Scott Picken, CEO of International Property Solutions (IPS) believes a paradigm shift is occurring: 8 years ago, people would only invest in property in their own neighbourhood. Now, investors are starting to seek the best investments globally. IPS was created 5 years ago to facilitate international investments and provide an end-to-end solution to ensure that investors can invest with confidence!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

USA Property Report - Feb 2010

There are significant concerns about the USA economy and also the USA property market, but in amongst all this turmoil are also some fantastic opportunities. As with any overseas investment, an investor two most vital things are Information and Partners. What Scott Picken, IPS CEO, has tried to do here, is give you an overview of everything he found on his extensive trip around USA. This is the information so that you can make educated and intelligent decisions. Obviously it is a massive country and a massive market, but this was his opinion of everything he learnt. Scott says, “I believe there is significant opportunity in USA, but one has to be very careful or people could make financially disastrous decisions. I believe it is all about having the right partners on the ground to maximise on the opportunities available!”

Click here to download the rest - http://www.ipsinvest.com/News_193_IPS_USA_Property_Report_Feb_2010.aspx

Watch our USA Report – Movie - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA3Kch6f2xQ
• Scott Picken sitting in Time Square and explaining everything he found in USA (5 minutes)

Go to www.ipsinvest.com for more information.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

5 things you have to know and ask before you invest offshore?

Dear Potential Offshore Investor

Napoleon said, “Information was nine tenths of any battle.” The challenge is do you have the right information, are you choosing the right partners, making the right investments and most importantly asking the right questions?

1. Information – like water, the right information makes you finically healthier, but the wrong information is like poison.

a. 80% of people who invest offshore lose money and the investment becomes a tremendous headache in a short space of time! According to Real Estate Web -http://www.realestateweb.co.za/realestateweb/view/realestateweb/en/page206?oid=54920&sn=Detail – you could also make far better returns in South Africa.
b. The reason for this is that people make decisions without the right information. Sure the sales person gives them allot of information, but invariably they will give people what they want to hear?
c. An example of this is in the last few months South Africans have bought $184 million on the Gold Coast in Australia. They think they are getting a real bargain, but when you talk to Richard Dunn, OzInvest Acquisition Manager, a company who spends millions on research, says, “We get offered opportunities on the Gold Coast every day! At the moment we would never offer these to our investors as there are huge vacancies and the property values are in real trouble.” Similar examples are Manchester or Leeds, where South African investors believed they were buying real value (perceived huge discounts) and yet there is huge oversupply, banks are not lending and there are huge rental problems. Do we need to talk about the information presented on Dubai and how that has changed?

d. The questions you need to be asking:
i. “How much do you spend on your research monthly?”
ii. “Can you show me how you have communicated this research over the last couple of years, so that I can see you really understand your market?”
iii. “Can I see the research from an entity that doesn’t have a vested interest in selling something to me and who substantiates this information?”
iv. If someone is based in South Africa – “How often do you travel over to the investment country to understand the market and make sure you are keeping up to speed with current trends?”

2. Partners – the key to the vault of success!


a. In life there is a saying, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
b. Investors often underestimate how important the choice in your partner is to your long term success. Dr Dolf DeRoos, the World Famous International Property Investors says, “You are only as strong as your team.”
c. Many investors invest because they like the salesmen, they have been referred by a friend or they associate with a brand. This can be catastrophic to your success!
d. The questions you need to be asking:
i. “How long have you been helping people invest internationally?”
ii. “How many people have you assisted to invest in this specific country?”
iii. “Is this your core business, or something which is supplementary to your estate agency business where you help people buy homes?
iv. “Are you a property investor yourself and have you bought international property?”

