Riaan Kruger, a well-known personality in the hospitality circuit from Robertson, has partnered with the CEO of Fine & Country International Realty to open Fine & Country in Robertson.
Riaan Kruger and Linda Erasmus, CEO of Fine & Country International Realty sub-Saharan Africa.Kruger, who has a wealth of experience in the hospitality and lifestyle industry, chose the real estate industry due to the synergies between the hospitality industry and real estate. He believes service is the key and that there’s always scope for better service.
The office is in Voortrekker Road, part of the R60 which leads to the R62, as well as back to the N2 at Swellendam, is one of the busier routes in the Western Cape and is used to travel from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn and the Garden Route.
“We decided to open Fine & Country inside a lifestyle shop as it suits the brand perfectly. I can now establish potential buyers’ and sellers’ requirements and needs over a cup of coffee in an environment which is less formal and can get to know our clients’ needs on a more personal level,” says Kruger.
This new Fine & Country office will open in late August but the official opening will be 1 September. Kruger says he decided to join this brand as it stands out from the rest and also due to the fact that it is an international brand, which has achieved major success in such a short time on the South African market.
He says in the beginning it will be just Linda Erasmus and him until they show growth. “We will cover the Robertson Wine Valley, Montagu, Bonnievale, Ashton and McGregor and we hope to open a secondary office in Montagu and home agents in the other areas within four to 12 months.
“We will concentrate on residential, agricultural and lifestyle living, as well as short- and long-term rentals. We could also even consider holiday letting for the Robertson Wine Valley. There is huge scope for thinking out of the box. Any other property listing would be a possibility as my expertise lies in tourism and hospitality. As Robertson is known as the Valley of Wine and Roses, the upper quartile of our market would be smallholdings, lifestyle farms, or even just people from elsewhere who want to invest in a weekend cottage.
“Over time, we could grow the Fine & Country hospitality arm comprising lodges, guest houses and hotels throughout South Africa. However, we would like to ease into it over time. It’s nice to say you specialise in something, for instance, hospitality or agriculture. We would like to concentrate mainly on boutique hotels and lodges,” says Kruger.
He says being part of an international group with great technology, marketing and networking opportunities will set them apart from their competition. Sellers in the Robertson Wine Valley will immediately benefit from this as they now have the opportunity to market through an exclusive international brand with an exceptional reputation to a wider audience, not just in South Africa, but abroad.
“South African estate agents in general neglect effort when it comes to property presentation. The fresh approach of Fine & Country is achieved by presenting properties well to an extensive market place. Reaching the buyer is not the only task of the estate agent; getting a clear message of what the product consists of and the lifestyle it offers acquires skills and knowledge in the field of marketing.” This is a Fine & Country difference.
Kruger says the huge benefit of working within a network is getting news and listings across a wider spectrum and audience from a marketing point of view. Potential buyers in the winelands may want to invest in an apartment in the city and potential buyers from the city may want a weekend getaway spot in the countryside. There are also certain audiences that like to diversify their investment portfolio which can include property in multiple countries or parts of South Africa.
“With travel and tourism as my background, I still do assist lodges and boutique hotels with operational issues, marketing and sales on a consultative basis. I am also co-founder of a gourmet tour operator called Foodroutes.co.za. I look forward to this new chapter in my life and hope to make a positive contribution to the brand.”
Current principal of Fine & Country Robertson and CEO of Fine & Country International Realty sub-Saharan Africa, Linda Erasmus, says having been involved in various segments of the hospitality industry for 15 years, Kruger is bringing a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, service orientation, marketing and sales skills to the table which will benefit the brand as well as the Robertson Wine Valley.
Kruger will be able to learn from the best, as Linda Erasmus herself has got a string of accolades behind her name, as well as an LLB degree which she recently completed. Clients will benefit from a good support system already in place to support Kruger.
