The Hills Estate - February 2021

THE | ESTATE NEWS

THE

ECHO I S S U E 1 | FE BRUA R Y 2 0 2 1

Thank you Evert von Zwietring for this beautiful photo taken in the Estate

ESTATE NEWS | THE

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interfaces ‘on-the-fly’.

CO N TEN TS

MODEL LINE-UP & PRICING

• Prado 2.8L Diesel TX - from R958 700

P u b l i sh e r • Prado 4.0L Petrol VX - from R1 049 600 K-S t udio (P t y ) Ltd • Prado 2.8L Diesel VX - from R1 081 800 • Prado 4.0L Petrol VX-L - from R1 094 100 o n behalf of T he H i l l s E sta te 2.8L Diesel VX-L - from R1 127 900 • Prado The model line-up and 4.0 V6 engine

A d ve rti si n g S al es remain unchanged.

Tobia to bia@ k-st udio. co . za

ISSUE 1 | FEBRUARY 2021 JUNE 2018

C alv in sales3@k-st udio . co . za sales2@k-st udio . co . za

Hilux) has received a raft of upgrades a new ball-bearing turbocharger with turbine and impeller, and improved Ed i to r gidity and cooling. Better fuel economy Zwiet r i n g d through optimisedTobia pistons von and piston anges to the cylinder block and head, uel-injection flow rate and the adoption Copy w te rexhaust / p ro o f r eader performance materials forrithe . A newly-fitted balance shaft helps C hantel Venter out engine vibrations, improving NVH gn & La you t nce and contributing toDe ansieven higher f refinement.

K-S t udio (P t y ) Ltd

e tobia@ k-st udio . co . za t 082 962 825 5 f Kreat iefS t ud i o

05 08 12 14

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

15

USE ROSES AS BEE MAGNETS FOR YOUR VEGGIE GARDEN

20 22 26

SMALLS/ CLASSIFIEDS

30 34 39 42

COLOUR TRENDS FOR 2021

45 48

ESTATE PHOTOS

Bush Breaks the kids will LOVE!

W

Disclaimer: This e-Magazine is produced especially for residents/owners of The Hills Estate to provide updates and useful information. It is produced by K-Studio on behalf of The Hills Estate HOA. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of content, The Hills Estate HOA and/or the Publisher, cannot be held liable for any inaccurate information, and may not agree with all opinions expressed in this publication.

FROM THE ESTATE MANAGER SECURITY UPDATE HOW TO KEEP CUT ROSES FRESHER FOR LONGER

FROM THE GYM MANAGER

Fruit & Pistachio Crumble

SLEEP THE UNDERRATED IMMUNE BOOSTER BUSH BREAKS THE KIDS WILL LOVE LAND CRUISER PRADO CELEBRATING LOVE ON VALENTINES DAY

HOME SELLER MISTAKES PART 1

ithout a doubt, most South Africans have experienced the call of the bush at some point in their childhood. Whether your early family safari memories are of a baboon that stole your pitstop bacon and egg sarmie in the Kruger or meeting a lone rhino on the short walk between bird hide and we’ve all got them! At Pentravel, we love to LOVE a bush break. Give us a boerie on the braai under a kling sky and the calls of hyenas in the darkness, as we go all goosebumpy. And the generally tech-free

SA’s leading health retailer, Wellness Warehouse offers everything you need to live life well under one roof.

Visit one of their 37 stores (and growing) nationwide or shop online to stock up on quality health supplements, organic and natural beauty products, real foods, eco home products and natural baby care, all offered with personal service and a 360° approach to health.

www.wellnesswarehouse.com

THE | ESTATE NEWS

important ESTATE MANAGER Murray Retief 066 474 0494 | MurrayR@trafalgar.co.za

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Maryke Botes 012 941 3703 Marykeb@trafalgar.co.za

SECURITY MANAGER Oppies Opperman 076 821 7567 / oppiesopperman@omegasol. com

Contacts

OPERATIONAL MANAGER

Ayanda Gwiliza 066 474 0495 ayandag@trafalgar.co.za

ARCHITECTURAL COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR Clarice Botes clarice@studious.co.za

MAIN GATE 082 826 3761 GATE COMMANDER (GARSFONTEIN) 082 826 3761 LEVY ENQUIRIES Clarice Heyneke 011 214 5200 clariceh@trafalgar.co.za NETCARE Pretoria East Hospital 012 422 2300 (Antivenom) GYM MANAGER Tanya Dannhauser tanya@resiliencestudio.co.za 079 974 2210 CARLITA’S RESTAURANT 062 808 0015 carlitasrestaurant@gmail.com 2021 | I SSUE 1 | 5

ESTATE NEWS | THE

Shop C228 Rosebank Mall 50 Bath Avenue Rosebank Johannesburg 011 880 1933

Designed to be the world’s best soundbar.

BOSE SOUNDBAR 700 An unmatched combination of sophisticated design and exceptional sound brings the “wow factor” to your favorite music, movies, and TV.

Visit

and experience the Bose difference today. www.sound-systems.co.za

6 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

THE | ESTATE NEWS

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from the

Estate Manager’s Desk very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year to every one of you! We hope that you thoroughly enjoyed the Festive season and that you are well-rested and ready for the challenges that the new year will undoubtedly present us with. We trust, however, that we will be seeing fewer of the difficulties we encountered in 2020 and that our country as a whole will soon be able to start its journey of healing and recovery as we navigate our way through the pandemic and the hardships associated with it. On behalf of everyone at the HOA office, we again pledge our service and support to all of our members and residents in the coming year and we invite you to get in touch with us should you require assistance of any kind.

It is with great sadness that we learned of three of our residents in the estate who had recently lost a family member due to Covid-19 related complications.

Please accept our sincere condolences and know that our thoughts and prayers remain with you. We all wish you and your families peace and comfort during this very difficult time.

We kicked off the year with a weeding initiative on Saturday, 16 January during which a number of our members took part to remove the ever-increasing Pompom weeds from the Estate, with a specific focus on our game reserve. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to every family who joined us on the day and gave some of their valuable spare time over the weekend in the interest of our Estate and its natural environment. We appreciate the fact that not even the scorching summer weather on the day could do anything to take away your enthusiasm. In the end, we managed to collect a whole truckload full of

THE | ESTATE NEWS

plants that were safely and properly disposed of at an organic refuse facility. We are also happy to announce that the winners were the Marais-family from Stand 425. They collected a whopping total of twenty-four refuse bags filled with Pompom weeds and in recognition of their efforts, their levy for February 2021 will be waived. Once again, thank you so much, and very well done to all of you! In addition to creating awareness through initiatives such as this one, we are also planning to intensify the eradication of invasive plants at The Hills in the year to come and additional resources will be allocated to ensure that we approach the challenge most effectively. Unfortunately, it is not something that can be achieved overnight but with proper planning and persistence, a solution over time is well within our reach.