3. Rentals – the life blood of property investment!

a. Property Investment fundamentals live and die on cashflow. Experienced property investors understand this and it is why they succeed in all property cycles. Inexperienced investors are always chasing the bargain, and yet often they find a great bargain or focus on capital growth, only to realise there is no rental market. This often destroys the investment and in many instances them financially.
b. Examples of this are Manchester where you can get 60% discounts but there are 2000 units oversupplied on the market. Dubai which is also at a 60% discount, but has massive oversupply problems (The numerous developers who offered rental guarantees who have gone bust are testament to this). And then Las Vegas which is 70% down, but there are 5000 families leaving a month as tourism is down by 60% and there are 32 000 homes on the market.
c. If there is one thing you have to be certain on is the rental market and where this demand is going to come from. You need to ask:
i. “How can you ensure me of the demand for my property when it is ready to rent?”
• I am not talking about a 1 or 2 year rental guarantee from the developer, which has often been included in the price. I am talking about me receiving long term sustainable rental income at market related rates from the demand which exists.
ii. “Are you prepared to put your money where your mouth is based on this guarantee or assurance?”
• How would you sustain this long term if you were wrong?

4. Local & International Offices – geography is so NB!

a. Many salesmen will travel to South Africa with a suitcase, put on a classy presentation, meet you in a hotel, sign you up, take your money and then leave in a couple of days. This is where all the problems start and you can’t get hold of them or find out what is happening, etc. and this is how a “great investment” (supposedly) turns into a lemon.
b. To be successful you need to ensure the partner you choose to invest with, not only has offices in the foreign country, but also offices and a physical presence in South Africa. It makes such a difference when you can speak to a local South African on the phone, on the same time scales and if needs be come and see them in their office whenever it suits you.
c. Questions you need to be asking:
i. “Where are you offices in South Africa and in the country I am investing in?”
ii. “If you don’t have offices in South Africa, how can I ensure that you will still be here in a couple of months or years when I need help with the investment I have bought?”
iii. “I would like to visit the property. Who is going to show me around overseas?”
iv. “How do you understand the market unless you have someone who is permanently looking for opportunities and living in the property market?”

5. After Sales Support – the helping hand you need! Trust me!


a. Most investors only focus on the purchase of the property and they forget how important it is to manage the sale. Salesmen are also only interested in closing the sale, but most importantly not to help you right through the process, when you are investing from afar. Many companies claim to provide the full service to you, but where are they based and how are they going to do it?
b. Questions which you need to ask:
i. “How big is your aftersales team and who will be assisting me personally making sure the property transfers timeously into my name?”
• Sorry I am not talking about the salesmen, I want an Aftersales Professional who has been dealing in this for many years and understands the nuances between South African property and overseas property.
ii. “What happens when the property is ready? Who will be assisting me with transfer of the property, inspections, etc?”
iii. “Can I see referrals from people who were happy with your service?”

With these simple questions you can ensure you don’t buy lemons and you can take advantage of the significant opportunities. It is not only wise it is prudent to invest some of your wealth in foreign markets. In the Real Estate article above it talks of the tremendous opportunities locally. We completely agree with this and continue to make great money in South Africa, through the use of strategic partners as they suggest. However once you have made this money, it is essential, if not irresponsible not to, to take some of this wealth and invest overseas. To achieve your goals of Asset Preservation, Capital Growth, a Rand Hedge, Diversification and Positive Cashflow in first world currencies – you need the right information and partners and most importantly to be asking the right questions!

Good luck!

Scott Picken
IPS CEO
www.ipsinvest.com

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Australian home values deliver double digit growth in 2009

RP Data – Rismark Home Value Index Release

Australian home prices rise by +1.1% in November with 11.3% cumulative growth in first 11 months of 2009; results driven by robust gains in Sydney (+11.6% for year) and Melbourne (+17.0% for year).

Based on the rpdata.com residential property database, which is the nation’s largest with over 250,000 sales in the first eleven months of 2009 alone, Australia’s housing market continued to grind out strong gains in the month of November with cumulative double-digit growth recorded in the year-to-date.

According to the RP Data (rpdata.com)-Rismark National Home Value Index, which is published by the RBA in the Statement on Monetary Policy, Australian home values rose by an indicative 1.1 per cent in the month of November after 1.3 per cent growth in October (October’s initial indicative estimate was 1.4 per cent).*

Over the first 11 months of 2009, Australian home values rose by 11.3 per cent following on from their modest 3.8 per cent peak-to-trough falls in 2008.

The most important story of 2009 has been the extraordinary recovery in the Melbourne and Sydney housing markets. In the three months to end November, home values in Melbourne and Sydney have outperformed most other capitals rising by 4.5 per cent and 3.2 per cent, respectively (see summary tables for more).

