60 GQ.CO.ZA OCTOBER 2017
wealth
PROFILE
brought credibility to PropertyFox and we
are now at a point where we can extend
our marketing channels into the above-
the-line space.
GQ: Tell us about the actual client
journey. Have you found that clients
have enjoyed the home selling process
more because they’ve been more
directly involved with showing and
other steps?
AJ: Our client journey is simple and
efficient. We allow home sellers to be part
of the process, from ‘art directing’ their
professional photos to receiving live
analytics and competitor updates in the
market. Sellers confirm bookings,
showcase their own home and leave
absolutely everything else up to us. So not
only do sellers meet their potential buyers,
but they can now understand the level of
supply and demand in their immediate
areas at the present time.
There’s a commonly held understanding
that a buyer should never meet a seller in a
home sale. We’ve turned that completely
on its head. There’s now truth and
transparency behind the sale. No one
knows their home better than the sellers
do, bringing complete authenticity to the
sale. The transaction process is handled by
the team and technolog y at PropertyFox.
GQ: Do you plan on adding any
additional features or services to the
portfolio, for example a flatmate
finder? Is it something that could
extend to commercial real estate?
AJ: We will always continue innovating
our offering. Quite recently we introduced
a drone offering to our premier product on
a national scale, which allows us to take
our representation of homes to another
level. We’ve made residential property
sales our core focus, although commercial
sales have been an easy spin-off for those
that battle to sell traditionally. The rental
market, developments and commercial
space is something that we could focus on
in the future, but not for now. We’ll always
be evolving our technolog y so our offering
is always as good as it can possibly be.GQ: You are a bit of a serial
entrepreneur – what do you find unique
about doing business in South Africa?
AJ: I am an eternal optimist – so despite
the political problems we face, I totally
believe in our country. South Africa’s
bearish position gives rise to many
opportunities for entrepreneurs to step in
and provide solutions to help consumers.
Bearish conditions open up the need for
people to save money allowing for models
like PropertyFox to really show their
potential. South Africa is filled with
opportunities and talent. The success of
PropertyFox is the passion of the team. We
truly believe that what we are doing for
local home sellers is revolutionary.GQ: A few of your businesses
(like Oishi Sushi) have utilised
technology as the primary platform
instead of a customer-facing
physical space. What advantages
and disadvantages does that kind
of setup offer?
AJ: It allows for you to really decreaseinput costs, with an unlimited output. You
can invest all your time and money into a
product that serves the consumer, rather
than into expensive physical setups that
aren’t necessarily proportionate to brand
growth or revenue.
Our Property Managers travel over
35 000km every week without even leaving
their desks. The internet gives every
business the potential to become a global
brand. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be
an entrepreneur. Access to the internet and
data allows for industries to truly reinvent
themselves. Tech businesses can feel
slightly impersonal so this can be seen
as a disadvantage. But our whole model
is geared towards building relationships
through exceptional, personalised
communication at every level. For instance,
we communicate with our sellers and
buyers on Whatsapp, we make sure our
staff have a ‘face’ by ensuring they have
a photo attached to all communications,
and we hire warm, friendly people who
genuinely want to give sellers a better deal.
It’s working for us.GQ: Do you think most businesses
will start to migrate to this model?
AJ: Businesses need to start focusing on
solutions that speak for the people. When
you’re on the side of the consumer, you’re
bound for success. The models of the
future will be those that offer complete
transparency, affordability and speed.‘When you’re on the side of the consumer, you’re bound for
success. The models of the future will be those that offer
complete transparency, affordability and speed’HOW PROPERTYFOX WORKS
Sign up online at
propertyfox.co.za
Use the platform
to schedule
a photographer
for your property.
You select the
final images.Get your photos
back within 48
hours, and edit/
approve your
listing’s content.PropertyFox
publishes your listing
on every property
site in the country,
and international
portals on request.All potential buyers
are verified before
being introduced to
you. You schedule
your own viewings.The PropertyFox
team helps with
all the legal stuff.
You’ll only pay the
platform a 1.5%
commission.