Lastly, I would like to thank our board of directors for their selfless leadership and guidance during the year gone past. We sometimes forget that they sacrifice a significant amount of their time in the service of the Home Owners Association while also having to attend to their full-time occupations and they do so without receiving any form of reward, except for the knowledge that they contribute to the wellbeing of our community. After the annual general meeting held in November of last year, three new members were elected to the board, namely Dr. Chris Musah, Mr. Charl Ferreira, and Mrs. Sabelwe Tshitlho. We extend a warm word of welcome to them and wish them all of the best with their endeavors for the term during which they will be serving. We know that their contributions will add a lot of value to the functioning of the board and we thank them for their willingness to become involved.

Please continue to stay safe and let’s make the most of 2021!

Best wishes!

Murray Retief 2021 | I SSUE 1 | 9

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THE | ESTATE NEWS

efore compiling my contribution for the upcoming edition I like to read through the previous e-magazines to observe the issues we successfully dealt with in the past. I have to say our previous issue was a bit more positive and the word “Second wave” was a surfer term, with a blink of an eye that changed as beaches closed and now we find ourselves back in stage 3 of lockdown with extra regulations. The pandemic is getting worse and I truly hope that the vaccine will soon become speedily available.

We have received a few complaints such as excessive noise and speeding in the Estate which seems to be the biggest concern at the moment.

Excessive noise includes dogs barking, this is a very challenging issue as we cannot control it from our side, it remains the responsibility of the owners, being a dog owner myself I understand that this is the nature of dogs, they bark and the natural thing to do when a neighbour complains about dog barking is to get defensive, but don’t go there. Defensiveness exacerbates hostilities, escalates tension, and encourages your neighbour to make a mountain out of what you perceive to be a molehill. Remember, During this period, we had our first ever perimeter it’s all about perception, and your neighbour’s breach. The investigation was completed, and perception is his reality. Instead of being defensive, with the help of the Estate Manager and Security try these things: Director, all aspects of the incident were dealt with accordingly.

• Listen intently to your neighbour’s complaint.

Empathize and apologize for your dog barking.

Security processes and controls were reviewed, • Investigate your dog’s nuisance behaviour. improved, and tested, we can confidently say that the • Respect our Estate’s dog rules. residents of our Estate are safe and we are happy to • Take action to modify your dog’s behaviour and report that no serious incidents were reported during your behaviour. the Festive Season.

The My Estate Life Access control system is currently being used, we urge all residents to register as soon as possible if you haven’t yet. For now, we still have the ‘Click-on’ system in place but the two systems were never designed to work alongside each other and thus could create problems, therefore we need all residents to register on ‘My Estate Life’. Our goal will eventually be “NO PIN NO ENTRY”

SPEEDING REMAINS A MAJOR CONCERN. WE URGE RESIDENTS TO REPORT ALL SPEEDING INCIDENTS. WE NEED TO STOP THIS BEFORE WE HAVE AN INCIDENT.

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OFFICER OF THE MONTH A honey Bee swarm was found and reported by one of the residents earlier this month. Honey bee swarms are not highly dangerous under most circumstances. Swarming honey bees feed prior to swarming, reducing their ability to sting. Further, bees away from the vicinity of their nest (offspring and food stores) are less defensive and are unlikely to sting unless provoked.

James Mothiba is nominated for the officer of the month at The Hills eco-Estate. Officer Mothiba is responsible for the contractor’s gate. He oversees the registration and access to all contractors as well as daily deliveries and service providers.

Officer Mothiba has a huge responsibility, we would like to thank him for his great service.

Please congratulate him when you see him as a small token of appreciation.

Our Security team remains committed to the Estate’s residents and service providers. Please safe the below numbers for emergencies: Site Manager: 0768217567 Regional Manager: Tertius Goedhals 082 871 0726 Control room Arcadia: 012 654 9690 Control room The Hills: 082 826 3761 Control room: 012 996 1610 Security wishes all residents in the Estate a safe and prosperous new year. Please keep a safe distance and take care in these uncertain times.

Oppies 1 2 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

In most situations when a honey bee swarm is found on a tree, shrub or house you do not need to do anything.

Swarms are temporary and the bees will move on if you patiently ignore them. Stay back and keep others away from the swarm, but feel free to admire and appreciate the bees from a safe distance.

If you are concerned about your safety and the safety of others you may contact Security or Beekeeper Heinrich Du Plooy on 078312 4804

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ESTATE NEWS GARDENING | THE | THE

HOW TO KEEP handcrafted bouquets or cut roses

fresher for longer

Add Soda If you drink soda, save about 1/4 cup of your favorite clear soda and add it to the water in your flower vase.

Remove the Leaves Before you put your roses in the vase, be sure to remove any leaves or vegetation that will fall below the water line.

Hair Spray You can hold your flowers upside down before you put them in your vase and spray the undersides of the petals.

Vinegar and Sugar Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar with the water in your flower vase. This mixture will feed your flowers after you’ve changed the water that contains the flower food. Just be sure to change the water and repeat every few days.

Aspirin This is a trick that my mother taught me.

Put one crushed, low-dose aspirin in with the water when you add your flowers. The aspirin will help keep the flower water clean by killing bacteria.

Bleach If you don’t happen to have aspirin laying around, a 1/4 teaspoon of bleach will do the same thing. Just add it to your fresh water and let the bleach kill any bad bacteria that may exist.

There are a lot of different ways to make cut roses last longer. So, the next time you bring home flowers, try a few and see which works best for you.

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THE THE| ESTATE | GARDENING NEWS

Use roses as bee magnets for your veggie garden Credit: article written by Ludwigs Roses

Did you know that 70% of the food we eat depends on being pollinated by bees?

Summer squash like zucchini and gem squash, as well as cucumbers, particularly rely on bees to pollinate their flowers, as do tomatoes, peppers and brinjals.

Scientists have now found out that buzzing over a bloom, flapping their wings, makes a slight positive electrical charge and they sense the slight negative electrical charge of the bloom that needs pollinating. Once a bloom is pollinated it emits a no vacancy signal with a positive charge.

How do they find flowers and remain faithful to a specific plant species?

The bee’s senses are adapted to signals of the flowers – the colour and the scent. It is a reflection of ultraviolet light from the flowers they detect, but also the direction of the scent they are able detect with their antennae.

Bees remain faithful to a productive plant species until it stops flowering. That is important since there would be no fertilisation for a bee to fly from a rose bloom to a Calendula or a strawberry.