Over the year-to-date, Melbourne has been Australia’s best performing capital city outside of Darwin, generating exceptional capital gains of +17.0 per cent. Sydney home values have increased by more than 1 per cent per month with cumulative growth of 11.6 per cent.

In the first 11 months of 2009, most of the other capital cities have performed strongly with Darwin (+17.9 per cent) leading the way, followed by Canberra (+10.9 per cent), Brisbane (+6.9 per cent), Perth (+6.5 per cent) and Adelaide (+5.7 per cent).

According to Christopher Joye, managing director of Rismark International, “At the end of 2008 most forecasters were predicting substantial house price falls in the following 12 months. Almost all of them were proven wrong. Australia’s housing market has surprised on the upside with impressive double-digit capital gains in the year-to-date. The inability of most analysts to get close to divining Australia’s housing market trajectory during the GFC and in the recovery since, combined with the many misconceptions one typically hears about housing, illustrates just how poorly understood the sector is.”

Rpdata.com Research Director Tim Lawless suggests that the November results highlight that the Australian market may be less sensitive to interest rate rises and the removal of Government stimulus than many would have thought.

“The strong November results were achieved despite the 25 basis point lifts in the official cash rate in October and November as well as the wind back of the boost to the First Home Owners Grant which was halved on the first of October. First home buyers have been trending down since peaking in May ’09 and the gap is being filled by upgraders and investors who are much less sensitive to rate rises and the level of stimulus.”

Christopher Joye said, “first time buyers have been fading from the market and the withdrawal of the boost has yet to have any discernible impact on price growth. The key driver of Australian housing demand in the latter half of the year appears to have been upgraders and investors. We expect this trend to continue in 2010.”

He said that as mortgage rates normalise to around 7-8 per cent, house price growth will taper back to more modest single-digit levels in 2010. Since many borrowers did not reduce their mortgage repayments in 2008-09 when the RBA cut rates by circa 40 per cent, household balance-sheets should be well positioned to absorb higher costs.”

Rpdata.com’s Tim Lawless agreed stating that value growth in Australia’s residential sector is likely to be more subdued than what was recorded in 2009.

“2009 has been both an exceptional and surprising year for Australia’s property market.”

“Looking forward we would expect market conditions to moderate into 2010 as interest rates continue move back to a neutral setting and the remainder of the Government stimulus is rolled back. The primary driver of growth will continue to be an under supply of housing coupled with extraordinary housing demand fuelled by population growth,” he said.


Market dynamics

The median Australian home price in all capital cities over the three months to end November was $439,800 (including houses and units). If we include all regions across Australia (i.e. not just the circa 40 per cent of homes located in capital cities), the national median dwelling price is $395,000. (Note: that these are the ‘middle value’ or 50th percentile median prices based on the pooled sales over the last three months.)

The median Australian house price in capital cities is $470,000 while the median unit price is $390,000.

The most expensive houses, based on median price, are in Sydney ($550,000), followed by Canberra ($535,000), Darwin ($501,000), Melbourne ($486,400), Perth ($485,000), Brisbane ($449,850), Adelaide ($372,000) and Hobart ($330,000).

Sydney has the most expensive unit market with a median price of ($417,000). This is followed by Melbourne ($402,500), Canberra ($390,000), Perth ($385,000), Brisbane ($375,000), Darwin ($357,000), Adelaide ($310,000) and Hobart ($270,750).

In the month of November, detached houses (+1.0 per cent) have underperformed units (+1.3 per cent).

Over the three months to end November, unit values (+3.1 per cent) have also shaded houses (+2.9 per cent).

And in the year-to-date, units (+12.5 per cent) have materially outperformed houses (+10.9 per cent) presumably due to the influence of the first time buyers’ boost.

National rental yields tapered slightly in November with the gross annualised rental yield for units being 4.9 per cent while house yields are lower at 4.1 per cent.

Notes
* This data is indicative and subject to revision. It is typically based on approximately 30-40 per cent of the total population of expected home sales. RP Data ultimately collects roughly 100 per cent of all property sales via its license agreements with every State and Territory Government Valuer General and Land Titles Office. This is reflected in subsequently reported index results (ie, in the months preceding the current indicative period).

