Property unit trusts can be expected to return to growth in earnings this year and a re-rating of the sector will boost capital values by up to 10%.

DURBAN Property unit trust Martprop Property Fund anticipated finalising deals worth R150m within the next month and was actively seeking acquisitions while the market offered good values, MD Roger Perkin said yesterday.

The deals concluded by property unit trust Martprop in the past few months, combined with improved industrial sector prospects could restore the group's fortunes.

Directly-held industrial property needs extra care and is as prone to new trends and changing demographics as the office or retail sectors, says Roger Perkin, asset manager of Marriott Property Fund (Martprop).Perkin said to Business Day that the performance of listed property vehicles against directly- held property continues to highlight the need for experience and skill in assembling and managing a portfolio.