Observing bee activity amongst mixed rose bed is also interesting.

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ESTATE NEWS| THE GARDENING | THE

They will land on half open hybrid tea blooms and desperately trying to find a way through the loosely folded petals to get to nectar and pollen. They might buzz over an older open bloom and then soon look for another. In some large, fresh open blooms one might find several bees actively moving around getting the pollen to stick to their legs.

In selecting bee-friendly plants for the garden, have you ever considered single or semi-double roses? White, yellow, and pale pink roses act as a magnet for bees and also attract butterflies. With their exposed stamens and pistels, the pollen is always fresh, and the bees love it.

Being repeat flowering modern r o s e s , they have a long flowering season, which means that there are always flowers for the

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THE | GARDENING

bees. It is also important to plant enough roses, close together, and in the vicinity of the vegetables so that bees don’t use up their energy hunting for pollen.

That doesn’t mean sacrificing growing space for vegetables. Train climbing or willowy shrub roses against a trellis on walls bordering the vegetable garden or use the rose-covered trellis as a flowering wall.

There is no reason why an edible garden can’t be beautiful. Frame the entrance with an archway and train a rose over it. Place an obelisk in the centre of a bed or as a focal point, with a rose trained around it. Line a garden pathway with low growing shrub roses, or place large rosefilled containers around the garden as features.

Roses and vegetables are good companions because they like the same growing conditions: fertile, well-drained soil and regular watering.

Select disease resistant and naturally healthy Eco-chic roses and there is no need to spray.

Take your pick from these bee-friendly roses:

CLIMBING ROSES: •

‘Mermaid’ is a vigorous climber, with pale yellow blooms and flowers repeatedly.

• ‘Ballerina’ produces large trusses of small, single flowers in shades of pink and white on arching, graceful stems.

• ‘Starry Eyed’ grows into a freestanding willowy shrub 2m high and 3m wide. It is ideal for training up pillars, over arches and onto walls.

• ‘Cocktail’ is a favourite, flowering throughout the season with bright orange-red blooms and

a yellow eye.

• Simply Charming is a stately chest high shrub that is never without its charming five petalled blooms of a very interesting dappled pink with prominent stamens in the centre. It can be trained on a trellis.

SHRUB ROSES: • ‘Single White’ is a self-cleaning, low maintenance shrublet that produces clusters of single white flowers. It has a spreading growth and performs well in a large container too.

• ‘Butterfly Kisses’ is a very healthy, free flowering rose that grows to hip height and attracts both butterflies and bees. It produces large sprays of 25 to 45 single blooms through to winter.

• ‘Pixie Hat’ has clusters of bright red small 5 petalled blooms that remind one of pixie hats. As the outer stems arch from the weight on blooms new stems take their place and the bush is covered in flowers well into winter. Grows about 1.1m high.

Try these in containers • Johannesburg Garden Club’, a neat shrub, growing about 1.1m high, covered with delicate soft coral coloured blooms. A mutation (sport) of that rose is ‘Duncan’s Rose’ with deep pink single blooms.

• ‘Yellow Butterfly’ has blooms that look like a flock of butterflies on the bush. Is a neat little shrub, producing wave upon wave of blooms into winter. Excels in a container, or as a hedge. Grows about 0.8m high.

• ‘Fortuna’ is a compact floribunda with unmatched flower power. The dense clusters of brilliant pink, five-petalled blooms weigh down the bush. The growth is slightly spreading but very neat and below knee height.

Click here for a complete listing of our bee friendly roses.

For your convenience we mark them with a bee symbol in the catalogue.

2021 2021| I|SSUE I SSUE1 1| 17 | 17

Get our kids

back into nature!

SHOP ONLINE NOW

www.plantland.co.za info@plantland.co.za

Plantland advert March 2021.indd 9

012 549 2128

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2021 | I SSUE 1 | 19

ESTATE NEWS | THE

Smalls

Would you like to know if you may add your product to this list?

Contact tobia@k-studio.co.za *terms and conditions apply

Samosas, springrolls, chutney & pickles sold to order. Contact Devaksha Maharaj WhatsApp 081 517 9589 or email devaksha.maharaj@gmail. com, stand number is 482.

--Manure R40 per 30kg bag Delivery on Saturdays Boost your garden, grass and veggies 0794964525.

--Johan is looking for garden work contact him on 062 950 7408. Contact Paul Stedall 082 903 1333 for a reference.

--I am a qualified teacher that offers online tutoring.

I have an excellent online platform that is accessible to anyone with internet connectivity. I can assist parents with lesson plans, activity ideas and real life online classes. Denisha 076 733 6597.

--Art Classes for Kids and Adults contact Stef 082 804 3508.

--Mandarin Classes: Contact Lin Ye on 0723805066.

--Indian home cooked meals freshly prepared daily.

Contact Shenaaz on 0828779750.

--Weekly pool cleaning at a monthly cost of R600 ALL chemicals included. Contact 083 278 8720.

--Vets approved dog and cat food and Bravecto treatment for ticks and fleas delivered to your door 2 0 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

in the estate at no extra cost. Please whatsapp LerĂŠ (0829749978) for price enquiries and orders.

Delivery will take place on Fridays.

--Landscape Design Student passionate about nature and plants, I am able to assist with landscape layout of gardens, give insightful and easy development ideas to existing gardens. I can assist in growing your Vegetable and herbs together with commin indoor and outdoor plants.

Contact Jan on kstudioleads@gmail.com for your landscape design needs, garden maintenance, consultation and ideas on keeping your garden healthy and beautiful throughout the year.

The Classifieds section is only available to The Hills residents and there is no charge for residents or homeowners to advertise here. Please include your stand number and contact details for references. This Classifieds section is not for the use of businesses, but for someone who offers a small service such as Pet sitting, or would like to advertise their trusted gardener, handyman or domestic worker, plumber etc.

Please include your stand number and contact details for references.This Classifieds section is not for the use of businesses.

If you would like to advertise your business in the Estate Magazine, please email Tobia von Zwietring at tobia@k-studio.co.za All Classified advertisements will be removed monthly. Please inform us by email before the 18th of every month if you would like to repeat your previous advert.

THE | ESTATE NEWS

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ESTATE NEWS | THE

Illustration by Koren Shadmi

from the

Gym Manager Facing Down an Injury Coming out stronger on the other side of sportrelated injuries.

therapy and my secret to staying slender, despite a daily ice cream habit. So in 2008, when a string of injuries intruded on my running career, I felt stripped of my identity.

“To get the results you want, you don’t have to be extreme, just consistent.” – an excerpt from my previous article...

