Of course, the survey had to cater for most frequently asked questions, rather than individual or sector specific concerns. Because of this the survey is available in 4 basic formats, 3 of which are completely free of charge. These include :-

• Online report (pdf file) available via download from the Macdonald & Company website (www.macdonaldandcompany.co.za).
• Includes all key findings and demographic break down
• Full online access also available to purchase, with ability to fully interrogate data
  Limited copies in full colour print are available from Macdonald & Company in Johannesburg, of key findings & demographic break down.
• A Power Point show of key findings is available from Macdonald & Company in Johannesburg

Summary:

• Clearly the  best news to come out of this survey is that South Africans property professionals are generally a lot more up-beat than our international counterparts; regarding both the local economy and the impact of macro economics on their careers. Other key findings include:-
• South Africans are still being paid much less than our global counterparts, from a basic salary as well as a benefits point of view.  Employers do seem to be trying to remedy this though, as 12.2% is the average annual increase locally, versus an average of 9.8% across other regions.
• Very surprisingly, in a country where the public health service is nowhere near the standards of the other areas we have surveyed, only 33% of employee’s receive health insurance (versus 43% in the UK for instance)
• More than 50% of South Africans rely on commissions or bonuses to supplement their salary by an additional 17.% per annum.
• It doesn’t always pay to live in Johannesburg! Even though the average salary up until a senior professional status is lower in Durban than in Gauteng, Partners & Equity Partners in Kwa-Zulu Natal are being paid more than their counterparts in the highveld.
• The most experienced (and understandably therefore the highest earning) professionals in the local property market are white men.
• 69% of respondents believe they are working for an ‘Employer of Choice’. The other 31% are highly likely to look for a new job within the next 12 months.
• The property industry is certainly a competitive one in South Africa. The average increase amongst the 59% of people who did receive an increase is above the rate of inflation, at over 12%

Macdonald and Company look forward to producing a similar survey next year, so that year on year trends can begin to emerge. We trust that this benchmarking service will prove invaluable to the market as a reference point.