**The median price is the 50th percentile observation based on all pooled home sales over the three months to end November 2009. This is different to the medians reported by other parties for several reasons. First, where appropriate it includes all property types (ie, not just detached houses, like the ABS). Second, the median value reported by the likes of APM is calculated using a ‘stratification technique’, which is different to the simple 50th percentile observation used here. RP Data-Rismark’s previously reported ‘median values’ must also be interpreted differently. These are the index values attributable to the RP Data-Rismark ‘hedonic index’, which was originally based at inception on median automated property valuation estimates (ie, the median of a statistical valuation of all capital city homes). The change in the index value over time reflects the underlying capital growth rates generated by residential property in the relevant region. These growth rates are not influenced by capital expenditure on homes, compositional changes in the types of properties being transacted, or variations in the type and quality of new homes manufactured over time. The RP Data-Rismark ‘median values’ are not, therefore, the same as the ‘simple median price’ associated with all homes sold during a given period. In future, we will report simple median prices to avoid any further confusion.

Ends. Additional information – please contact Mitch Koper at RP Data on 0417 771 778 or Christopher Joye on 0414 980 264.

Key statistics, tables and graphs available in the PDF (289kb). - http://www.ipsinvest.com/News_188_Australian_home_values_deliver_double_digit_growth_in_2009_14_February_2010.aspx

UK Property is up 0.7% in Jan 2010 - 9th consecutive month of growth!

 House prices in January rose by 0.7% Page 4

The average price of all residential property transactions completed in England & Wales in January 2010 was 0.7% higher than in December. This is the ninth month in succession in which AcadHPI has increased on a monthly basis.

 Annual price increase is 5.4% Page 4

On an annual basis, in January, the average price of all residential property transactions in England & Wales was 5.4% higher than a year ago - a significant market recovery. It is the third consecutive month in which the annual rate of change in house prices is positive.

 December transactions are the highest for two years, helped by the stamp duty holiday
Page 3

This was a strong end to 2009 which had seen the lowest number of annual housing transactions in England and Wales since the Land Registry began computerising its records in 1995. The market in December was assisted by an increase in the sale of properties valued below £175,000, with purchasers seeking to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday which ended on 31 December 2009.

Dr Peter Williams, Chairman of Acadametrics, said
“The average price of a home rose again in January 2010 and, at £215,016, is almost back to where it was in January 2007, three years ago. The increase of 0.7% is the ninth in succession, suggesting a recovery that is now well entrenched. However, the rise from 0.4% in December to 0.7% in January is modest, and it is hard to draw firm conclusions, given that the monthly increase had been slowing since September and there are strong regional variations in the recovery story. Without doubt, year end activity was heightened by the anticipated end of year closure of the stamp duty holiday for properties up to £175,000 which had been in place since September 2008 as we discuss later. This factor, along with historically low interest rates for some borrowers and much else, adds layers of complexity in trying to anticipate what the market might do next.”

“The average price of a home in England & Wales is now £215,016. At this level, it is still down £16,812 or 7% from its peak in February 2008 of £231,828, but prices have recovered significantly and the index is showing a 5.4% increase over the last twelve months. The fact that there remain strong regional variations in this reported trend does mean that household experience will vary considerably, although prices in all regions are currently moving in the same direction - upwards.

“It is clear that, with average monthly increases of 0.6% over the last three months compared to double that (1.2%) over the previous three months, price increases have been moderating, and it is too early to say with any confidence as to whether this trend will continue. Published house price forecasts for the year vary from plus 10% to minus 10%, which gives a clear sense of the current uncertainty. Total mortgage lending for 2009 was £143.5 billion gross and £11.5 billion net, down from £254 billion gross and £41 billion net in 2008. The latest Trends in Lending report published by the Bank of England in late January noted some improvement in credit availability and for higher loan to value ratios. The evidence supports the view that the thaw continues, but there is little to suggest there will be a sharp recovery in mortgage volumes. Furthermore, the recent statement by the Council of Mortgage Lenders concerning the need for continued governmental assistance for lender funding sends a clear warning of possible consequential future mortgage constraint, raised interest rates and falling house prices. Uncertainty alone will restrain the market.”