It’s no wonder. Whether they end a professional athletic career or simply disrupt an established exercise routine, injuries like mine have been shown to lower self-esteem, trigger depression and increase risk of further injury.

My sprinting journey has been placed on hold, as I have a torn meniscus and need to undergo knee surgery. A major shock at first yes, but a MINOR setback in the long run.

What I learned from my own experience, though, and what should give hope to anyone struggling with sports-related pain, is that there can also be a bright side to injuries. Namely, that if you make the most of your recovery process, you may very well come out stronger — both emotionally and physically — on the other side.

AND THEN AN INJURY HAPPENED!

“Depending on how strongly and exclusively you identify yourself as an athlete, the psychological impact of being injured can be significant,” says Judy Van Raalte, PhD, a sports-psychology professor and co-editor of Exploring Sport and Exercise Psychology (APA, 2002). “Exercise itself has a therapeutic effect as strong as some antidepressants. Being unable to participate in physical activity means these benefits are taken away.”

Below an article written by Nicole Radziszewski May 2013 Five years ago, running was my life. It was the perfect package of fitness, friendship and competition, all wrapped up in a shiny coat of endorphins. It was my 2 2 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

Dealing with a physical vulnerability can also serve as a reality check, helping you become a more effective athlete in the long run, says Van Raalte.

“Being injured is sometimes the body’s way of saying, ‘Whoa! Whatever you’re doing is too much or not right for this body.’” she says.

So rather than seeing an injury as a setback, you can use it as an incentive to train differently. “At the end of the ride you will come out with renewed clarity and confidence — about yourself, your fitness passions and your deepest athletic motivations.”

If you find yourself setback because of an injury, take heart and hold on. Go through the motions, take it slow, be kind to yourself.

THE | ESTATE NEWS

JOIN US FOR SUNSET YOGA FRIDAY 26 FEB

If you are not yet on our Broadcast list, please send me a WhatsApp to 079 974 2210 and I will add you.

“Be good to your body and your body will be good to you” Warm Regards, Tanya 2021 | I SSUE 1 | 23

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Fruit & Pistachio Crumble

Serves: 2 INGREDIENTS *2 peaches, stones removed *½ cup Greek yoghurt *4 tsp pistachios, roughly chopped *Raspberries or other berries of your choice (for garnishing) FOR THE CRUMBLE *2 natural rice cakes, chopped *2 red apples, skin on and grated *2/3 cup oats *2 TBSP chia seeds *½ tsp ground cinnamon *½ tsp ground ginger *4 tsp honey *4 tsp olive oil METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 2. Mix the crumble ingredients together.

3. Slice the peaches into wedges and arrange in the centre of a baking dish.

4. Spoon the crumble mixture around the peach wedges.

5. Bake in the oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until the crumble has turned golden and the peaches have softened.

6. You might need to stir the crumble so that it cooks evenly.

7. Remove and serve with yoghurt, pistachios and raspberries or other berries. If you like, you could add a touch of green, such as fresh mint.

SA’s leading health retailer, Wellness Warehouse offers everything you need to live life well under one roof.

Visit one of their 37 stores (and growing) nationwide or shop online to stock up on quality health supplements, organic and natural beauty products, real foods, eco home products and natural baby care, all offered with personal service and a 360° approach to health.

www.wellnesswarehouse.com

SHOP THE INGREDIENTS IN STO R E , O R S C A N T H E Q R CO D E TO BUY THEM ONLINE

Excerpted from All Sorts of One-Dish Wonders by Chantal Lascaris, published

by Penguin Random House South Africa and available at leading bookstores and online

WELLNESS | THE

SLEEP

The Underrated Immune Booster

By Kate Aitken Vitamin C and zinc quickly became the supplements of choice when COVID-19 hit, and considering that the virus will be sticking around for a while, this might be a trend with some longevity. In times of uncertainty, we look to the things that we can control, which means going for all the vitamins, minerals and supplements we know will help to support our bodies and immune systems. While these will assist in taking care of your wellbeing, there’s an even more basic, tried-and-tested immune booster that tops any fancy supplement or superfood. It also happens to be totally free, and in unlimited supply...

Sleep.

And not just any old slumber, but high-quality, healthoptimising and restorative sleep.

We’ve all experienced the incredible benefits of a good night’s sleep, and it’s safe to say that not much compares. Aside from allowing us to feel revitalised, cognitively alert and emotionally balanced (a pretty impressive list of pros), quality sleep also acts as armour, helping us to ward off infections and illness.

When you are sleep deprived, you are not only more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria, but you also have to deal with a substantially longer recovery time in the event that you do fall ill. It’s time for us to acknowledge and bring awareness to the true importance of proper sleep so that we can optimise our health and happiness, and live a life of vibrant wellness.

The question now becomes, “What is the optimal amount of sleep?” This is a difficult one to pin down, and the answer will vary from person to person according to a wide range of factors, including age, overall bodily health, and emotional and physical stress levels. It is generally recommended that we get between seven and nine hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. In fact, research shows that if you are getting less than six hours per night, you are more than four times as likely to catch the common cold.

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The immune system’s activity ramps up while we sleep, which can sometimes result in night sweats, signalling that it’s hard at work!

Cytokines (proteins that act as messengers for the immune system) are also produced and released during sleep. With sub-optimal sleep (i.e. six hours or less), our hormones can be disrupted and a low-grade inflammation response initiated. If left unresolved, this can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses. The pace of today’s world has forced many of us into deciding that sleep is expendable. However, as with bad debt, the ramifications are not only real, but compounding. There are no corners to be cut when it comes to getting your shut-eye, and it is absolutely vital that your sleep pennies are banked.

Even more important than the number of hours for which we sleep is the quality of our sleep, and our alignment with natural circadian rhythms. Our bodies follow a well-calculated and efficient sleep cycle, and any disruption of this cycle (even a quick midnight bathroom break) has an impact on our returns.

The four sleep stages are: wakefulness, light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep. Deep sleep is the most regenerative and restorative stage, and should ideally occur between 10 pm and 2 am, which also coincides with the darkest hours of the night. You should aim to have the middle of your sleep cycle falling between these hours, as you will be optimally aligned with natural sleep cycles, and thus maximise your ‘sleep yield’. REM sleep is associated with dreaming and creativity – it’s often a space where we receive insights and those ‘Aha!’ moments. Typically, REM sleep is experienced in the early hours of the morning, and ends with waking. To sleep through the night is innate and natural, but thanks to our fast-paced, stresspacked lives, this is often seen as a luxury rather than an essential.

