About Us
Altiru Properties is the perfect choice for your property portfolio.
Our History
Altiru Properties was established in 2008 by Francois Smit to manage a private portfolio of residential properties that he co-owns. Fuelled by a desire to holistically optimise not only his investments, but also the experience of tenants, he pursued a somewhat different route than most agents out there. Placing a high value on relationships, he decided to treat tenants like mature and responsible adults who deserve good service for the largest single expense on their budget. He displayed an interest in the tenant’s life, and discovered that a little bit of a personal relationship makes an enormous difference to tenant behaviour. Key negative metrics like unpaid rent, vacancy rates and damage to property dropped to almost zero, while positive metrics like unsolicited compliments, net yield and cashflow all improved substantially.
Achieving success, clients (from another business) and friends started to take note and pressed him to also manage their properties. Altiru Properties registered as an estate agency in September 2012, with Francois Smit as the principal, and the doors were opened to discerning investors.
The core ethos of investing in solid relationships continues to permeate the business.
Francois holds B.Eng, M.Eng and M.A. degrees, and is a Master Practitioner of Real Estate.
Focus Markets
The focus of Altiru Properties can be defined along the three axes of Types of Landlords, Types of Properties and Geographical Area.
Types of Landlords (Rentals only)
Landlords with a portfolio of properties. We have the ability to handle a portfolio of properties spread throughout Gauteng under one roof by one team. We have experience in running portfolios of up to 20 properties, and will feel comfortable managing up to 50 properties in a single portfolio. Altiru Properties can analyse your portfolio on an annual basis on aspects like portfolio composition, risk, yield, cashflow, gearing etc and provide you with solid feedback as an input to your strategic planning for your portfolio.
Landlords living overseas or outside of Gauteng will find us your ideal partner. We know first-hand your particular need for quality communication and a competent, honest agent who will treat your property as well as he would his own. You need an agent who can be responsive and responsible when it comes to maintenance issues, an agent who will communicate timeously with you and keep you well in the loop when there is an issue that needs to be addressed, an agent who provides regular and accurate statements, an agent who can give you solid advice on a variety of matters. Altiru Properties is that agent.
Investors still cutting their teeth on their first few investment properties – assisting you with practical advice on aspects like sensible investment options, portfolio composition, yield, cashflow management & legal structures.
Types of Properties (Sales & Rentals)
In terms of sales our prime focus is on residential properties, with farms, small-holdings and commercial properties in the Garden Route becoming a secondary focus point. We have sold all of the following:
– Flats & Townhouses from R700k to R3m
– Houses from R800k to R5m
– Estate-living properties from R1m to R10m
– Farms & small-holdings
– Commercial properties (e.g. offices, smaller warehouses)
As far as rentals are concerned, our first focus is on townhouses & flats that can be let for R7,500 to R20,000 per month. This is the typical investment property, and represents most of our properties.
Our second rental focus is on cluster homes and stand-alone houses that can be let from R12,000 to R40,000 per month. Around 25% of the properties we currently manage fall in this category.
Geographical Focus (Sales & Rentals)
Altiru Properties manages and sells properties in the following Gauteng areas:
– Pretoria East
– Centurion
– Midrand
More recently, we also manage and sell properties in the Garden Route:
– George
– Mosselbay
– Knysna
