Meet Simon Andrew: The Seller’s Agent in Hermanus

Simon Andrew: In a suit

You’ve put time, money and something of yourself into your property. When you sell, you deserve someone who takes that investment seriously.

I’m Simon Andrew, the person behind Rare Erf and an estate agent with Fine & Country in Hermanus.

I see my role as The Seller’s Agent: someone focused on protecting your interests, helping you make informed decisions and working towards the best possible outcome from your sale.

That work starts with understanding what matters to you – and what will make your property matter to a buyer.

A career in understanding what makes people choose

My background brings together psychology, marketing and property.

My degree in psychology and my training in negotiation help me understand what motivates people, what may be holding them back and how to keep conversations constructive.

Then there’s marketing. I have a graduate marketing qualification and more than three decades’ experience with international marketing consultancies, working as a brand strategist, award-winning creative director and copywriter.

Over that time, I’ve worked on hundreds of brands including Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, Samsung, Porsche, Leica, BMW and Siemens. The questions behind that work are just as relevant to selling a home:

What will attract the right person’s attention? What will they value? What might make them hesitate? And how do we give them a convincing reason to choose?

I apply that thinking to the way your property is positioned, presented and promoted – from the first photograph to the conversations that follow a viewing.

My connection with property

My involvement with property goes back to 1990, when I passed the Estate Agents Board examination under the regulatory system that preceded today’s PPRA.

I am currently completing the requirements of the PPRA’s qualification framework while working as a candidate property practitioner at Fine & Country.

That gives me the opportunity to combine my earlier grounding in property with decades of marketing experience and the support of colleagues who know the local market.

Why I created Rare Erf

I’ve seen friends and family sell property without fully exploring what they had, how best to present it or which decisions deserved more thought.

Sometimes they were in a hurry. Sometimes they spent money on the wrong things. Sometimes the qualities that made their property special never came across to buyers.

Rare Erf grew out of a simple belief: owners should have a clear plan before their property goes to market.

That means asking questions early, examining assumptions and deciding where preparation could make a worthwhile difference. It also means recognising when to bring in a conveyancer, tax adviser, architect or another specialist.

I want sellers to feel informed and prepared when the first offer arrives.

Looking beyond the obvious

Every property has a set of facts: erf size, accommodation, condition and location. Understanding its appeal takes a closer look.

An older house may occupy an unusually private plot. A sheltered garden may make outdoor living possible on windy days. A home’s orientation may bring warmth and light that photographs alone fail to explain.

These details deserve attention because they can shape how a buyer feels about living there.

The same applies beyond the gate. Rare Erf’s blog explores both property ownership and the coast, countryside and community around us. Helping people appreciate the setting is part of helping them appreciate the home.

Why I work with Fine & Country

Fine & Country Hermanus’ emphasis on the lifestyle and character of a property fits my approach to marketing.

It gives me a platform to tell each home’s story, supported by local property knowledge, an international network and access to professional partners.

For my clients, that brings personal attention together with the resources of an established estate agency.

Rare Erf is where I share advice and local insight. My estate agency work takes place through Fine & Country.

What you can expect from me

Advice with a reason behind it.
 I’ll explain my recommendations so you can weigh your options and make decisions with confidence.

Preparation with a purpose. 
We’ll consider which repairs, improvements and presentation choices are likely to help – and where spending more may achieve little.

Marketing shaped around your property.
 I’ll look closely at what makes it desirable and how to communicate that to the buyers most likely to appreciate it.

A steady head when decisions matter.
 Selling can involve competing priorities, uncertainty and strong emotions. I’ll help you assess offers and trade-offs with your goals in view.

Let’s talk before you sell

You don’t need a moving date to start a useful conversation.

Whether you’re preparing to sell now or considering your options for a few years’ time, I’d be glad to hear about your property and what you have in mind.

My areas of focus include Hermanus, Onrus, Vermont, Sandbaai, Hemel-en-Aarde, and Arabella.

Get in touch for a free initial conversation, without obligation. Or, if you spot me on the cliff path, stop me for a chat.