For much of this year, many of us have been feeling heightened levels of anxiety and stress, which not only directly impact our immune systems, but also affect our sleep. Isn’t it strange that when we finally have ‘more time’ for sleep, it becomes more elusive

than ever? This is almost certainly due to anxiety and the inability of the body and mind to calm down, which is necessary for us to fall asleep and stay asleep. Now, more than ever, it is vital to establish what we call sleep hygiene - taking any and all steps necessary to promote and support better sleep.

HERE ARE 10 SIMPLE TIPS YOU CAN IMPLEMENT ON A DAILY BASIS TO HELP YOU MOVE TOWARDS A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH SLEEP…

1. Stay hydrated. Opt for plenty of warm water and herbal teas during the day. It’s preferable to get most of your liquid intake during the first half of your day to avoid the night-time bathroom run.

2. Stock up on immune-boosting nutrients such as zinc, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin D. You should also make sure to include plant-based whole foods in your daily diet, as they are abundant in these nutrients. Great examples of superfoods and herbs to add are baobab powder, camu camu berry and adaptogenic herbs.

3. Limit alcohol intake and try to have your drink earlier in the evening rather than late at night. Alcohol may temporarily relax us, but it can disturb our sleep (especially if consumed in large quantities).

nervous systems late at night, which is not conducive to relaxation THE | ESTATE NEWS and sleep. Try turning down the lights as the sun goes down and opting for a Himalayan salt lamp to provide a warm, gentle light.

This signals to your body that bedtime is approaching. To promote relaxation, take a bath with some calming essential oils like lavender, and sip on some chamomile tea whilst retiring to bed with a good book.

9. Avoid any high-stimulation activity just before bed, such as checking emails or watching action-packed TV. 10. Cultivate a gratitude practice. Write down your list of ‘gratefuls’ from the day. Going to bed with a grateful heart and a peaceful mind eases any resistance that we have built up during the day, and allows us to drift off happily into dreamland.

You may also want to consider seeing a health coach, who can guide you in making lifestyle changes that could directly benefit your ability to get that precious shut-eye. If you are really having trouble getting healthy sleep, you may need to consult a doctor or sleep therapist.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kate is a passionate wellness advocate who believes that the key to living life well is in supporting innate wellbeing by choosing pure, natural foods. She stands by the beliefs that “health is wealth” and “food is medicine”, and has made her love for wholesome living a central theme in her life. She has a background in retail, having been on the marketing team for a number of prominent health food brands. In 2017, she helped to open a trendy ‘gut-healthy’ caf in Chelsea, London, that continues to grow in success and popularity. Kate now works as a marketing and communications consultant in the wellness industry, including as interim Marketing Manager at Wellness Warehouse. As an internationally-accredited health coach, she uses her experience in integrative nutrition to support wellness seekers in making long-term, sustainable lifestyle changes.

Contact kate@wellrooted.co.za or follow her @_well_rooted_ on Instagram for more.

4. Eat a well-balanced diet that favours a generous intake of nourishing, fibre-rich plant foods. Keep dinners light, as a heavy digestive load can disturb sleep quality. A soup or broth is a great evening meal option.

5. Make time for creativity and doing the things you love. This reduces stress and supports happier, more restful sleep.

6. Keep fit and active. Exercise directly impacts our quality of sleep. Go for cardio earlier in the day, as this amps up your system, and opt for more relaxed exercise (such as yoga) in the evening, as this helps to calm the body and mind.

7. Set a bedtime for yourself. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Our bodies love routine, and this is an effective way to really capitalise on sleep. Plus, once your body has settled into a routine, you will find little need for an alarm clock.

8. Create an evening wind-down ritual. With the increase in hand-held technology and blue-light devices in the bedroom, we’ve lost touch with natural daily cycles, and are left with revved up

SA’s leading health retailer, Wellness Warehouse offers everything you need to live life well under one roof. Visit one of their 37 stores (and growing) nationwide or shop online to stock up on quality health supplements, organic and natural beauty products, real foods, eco home products and natural baby care, all offered with personal service and a 360° approach to health.

2021 | I SSUE 1 | 27 www.wellnesswarehouse.com

Try locally produced

SALMON TROUT Carlita’s Deli now stocks tasty and fresh, locally produced Salmon Trout from Dunkeld Smokery, Dullstroom. Try all the products with our exclusive Carlita’s Catch hamper for only R420.

The hamper includes:

Y R ONL

R420

A L L FO

• • • • • • •

100g Ready-to-Eat Smoked Salmon Trout Ribbons Raw Salmon Trout Fillet Portions Ready-to-Eat Cured Salmon Trout Fillets Plain Smoked Salmon Trout Fillet Pepper Smoked Salmon Trout Fillet Pre-made Trout Pie Pre-made Duck & Cherry Pie

Here are some great ideas that you can try with our products:

Salmon Trout bagel with cream cheese and fresh greens

Smoked Salmon Trout salad with rocket, nectarines and avocado

Smoked Salmon Trout with cottage cheese and chives canapés

Grilled Salmon Trout and avocado wraps

Available from our deli at The Hills Game Reserve, 906 Royal Albatross Road, Garsfontein, or we can deliver! To order, call us on 062 808 0015 or visit www.carlitasrestaurant.com

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THE | LIFESTYLE

2021 | I SSUE 1 | 29

DECOR | THE

COLOUR

TRENDS FOR 2021

We often oversee colours at the time of interior design. Colour plays an essential role in our lives.

It is a visual language understood throughout the world.

W

hen you try to communicate something through interior design, the best way to do it is through colour. The interior design is highly dependent on the colour scheme as it is the most important factor of interior design. Colours, lights, and shades always surround us.

Each tone of colour has a significant effect on our mood, has a specific meaning, and interlinks with our mind frame.

The upcoming interior season is preparing us for a return to bright colours, new zoning ideas, unusual storage systems, and upholstered furniture in which it is easy to “drown�. The trend of

3 0 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

THE | ESTATE THE | DECOR NEWS

the new interior season is the emphasis on juicy bright palettes in the design of furniture, lamps, accessories.

A return to the intense gamut from pastels is one of the clear trends of the season. On the one hand, it is a natural expression of our rich lifestyle and thought processes. On the other hand, the manifestation of the nostalgia of designers for the “eighties” with their strong designs and colours.

A big factor in our lives is COVID-19…. We spend more time in and around our houses than ever before. Therefore we need to lift our spirits! And what better way to it than with colour!

GREEN is often used in interior design because it gives a beneficial effect on the mental state, the property of calming and extinguishing any negative emotions. This shade also helps to concentrate and make important informed decisions. The variety of shades of this colour is exceptionally large. It can be from a gentle olive tone to a deep emerald. In addition to the background shade, you can additionally use green accessories. It can be curtains, pillows, tablecloths, bedspreads, and any other textiles that will give your room an atmosphere of comfort and cosiness.