HOUSING TRANSACTIONS

“Overall, the number of housing transactions in England and Wales has increased by 51% during Q4 2009 (October–December 2009) compared with the same three months in 2008. The year began on an all time low of 27,637 monthly transactions, representing a 60% reduction on the 15-year average for January of 67,378 monthly transactions. However, during the year the monthly transaction count rose, with December sales reaching an estimated 76,000, the highest level since December 2007 – a figure which will have been influenced by the year end cessation of the stamp duty holiday for homes costing up to £175,000. Some might say of the year – in like a lamb and out like a lion!

“The 51% increase in annual transactions has two distinct underlying trends. The first trend is of a North/Midlands/South gradation in the increase in the number of homes sold. In the Northern regions and Wales, the average increase in housing transactions has been 34% or less; in the Midlands the increase has been between 42% and 56% whilst, in the Southern regions including London, there has been an annual increase of 66% to 68% in the number of properties sold.

“The second trend is one of different activity levels by property type. Over the three months October–December 2009, compared with the same three months in 2008, increases in the numbers of properties sold have been as follows: detached 69%, semi-detached 61%, terraces 46% and flats 26%.

“Comparing Q4 2009 with Q3 2009 these trends appear to be changing. The increase in the number of housing transactions in London over the period is 0.2%, whilst in the rest of the country the increase has been an average of 6%. The volume of flats, terraced and semi-detached homes sold has similarly increased by 6% over this period, whilst sales of detached properties have increased by a more modest 1%. The mini-boom in the purchase of detached properties in the southern counties would thus appear to be over, at least for the time-being.”

Download the full document here - http://www.ipsinvest.com/News_187_UK_Property_is_up_07_in_Jan_2010_9th_consecutive_month_of_growth.aspx

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

South African property is waking up, but what is happening in London?

By Scott Picken, 10th Feb 2010

As South African’s moved into 2010, with allot of hope about the year and of course our awesome World Cup, there was definitely a sense of optimism which is prevailing. Scott Picken, IPS CEO says, “We have definitely noticed this trend with a large increase in interest for South African property. The great thing is this is locally and also from the expats in London and other countries!”

So the South African market is starting to recover but what is happening elsewhere. Australia continues to boom, but another market which is recovering strongly is the London market. Although the economic picture is far from certain with the UK being the last country in the G20 to come out of recession and with a poultry growth of 0.1%, the property market is into a full swing recovery. According to all the property indicators the property market reached the trough in March / April of 2009. Since then there has been growth consecutively every month. Click here for the latest reports. It is still roughly down 7% from the peak of February 2008, but it grew 4.2% for the last 12 calendar months.

The market recovery has also been spurred on with investment from areas like Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. On a recent trip to London, Scott met with all the top property companies and developers. An example of this was King Sturge who went to Hong Kong in April 2009 and sold 130 units on a weekend. From there, there was significant demand and there were many launches. King Sturge went to the East and had exhibitions on 23 weekends last year and averaged 60 – 80 sales a weekend. The question you would ask is where is the appetite from the East coming? It comes down to 3 major factors. The sterling has weekend 30% in the last 2 years, property is down 30% and banks are more willing to lend to foreigners at the moment as they are willing put down 30% deposits. People in these countries, understand the opportunity when they see it, are long term investors and see London as a great long term investment!

This demand has now transpired into the local markets. Galliard Homes, one of the prime developers in London who IPS strategically partnered with had a exhibition for locals in London this weekend and they sold 130 apartments.

IPS believes South Africans are in a very similar position to those people in the East. Although the South African economy has taken longer to recover, the Rand is strong against the pound and there are great asset value opportunities in London. Outside of London the market is still in trouble, but in London now is certainly the time to be investigating. IPS is proud to announce it has a number of various opportunities from New Developments with great discounts, existing distressed properties and the opportunity to invest in Central London property from as little as £10 000.

We will be holding information sessions around South Africa to explain what is happening in the London market and where the opportunities lie!

