The South African listed property sector, which recently surpassed the R100bn market capitalisation threshold for the first time, could again double in size over the next two years as the much talked about foreign investment flow into local real estate stocks starts to materialise

Ask any analysts or fund manager if there are any cheap steals left in the listed property sector and the unanimous answer is "no". After all, the sector is trading at an average 56% premium to net asset value.

Acucap announced the deal this week for proposed acquisition of a blue chip

Allan Gray Property Trust (Grayprop) reports that its net distributable income for the first six months of the financial year amounted to 21,4c a unit, a 10,9% increase on the distributions for the same period last year

Acucap Properties has unveiled a takeover bid for Atlas Properties in a deal valued at about R820m

The strong up-tick in demand for listed property stock in recent months has surprised even the most bullish of industry commentators

Listed property unit trust SA Corporate Real Estate Fund has come a long way in terms of market position from its previous incarnation as Martprop Property Fund.

The Budget presented by the Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel to parliament on 21 February has some very positive implications for the listed property market.

More South African listed property companies and funds are expected to branch out overseas in the future, following similar moves in that direction by a number of local property companies, say property market analysts.

An important debate is taking place in listed property circles regarding the use of external management companies for day-to-day operations, acquisitions and disposals.