Grey is a colour that has been popular for several years now, and accordingly, it is still one of the top ones that are often used in interior design. In fact, if you look at the essence, the grey colourspectrum has a lot of different shades, ranging from light tones to a dark graphite palette.

An interesting fact is that light grey tones help you increase the space, so this is just the perfect shade for rooms that have a small square. It is important to know the fact that grey colour is easily combined with other shades. Grey is and will be for the next few seasons still be a good colour to use on walls and use as a base colour in our interior design.

Grey kitchens may become less popular. All grey kitchen interiors can look cold and lack distinction. I foresee contrasting colours and textured elements being more popular in designing kitchens.

So, in 2021, we will continue to gravitate towards

more colour, visual interest, and playful design.

This will happen through bold statement decor pieces like ceramic vases, sculptures, and decorative boxes, along with art.

A cosy house is, first, a comfort zone for owners and their household. But any home must meet not only the criteria of comfort but also the newest trends. Novelties of interior design and colour relate to both the general design of rooms, offices, and/or houses and individual details that should be paid attention to when are busy designing spaces.

F O R MO RE I NF O RMAT I O N CON TA C T 0 8 2 7 8 2 4 2 5 2 | 0 1 2 3 4 8 0 86 9 a lt u s @c a rn e in t e rio rs . c o . z a h t t p : / / www. c a rn e in t e rio rs . c o . z a / h t t p s : / / www. f a c e b o o k . c o m/ c a rn ei n t e r i o r s 2021 2021| I|SSUE I SSUE1 1| 31 | 31

ESTATE |NEWS DECOR THE | THE

3 2 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

THE | ESTATE NEWS

FACTS NOT FICTION FACT: We SOLD 74.16% of all HOMES within The Hills Estate since its inception.

FACT: MORE agents, MORE marketing, MORE sales.

Do you also want MORE for your property?

Contact us for a MORE passionate approach to Real Estate.

2021 | I SSUE 1 | 33

ESTATE TR AVEL NEWS | THE | THE

Bush Breaks the kids will LOVE!

W

ithout a doubt, most South Africans have experienced the call of the bush at some point in their childhood. Whether your early family safari memories are of a baboon that stole your pitstop bacon and egg sarmie in the Kruger or meeting a lone rhino on the short walk between bird hide and car, we’ve all got them! At Pentravel, we love to LOVE a bush break. Give us a boerie on the braai under a twinkling sky and the calls of hyenas in the darkness, as we go all goosebumpy. And the generally tech-free and pro-family environment makes it a pretty special gift to give to our own kids and a new generation of travellers. We’ve rounded up our best family safari ideas, game reserve inspiration and bush breaks the kids will love by chatting to a few of our seasoned Pentravel safari experts.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK An easy drive from Johannesburg and a quick gander from anywhere in Mpumalanga, the vast Kruger Park is a staple on South African safari holidays. From the wildlife-rich South, to the interesting Central roads and the unique North, the park has its fill of various accommodation options, camps, lodges and even a golf course!

Why we love it? Super kid-friendly with safe camps, well-stocked camp shops, swimming pools and the sound of the wild.

34 |

087 094 0011 info@pentravel.co.za www.pentravel.co.za 087 1095 0555 ISSUE | 2021

THE | THE ESTATE | TRAVEL NEWS

ST LUCIA WETLANDS Now known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the Greater St Lucia area was declared South Africa’s first Natural World Heritage Site in 1999 and its natural abundance is breathtaking!

Explore this pristine wonderland with game drives, snorkeling at Cape Vidal, a hippo boat cruise, turtle cruises and even bush and boat safaris. There’s many options to suit your family’s needs too.

Why we love it? The simple natural wonder is incredible; there really is something for everyone!

MABALINGWE MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE Located within the greater Timbavati is another local favourite – Motswari Private Game Reserve.

With excellent rangers and guide who go above and beyond, Motswari offers an exceptional place for a family safari. For those slightly older visitors, guided safari walks and interest talks offer a unique aspect to this luxury lodge.

Why we love it? Motswari’s renowned guides, rangers and staff go above and beyond.

Mabalingwe is a short drive from Pretoria and offers an excellent choice for a weekend bush break. Relaxed and incredibly family friendly, there are also resort-style activities to keep the kids entertained, such as tennis, a swimming pool, mini golf and kids’ area. Plus, you can opt into your own game drives and stay selfcatering, making this an easy and relaxed option for families.

Why we love it? The Oasis Bar is great for sundowners, and there are loads of kid-friendly activities.

087 094 0011 info@pentravel.co.za www.pentravel.co.za 087 095 0555

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ESTATE NEWS | THE

Family Bush Breaks

THE | DECOR

#3131

GLAMPING ON THE BANKS OF THE SABIE RIVER Valid: until 28 Apr 2021

from only

R1,545pps What's included: 2 nights accommodation at AfriCamps at Mackers, Hazyview in a tent! #3134

GLAMPING ON THE SHORE OF LAKE JOZINI, PONGOLA GAME RESERVE Valid: until 28 Apr 2021

from only

R1,685pps What's included: 2 nights accommodation at AfriCamps at White Elephant, KZN in a tent!

MABULA GAME LODGE, WATERBERG, LIMPOPO

#1043

Valid: until 29 Mar 2021

from only

R2,955pps What's included: 2 nights accommodation at the 4-star Mabula Game Lodge in a superior room Including all meals and 2 game drives daily! #2104

KWA MARITANE BUSH LODGE, PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK Valid: until 25 Feb 2021

from only

R5,815pps What’s included: 3 nights accommodation at the 4-star Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge, Pilanesberg National Park in a standard room Breakfast & dinner daily BONUS 2 kids under 12 stay and eat for free when sharing with 2 adults!

Contact us at any of our Joburg or Pretoria stores: Bedford (011) 607 9460 Clearwater (011) 675 7597 Cresta (011) 380 3700 Rand Mall 345 1860 3 6 |East ISSUE 1 |(011) 2021 Rosebank (011) 778 1100

Brooklyn (012) 346 8439 Centurion (012) 643 5340 Menlyn (012) 368 1202 Jo'burg Online (010) 880 0754

info@pentravel.co.za

087 095 0555

DECOR | THE

THE | ESTATE NEWS

2021 | I SSUE 1 | 37

ESTATE NEWS | THE

MODEL SHOWN: Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-L Cross items off your bucket list and fulfill your thirst for adventure in the new Land Cruiser Prado. Now equipped with a Multi-Terrain Select*, Panoramic View Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert System, Adaptive Cruise Control and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System*. Prado – gets you exactly where you want to go.