If you are considering Offshore Property then this is something you need to understand. We will cover –

• 5 essential things you need to know before you invest offshore.
• 7 fundamental items of London property.

Go to www.ipsinvest.com to book for the events.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Why Adelaide ?
• During the next 30 years, the government is planning for steady population
growth of 560,000 people in Greater Adelaide.
• South Australia’s population is expected to reach two million by 2027.
• 258,000 additional homes needed in the next 30 years for Greater Adelaide.
• 9,000 additional homes needed in the next 30 years for the Adelaide Hills
alone.
• Government planning for economic growth of $127.7 Billion over 30 years.
• 282,000 jobs expected to be created over 30 years.
• There is an estimated shortfall of over 200,000 properties being demanded by
renters and owner occupiers.
• South Australia set to benefit from $100 billion worth of future defence
projects, creating 5,000 jobs.
• SA’s GDP grew by 5.2 last year.
• In November 2009 South Australia’s property market has recorded its best
results since the global financial crisis.
• Adelaide Hills / Mount Barker
• A population increase of 29,000 has been earmarked for the Adelaide Hills &
Murray Bridge.
• Mount Barker set to grow from 10,500 to almost 29,000 within 15 years.
• Over the last two years, Mount Barker’s population has increased by about 17%
to 12,500.
• Mount Barker’s population increased by 3% last year, 3 times the national
average.
• Recent mining activity at several locations has drawn many workers to the
Adelaide Hills.
• Real Estate Industry leaders believes the Adelaide Hills to be one of the
top 5 performing suburbs in 2010 with some suburbs predicted to rise by 10%.
• Due to a large percentage of tradespeople, the Adelaide Hills will be one of
the areas least affected by unemployment.
• Mount Barker is the second fastest growing council in all of South Australia.

Homes to hit $1m in decade

Herald Sun, Wednesday, January 20, 2010 11 Greg Thorn
THE average Melbourne home may cost more than $1 million by 2020.

Real estate analysts predict the median price of a house will be $1,166,344. According to property expert and wealth creation author Michael Yardney, the trend will be repeated
in every Australian capital. "They (house prices) are likely to be closer to $1.5 million," he said.


The prediction comes after a record year in Melbourne's overheated property market, which
boomed despite the global economic crisis. Statistics compiled by Mr Yardney from a variety
of sources including the Real Estate Institute of Australia, show house prices in Melbourne grew from an average $230,500 in October 1999 to $518,500, an increase of more than 124 per cent.
"A lot can happen in 10 years," he said. "Median house prices have more than doubled
in every capital city and in some cities property values have gone up more than 200 per cent.

"These increases have occurred despite a recession in 2001, a change Millionaires: average house prices will rocket. of government, periods of high interest rates and the global financial
crisis," he said. Despite the booming local market, Mr Yardney's figures show Melbourne will be overtaken by every other capital except Adelaide by 2019.

The west is destined to take the property mantle, with Perth tipped to snare the top median house price of more than $1.6 million by the end of the decade, followed by Brisbane and Canberra ($1.4 million) and Sydney ($1.2 million).

"Our major cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are growing at an enormous pace and are
bursting at the seams," Mr Yardney said. He said some forecasts suggested the population
of all three cities, including southeast Queensland, could each grow by 700,000 people over the next 10 years.


This should create a building boom and the economic prosperity that gives home owners and
investors confidence. "We are moving into a new economic cycle with record population growth
fuelled by rising immigration and a baby boom," Mr Yardney said.

Friday, February 5, 2010

IPS is looking for the best 3 Sales People in South Africa! Want to get the best International Training there is?

International Property Solutions (IPS) is looking for the best 3 sales people in South Africa. Please do not reply to this opportunity unless you are the best!

Although there are challenges in both the local and the international property markets, IPS has some fantastic and exciting opportunities and thus more demand than we can handle. Depending on your ability, the range you can earn:

• Average performer = R30 000 a month
• Great performer = over R200 000 a month or more! (including foreign income)


Young or Old if you have the stuff we will know.

Location not a problem – ability is what we are looking for. Most importantly is the ability to work with High Networth Individuals and even better is if you have your own network!

Either Full time, or if you have your own company, we can become strategic partners!

