiles. Also check splashbacks which are designed to protect walls from grease and cooking splatters, as well as liquid or water splashes from the sink area.

Ensure that the extras you have ordered have been fitted.

Check that all services are operating properly.

Use the provided keys to ensure that all locks are working and ensure that duplicates are handed to you.
Test that all windows and doors operate correctly.

Electrics should also not be ignored. Check your electrical distribution board, test the earth leakage, and distinguish between water cylinders and main electrical switches.

When it comes to the exterior and garden area, keep in mind the following:

Check to make sure that the boundaries are correctly and visibly marked – and that the garden area is clear of all debris.
Verify that all garden soil, paths and driveways adjoining the house are at least 150mm below the damp proof course, which is normally situated at floor level.

If any of the above is not satisfactory you must inform your builder in writing. You may be asked to sign a form stating that you have inspected the work and that everything is in order. This is a reasonable request given that the time to report a crack in a pane of glass, or a chip in the bath, has to be on the date of entry.

Mc Naught and Company, as specialist property attorneys and conveyancers, are able to advise you fully of your rights and obligations in purchasing a new property.

Mc Naught and Co take Bluff agents to new heights

Thursday last week saw Mc Naught and Company joining Amanzimtoti estate agents in getting going for 2010 with a visit to the new Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Today saw estate agents from the Bluff as well mortage originators in the area taking a trip to new heights. We all see the infrastructure development in Durban as a boost to the property market going forward.

Mc Naught and Company are revved up to take hands with our partners in the industry and make 2010 a bigger success than any year before with previously unsees service excellence!

Thank you to Acutts Bluff, Chelin's Real Estate, Dormehl Properties Bluff, Re/Max Advance, Seeff Bluff and Bond Choice for joining us in this unique experience

Durban Stadium 2010 - here we come

It's a great start to 2010 and the buzz in South Africa is the Fifa 2010 World Cup Football which takes place during June and July this year.

Confidence in the economy and the property market is being lifted by the event and here to celebrate at the new Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban are from top to bottom, Colin (Mc Naught and Co) with George Hardenberg (Huizemark Real Estate), Dave Mc Naught (on his way up in the Stadium Skycar) and Agents from the Amanzimototi area who see the Stadium as a boost to the economy and property industry in Durban.

Mc Naught's celebrate 21

Dave gets ready for daughter Kate-Lynn's 21st Birthday with a Rubic's Cube theme... everyone needs to dress in the 6 colours of the cube then swop clothing with other guests to end up all one colour. Should be loads of fun.