MODEL LINE-UP: 2.8GD TX | 4.0 VX | 2.8GD VX | 4.0VX-L | 2.8GD VX-L

BOOK A TEST DRIVE TODAY AT TOYOTA.CO.ZA * Available on selected models.

3 8 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

10032732JB/

JHB/E

THETHE | ESTATE | MOTORING NEWS

POWER UP At the heart of the revised range is an additional 30 kW of power and 100 Nm of torque derived from the switch to the new-generation 2.8L GD-6 turbodiesel engine, that is now mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission (previously five-speed). Prado’s overlanding and towing credentials benefit from the higher-performance engine that now delivers a maximum of 150 kW @ 3 400 r/min and 500 Nm over a wider 1 600 - 2 800 r/min band. The latest generation 2.8 GD-6 engine (as debuted in the

updated Hilux) has received a raft of upgrades including a new ball-bearing turbocharger with a larger turbine and impeller, and improved engine rigidity and cooling. Better fuel economy is realised through optimised pistons and piston rings, changes to the cylinder block and head, higher fuel-injection flow rate and the adoption of high-performance materials for the exhaust manifold. A newly-fitted balance shaft helps smooth out engine vibrations, improving NVH performance and contributing to an even higher degree of refinement.

2021 2021| I|SSUE I SSUE1 1| 39 | 39

MOTORING | THE

ENHANCED EFFICIENCY & TOWING

WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE

Despite the substantially stronger outputs, fuel consumption improves to 7.9 L/100 km and CO2 emissions are down to 209 g/km. Fuel capacity is 150L with an 87L main tank and 63L sub-tank.

Maximum braked towing capacity is increased to 3 000kg on 2.8 models.

All Prado models are sold with a 9-services/90 000 km service plan – with 10 000 km service intervals. A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is also provided. Customers can purchase an additional service plan and warranty extensions from their local Toyota dealer – and benefit from the biggest dealer network in the country (over 220).

NEW INFOTAINMENT A new-generation multimedia system is fitted across the range, which now incorporates a larger 9” touchscreen display (previous 8”), enhanced voice recognition and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Customers are able to utilise mobile phone services such as Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, SoundCloud, etc, to enhance their driving experience – while providing enhanced telephony and messaging interfaces ‘on-the-fly’.

MODEL LINE-UP & PRICING • Prado 2.8L Diesel TX - from R958 700 • Prado 4.0L Petrol VX - from R1 049 600 • Prado 2.8L Diesel VX - from R1 081 800 • Prado 4.0L Petrol VX-L - from R1 094 100 • Prado 2.8L Diesel VX-L - from R1 127 900 The model line-up and 4.0 V6 engine remain unchanged.

4 0 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

THE | MOTORING

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LIFESTYLE | THE

CELEBRATING LOVE ON

Valentine’sDay

When you are young or single, Valentine’s Day is exciting. Later in life, however, it has the tendency to become a bit stale. A day of annoyance that forces you to be romantic and pay ridiculous prices for flowers and gifts.

This is probably why, for most couples, Valentine’s Day comes and goes without as much as a “Be my Valentine?” what’s app message.

This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, making it even easier to celebrate and embrace Valentine’s Day for everything it should be (romance, love) and ignore everything it has become (heart chocolates, roses)?

What if you took time out of your busy schedule to celebrate your relationship and set the course for a great year? Not because the calendar says you have to but because you want to.

If you’re up for it, here are some unconventional date ideas to get you thinking: A picnic: Take your partner for a picnic in your backyard or at Rietvlei Nature Reserve.

4 2 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

Order take-out: Because we are celebrating Valentine’s Day during a very difficult and scary time, it might not be a bad idea to order food from your favorite Restaurant, this way you do not have to make additional plans with the kids, and we all know how hard it is to leave the house once you’ve settled in… Pick up take out for dinner and make it a relaxing, out-of-the-norm evening.

Romantic Traveller: Visit a destination you always wanted to go by doing a virtual tour online... Experience the distinctive culture, architecture and history of Sicily relaxing on your sofa or outdoors. Click here Make a weekend of it: If your circumstances allow some time away, have a look at BushBreaks and more’s last minute specials, BushBreaks & More are The Bush Lodge Experts offering the best special discounted rates and tailor-made African Safari Packages at Luxury Lodges throughout South Africa.

Cooking Date: Romance is in the air and in the Kitchen, do a online cooking class or order your mealkit from Ucook.com and make dinner together.

Even if you decide to do nothing this year, it is perfectly fine. But show your partner you care about them by giving a handwritten note, a treat or some field flowers – just because!

2021 | I SSUE 1 | 43

RECIPE | THE

THE BEST

Valentine SUGAR COOKIES

Method Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add egg and water. Beat until light and fluffy. In a new bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Sift together. Blend dry mixture into creamed mixture, divide dough in half. Wrap each half in waxed paper or plastic wrap and chill for one hour.

When you are ready to roll your dough, make sure and flour your working surface. If your dough feels too sticky, add a little bit of flour. If your dough seems to dry, add a tiny bit of water and kneed.

Roll your dough on the floured surface with a rolling pin. We like to roll our about a quarter inch thick.Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes.

Watch them carefully. Take out of oven before edges turn brown.

Homemade Icing: Start with 2 cups of powdered sugar. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon melted butter.

Stir in teaspoons of milk one at a time until you reach desired consistency.

by melissa fenlon There is five different shades of pink to frost the cookies with. These ombre cuties are gorgeous on a platter and even cuter in a Ball jar to give away as a gift. You can download the “How Sweet It Is” label here.

You will need to buy a heart shaped cookie cutter

Ingredients 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla 1 egg 1 teaspoon water (a bit more if needed) 3 cups flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ t salt heart shaped Valentine sugar cookies 4 4 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

To get the ombre frosting effect for these cookies, all you have to do is make five different shades of pink frosting. Just portion out five bowls of icing, then add some pink food coloring bit by bit to each bowl until you achieve the colors you are looking for.

Then frost those sweet Valentine sugar cookies up!

THE | ESTATE NEWS

This photo was taken by Martyn Crous in the nature reserve just after a storm we had end of 2020. Thank you Martyn for sharing

SHARING IS

Caring

Little critter photographed by Anri Shaw

To all keen photographers out there… why not forward your contributions for placement in the e-magazine?

We live in such a beautiful Estate, let’s share with one another what life offers in such abundance. We eagerly await your contributions! Feel free to include a caption, who knows you might just see your photo on the Cover of our next issue.