If you are interested, please email to salesmen@ipsinvest.com. Please tell me why should we choose you & why you are the best?

We have our first International Training Academy of the year on the 16th and 17th of Feb 2010 and we are looking for the best to be part of this!


This is what you can expect:

Value to you – 10 Items which are vital to your future!

1. Ability to earn foreign income.
2. Ability for great cashflow.
3. Ability to grow your international business part time, while running your successful business.
4. Ability to provide real value to your clients and offer them a differentiated product which they want.
5. Ability to learn the latest trends in property. South Africa is directly affected by what is happening international and this will position you as a market leader when you can speak with you clients with experience about the global market and how it will affect them locally.
6. Ability to learn the latest techniques being used internationally to provide your client with the best service and therefore get the most profitable use of your time (make more sales).
7. Ability to learn the latest techniques and methods to get the maximum returns from your Internet, Google, your website, email and social networking strategies.
8. Ability to be part of an International Network which provides you with credibility, but also the benefit of using it for securing local mandates.
9. Ability to be part of the International Network where you will be able to benefit from the mutual partnerships, constant information sessions for your clients and quarterly and yearly events to keep you abreast with the latest international trends. This will ensure you remain the leader in your industry.
10. Ability to remain being the Number One Player in your market and take your business to the next level!

Key Benefits of the International Training Academy

Scott Picken, IPS CEO, is constantly travelling the world and attending courses to understand the latest trends and techniques. On his latest course in USA, there was an intensive 4 day course (60 hours and a cost of R150 000) from 12 of America’s Leading Businessman on how to deal with the current market, take advantage of it and grow your business by 300% in 2010! Scott wants to try and share everything he learnt and some of these are:

1. Vision – what do you ultimately want for your business?
2. What season are you in?
3. The life cycle of business – how to get to the next level?
4. Power of Strategic Innovation
5. 3 ways to grow your business
a. New methods for marketing in the 21st century
b. New ways to get clients to take action
6. Defining your business process
7. 12 skills of all great companies
8. Direction of Influence – the Rugby Field Communication Model
9. 7 steps for implementing everything in your business
a. RPM
b. Your master action plan to implement

Please also pass onto to anyone who you think would relish this opportunity.

I look forward to working with the best.

Scott Picken
IPS CEO

2010 – Learn, Invest, Hold or Watch others?

Dear IPS Investor

After my 3 week trip to USA and the UK, I have some fascinating information to share about what is happening in those markets, where they are going and how they are going to effect the South African market and international markets.

There is so much to go into about and I will be covering them at the various presentations. (click here to book). Things which we will cover, are in the USA is the Double Dip – the possibility of another crash; property prices in Vegas being 70% down; the commercial market and its serious problems; or the most expensive house being $74 million in California, yet how the state is bankrupt; the fact over 90 000 USA are coming to South Africa for the world cup or that 21% are behind on payments and this could be as high as 50% by the Summer; Unemployment being the same as the Great Depression; - There is just so much you need to read the USA report or in our USA movie. (Posts coming)

In the UK, the market is recovering – 8 straight months in a row of growth; hundreds of Eastern Investors have invested in London in recent months; there is a buying frenzy and some companies went to Hong Kong, etc 23 times last year; Central London has recovered completely and some agents in the best suburbs had their best months ever; other parts of the UK are in dire trouble; what the future holds with 0.1% growth and unemployment problems. We do have some great opportunities to take advantage of the perfect timing!

In Australia, my partner Brad went to explore that market and it continues to boom, being the only country in the G20 to have positive growth in 2009 and with the fundamentals in place to allow for long term demand and growth. We have live events and opportunities from all over the country and this is something you need to seriously consider in 2010.

Finally to the most important country and that is South Africa. Our World Cup has finally arrived and there is a noticeable increase in optimism in the country which is awesome. It was great to see the enthusiasm and demand from expats in London at our latest event in Jan! This will be an unforgettable year in this country and put South Africa on the World Stage – a catalyst which will bring huge returns in the future!

Scott Picken
IPS CEO
www.ipsinvest.com
"If you help enough other people get what they want, you can have anything you want!"

Zig Ziglars