An innovative online platform, aimed at assisting property buyers and sellers in South Africa to find the best real estate agents for their needs, is gathering momentum.
BestAgent.co.za, which uses authenticated sales data and client reviews, aims to simplify the process of finding suitable agents in a market with over 45,000 registered professionals.
Founded by Stefan van Niekerk, a real estate attorney and conveyancer, and Marcel Koole, with expertise in computer science and psychology, BestAgent evaluates estate agents based on their transaction success in specific regions. This approach is designed to provide users with data-driven insights to make informed decisions.
The concept originated during the March 2020 lockdown and was developed into a functional solution by Koole in June 2021. Since then, the platform has registered nearly 800 estate agents, with over 100 joining in the past month alone.
“Our platform is a game-changer for anyone navigating the real estate market,” said Van Niekerk, the CEO. “We provide a transparent and reliable way for both buyers and sellers to identify the best-suited estate agents in their desired areas.”
The platform’s distinctive feature is its verification process. Sales data is incorporated into the platform only after the official transfer of property at the Deeds Office, ensuring the accuracy of the information provided. This method is a departure from traditional real estate practices, which often involve agents continuously reaching out to potential sellers over long periods.
Van Niekerk noted that in South Africa, homeowners typically change properties every nine years. BestAgent.co.za is designed to change the traditional approach, allowing buyers and sellers to connect with agents when they are ready to transact.
This model, according to Van Niekerk, has been successful in other markets such as the USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Koole highlighted the platform’s use of various data points, including property type, location, price, sale date, and client reviews, to independently rank estate agents’ performance in different South African cities and neighbourhoods.
“All these data points are verified before it is published on our platform,” he added. – GeekWire.co.za
