Strong property fundamentals were continuing to boost retention of tenants with expiring leases in Martprop’s R2,6 billion portfolio, managing director Roger Perkin said today. “The firm demand for quality, well located assets has pegged vacancies in the portfolio at 1,5%,“ he said. “It is also underpinning retention of expiring leases at above 80%. “

Competition Tribunal has approved the acquisition by Old Mutual Properties of the property businesses of Marriott paving the way for the creation of South Africa's largest property asset management company called Old Mutual Property group - with assets totalling some 32 billion rand.

The strong growth in property values has been a mixed blessing for SA's listed property sector, which is struggling to purchase fixed properties, as there seem to be so few sellers.

The Allan Gray Property Fund (Grayprop) makes it into the Morgan Stanley Capital International Global Index (MSCI) - an achievement that is sure to get the attention of international investors. With Grayprop managing director John Rainier

Property funds are different from most listed companies.

Emira announces purchase of three buildings for R 50m

THERE are lessons to be learnt from last week's news that property loan stock firm Arnold Property Fund (A-Prop) is planning legal action in a bid to recoup value lost since listing.

Industrial-focused property loan stock company Metboard Properties has had a revival in fortunes.

Africa offers a number of opportunities for SA merchant and investment banks, and they are competing successfully with global banks.

WHILE some of the better performing listed property loan-stock companies believe that there is room for a positive rerating, commentators say that this has already taken place and if there is another it will be small.