It's just a few months away: the Big Event, during which schools will be closed for a month, an estimated one million soccer fans from around the globe will be disembarking and we, the locals, have the choice of either taking part or going somewhere else for a month. Actually, going somewhere else might not be such a bad idea, if there's a sizeable chunk of money to be made out of your departure.
At the tail end of the recession, we could all do with a financial boost, and the soccer seems like a golden opportunity that's too good to miss. I think if you're fair towards the tourists, and realistic about your expectations without being consumed by greed, you stand to gain enormously. There's still time to make arrangements, if you act now.
v Rent your house out: Thus far Match, the FIFA agency tasked with finding around 55000 accommodation units for the games, hasn't really managed to do so. Looks to me like massive greed is the obstacle, as the organisation is playing hardball with the big guns around the issue of short-term rental contracts... they've also included an escape clause that doesn't exactly make the arrangement favourable for landlords. If you're a private homeowner, your chances of negotiating a fair deal with a middleman seem poor, at this late stage. Many small, keen agencies have sprung up, but they're not at all experienced. Your best bet at this 11th hour would be to go it alone, and advertise your property, if you have a suitable one, on the Internet.
- Isn't that really risky? Nobody wants to accommodate a frothing soccer hooligan who has been banned in 14 other countries. Use your personal judgement and trust your instincts - if the lessee can't write his own name, word an articulate email, indicate a willingness to pay upfront in full, agree to a decent deposit refundable on departure, and provide clarity on a travel itinerary, I would look for someone else. It might also be wise to have a trusted friend check up on your house occasionally, while you're not there, and store away your sentimental, precious things. Go through the house with your lessee and have them sign an inventory, before you hand over the keys.
- What constitutes a suitable property? What are these guys going to be looking for when they arrive? Be as honest as possible while you're negotiating with them. Yes, carefully worded ads can obscure the truth... "Compact penthouse close to the city's vibrant hustle and bustle" could be a euphemism for your top floor bachelor flat - the one looking out onto the local taxi rank. But the truth will emerge eventually, and it's only going to reflect badly on you, and South Africa, more broadly speaking. If the place you want to rent out looks a bit run-down and grotty, you still have a few months to fix it up, work on the garden, paint the place and fix the leaking taps. Security is a big concern, too - we've all read the media report about the ludicrous "anti-stabbing jacket" that's being marketed overseas to soccer tourists. For many of them, it's The Dark Continent, where lions roam the streets. Make sure your house is secure, and without scare tactics, provide basic know-how on how to survive.
- How much should I charge? It depends where your property is situated, and what amenities you can offer. A Top-Billing type house in Llandudno, with indoor pool, chauffeur and chef is being marketed for R30 000 a day. More realistically, and pertinent to us mere mortals, are well-maintained, superbly equipped suburban houses and apartments. A recent consumer magazine article highlighted the need for this kind of accommodation and suggested that for a good 3-bedroomed house with a garden, pool, access to main transport routes, a daily domestic service as part of the deal, and possibly DSTV, landlords could demand in the region of between R3000 and R5000 per day. Well-equipped flats in good areas would fall somewhere on the lower end of this spectrum.
v If I don't have a suitable property, how else could I make money? We're African, and there's no limit to our entrepreneurial spirit! If you can think of a way to make someone else's African adventure more pleasant, do it. They're going to need tour guides, interpreters, food and entertainment. You could make yourself available to cater, ferry people around, operate a hotdog stand, and deliver Prego rolls. Commemorative T-Shirts with catchy slogans is another idea. Unique African arts and crafts will be good sellers, too. The sky's the limit, really!
Any bright ideas on coining it during the World Cup? If it's not a big secret, share it with us.