Building the Property Ladder (The Bugle)

Welcome to 2013 and the opportunity to make a difference. At Seeff Dolphin Coast we are inspired by other influential entrepreneurs from around the world who have built sustainable businesses while at the same time making an incredible difference in the lives of those people they touch. One of the most amazing companies I have come across is a California based shoemaker called Tom’s Shoes (www.toms.com). Based on a philosophy of “One for One”, they give away a new pair of shoes to a needy child for every pair they sell, they are now active in over 50 countries globally and combine their charity with education about hygiene and healthy behaviours. They have also expanded into eyewear and provide prescription glasses, medical treatment and sight-saving surgery to those communities that need it most. 

We at Seeff Dolphin Coast have been blessed with exponential growth over the past three years, and in a market that can be described as flat when measured by total number and value of registered property transactions. Our business is driven by the guiding purpose of “Helping people to profit through property” and our daily management decisions are supported by six unchangeable values, which are set in stone. These are: Excellence; Integrity, Experience, Creativity, Passion and Family. We know who we are and where we are going. 

A measure of success I have always applied and promoted is that it is not how much you have, but how much you are able to give away that really counts. I am therefore typically unimpressed with the published reports on the 100 wealthiest individuals, either globally or locally, but regard individuals such as Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, who have been able to allocate billions to make a difference in the lives of others as incredibly successful. At Seeff Dolphin Coast we took the decision last year to allocate a certain amount from every property transaction, we are involved with and benefit from, to assist those people in our immediate community who are most in need. There is no shortage of needy people, but the children orphaned through HIV Aids and supported by faith based work in our greater Dolphin Coast community we consider as excellent candidates for our gifts. As great as it is to receive gifts, it feels even better when we are able to give them. We hope to encourage other businesses within our community to adopt a similar mentality, no matter how small, so that together we can make a significant impact. The ability for us as a property company to thrive depends on a healthy and economically active community from the lowest levels to the very highest. We think of property ownership as a ladder to wealth generation, with entry-level housing forming the first rung, and this progressing upwards with each higher tier of pricing. Each level supports and leads to the next. We will facilitate the movement of individuals along this property ladder at whatever level they are. For those not on the ladder as yet, allow us the advise you on how to get onto this ladder as soon as possible – it will be the smartest decision you make this year.

(Author: Andreas Wassenaar, published in The Bugle, 9 Jan 2013)