Double rainbow photographed by Madeleine Marais

P.s You don’t have to be a professional to take part submit your photo to tobia@k-studio.co.za

African sunset just outside the Estate photo taken by Evert von Zwietring

Crab stew anyone? photo taken by Michelle labuschagne 2021 | I SSUE 1 | 45

ESTATE NEWS | THE

TENNIS COACHING FOR ALL AGES AND LEVELS NOW IN THE HILLS ESTATE

MAKE YOUR BOOKING TODAY

4 6 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

matchpointtennis9@yahoo.com 082 945 0104

26058 OLD FRIENDS YOUNG TALENT

THE | ESTATE NEWS

ALL THE LUXURY AND COMFORT YOU’RE USED TO, AT A PRICE YOU WON’T BE.

UNLIMITED

KILOMETRE

5 YEAR WARRANTY

There’s more luxury and style in the KIA Sorento, for a lot less than you’d expect. Add to that KIA’s Unlimited Kilometre, 5-year warranty and an unrivalled reputation for quality*, and you’ll understand why the KIA Sorento makes sense, for all the right reasons.

Find out more at www.kia.co.za. *Ranked #1 for quality for 6 consecutive years, J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey

2021 | I SSUE 1 | 47

LIFESTYLE | THE

Home Seller Mistakes

To avoid when Choosing a real estate agent -Part 1 Written by Xavier De Buck Luxury Homes in Johannesburg

When it’s time to sell your property, how do you go about choosing a real estate agent?

I’m sure there won’t be any problem in locating the nearest real estate agent!

Heck, that’s the easy part!

After all, you see real estate agent signages in every town, every neighborhood, and pretty much on every street corner!

not be the most straightforward decision to make, wouldn’t you agree?

Yet, a vital part of the marketing process of your home is actually the selection of the right real estate agent! In other words, choosing the wrong real estate agent will undoubtedly lead to financial & emotional headaches ahead!

When choosing a real estate agent, there are a number of major home seller mistakes to avoid, and I have lined them up for you:

However, deciding on choosing which real estate agent is something completely different!

Mistake 1: Choosing a Real Estate Estate Agent Who Offers The Lowest Commission

Will he do a successful job of selling your property for the highest price, in the shortest period of time, and the least amount of inconvenience to you?

Now that you’ve decided to sell your home, your next step will be to interview a number of real estate agents.

Most of us don’t normally get exposed to real estate agents too often, other than a few times in our lifetime.

There are many agents out there who will undercut the competition by seriously lowering their commission, in an attempt to win the listing mandate!

Therefore, choosing a real estate agent might 4 8 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

“As a home seller, I’m saving money already, so why is that a bad thing?” you say.

Well, there are a few ways of looking at it: Reduced commission means reduced marketing resources available to assist in getting your home sold. The potential marketing tools that agent suggested he’ll be using, will be substantially less than what a full commission agent could offer as part of his marketing strategy of your property.

That’s a fair business conclusion, no? Now, say this listing agent decides to go the route of heavily discounting the commission rate so he can get your property listed, how many buyer agents are likely going to be turned off once they find out how small their cut of the commission will be? Hence, it would financially benefit the buyer agent to take his client elsewhere and be paid a standard market going commission for the services provided.

Let’s think how many buyer agents would get excited to work with your listing agent? And, finally, aren’t you curious to know why the agent needs to lower his commission by that much just to get the listing mandate? When he drops his commission at a drop of a hat (thereby hurting his bottom line), how good will he be when it’s negotiation time on the price of your property? Thereby hurting your bottom line?!

Does making this decision still make you warm and fuzzy at the thought of saving money? Before signing up with the real estate agent who’s offering the lowest commission, please read the above again.

Hopefully, it will put his listing presentation in perspective versus what other real estate agents are bringing to the table when marketing your home.

Mistake 2: Choosing a Real Estate Agent Who Gives You The Highest Listing Price Now that you’ve decided to go on the market with your (overpriced) property, odds are quite high that you will eventually sell your home at a price below the going market price. One can truly not emphasize enough the importance of starting one’s marketing process with the correct asking price!

The first 3-to-4 weeks of marketing are crucial and if the asking price is too high, unfortunately, potential home buyers will simply not even consider your listing.

Never mind taking the time to go view it! And, to be honest, why would they? The property is out of their price range anyway!

Or worse, a lot of real estate agents might even use your overpriced property to bounce their educated home buyers off to more correctly priced properties. “Now that we’ve seen what $500,000 gets you here, wait until I show you the next home which is marketed at exactly the same price. You’ll be blown away by the high finishes and many extra features!”

Is that how you want agents and buyers to do when they’re viewing your home? I didn’t think so either!

Regardless how you look at it, the end result will be that the overpriced property will sit on the market for a much longer time. And it will eventually sell at a much lower price than would have been achieved if only it was priced correctly from the start!

Now, let’s assume there’s actually this one buyer who decides to put in an offer! Another unfortunate risk you’ll run with selling an overpriced property is that the banks will have trouble finding value during their appraisal; thereby limiting the finance amount for the buyer. And, unless there is a bigger deposit to make up the difference, the deal is likely to fall through.

All this effort, time, stress and living in hope, just to see it all go to waste! Being a home seller, you only have one chance to make a first impression! And, sure, while one might be tempted to be choosing the real estate agent who suggested marketing your property at a higher price, please make sure to ask for proof of how that price was determined by means of a Comparable Market Analysis.

Check with the agent what is currently on the market with similar features as your property.

Having a look at the recent sales of similar homes in your area will give you, as the homeowner, a more realistic expectation regarding the likely sale price of your property.

Plus, it will immediately set the agent straight regarding the listing price he put forward.

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ESTATE NEWS | THE

LOST Pets

There are several steps you can take to keep your pets safe and reduce the likelihood that they’ll become lost or stolen.

Your pet should wear a collar and ID tag at all times. Include an up-to-date phone number where you can be reached. ID tags are available at Pet shops & veterinary clinics.

Have your pet microchipped. Microchips are an implanted form of identification equipped to access your contact information when scanned at a veterinary clinic or shelter.

Spay/neuter your pet. Studies have shown that sterilized animals are less likely to roam.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE PET APPLICATION FORM

5 0 | ISSUE 1 | 2021

Keep them safe when you’re out and about. Animals love the outdoors but it is our responsibility to protect them. Always leash your animals when outside. Keep them close to home and away from traffic, unfamiliar animals and those who may not concern themselves with your pet’s best interests.

Leave them comfortable at home. Never leave your dog leashed outside a store or unattended in the car, even if it’s locked or the windows are

THE | ESTATE NEWS

Go out, find your own path.

The new GLA. Move ahead with the character of a G-Class and the attitude of an A-Class.

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