Never chase money. Believe that if you do what you love, you will do it well, and the money will follow. Never stop learning. Never think you know it all. This advice from Serena De Freitas, a true Durban gal who celebrates 23 years of being in business as the managing director of Harlev Property Management and Harlev Financial Services.
Having lived on the Berea most of her life and operating her business in Musgrave for 20 years, until recently relocating her offices to Durban North, Serena’s focus has always been to keep her business a small to medium size boutique property management and financial services company, centering on personal service and operating as an owner managed company.
“Owning and managing a business is challenging and demands a lot of time and a hundred per cent dedication. I manage with my team of four, all women, who have amazing work ethic and the same passion and drive as myself. We all have to roll with the punches as each day is unpredictable, exhausting and stressful, so naturally we often find humour in the most absurd circumstances!”
Harlev Property Management, manages Body Corporate, Share Block and Homeowners Association schemes, including everything secretarial, administrative and financial – likewise focusing on levy collection – the lifeblood of any scheme.
“We also support and advise trustees with the legislation (which has all changed since October 2016) and assist them with compliance. I personally like to conduct all the annual general meetings on behalf of the chairperson, making sure they run as smoothly as possible as this is a very stressful time for trustees. Harlev Financial Services is a registered financial service provider (FSP) and risk management is an important function to ensure levy funds are safeguarded.”
Serena is a very focused, disciplined, service-orientated (all emails must be replied to!) and determined person. “Dealing with clients in a calm, professional manner and ‘listening more than talking’ goes a long way to understanding people and building relationships. I am always trying to learn more by reading, attending webinars, seminars, conferences etc. After nearly 30 years in this industry, I still can never know enough!”
So where does this energetic 50 something year-old, self-driven businesswoman gain her drive from?
“My father has always been my inspiration and mentor, especially in the early days. He was so brilliant and dedicated to his work … loved what he did and did it well and with passion – until he was 89, when he finally retired! As I took seven long years to do a three-year university degree, chopping and changing subjects until I enjoyed what I was studying, he used to call me a ‘professional student’! To his relief, I eventually graduated, majoring in Industrial Psychology and Constitutional Law. Later, I was privileged to work near him as, although his business and mine were completely separate, we shared office premises in Musgrave for the last two decades up until he retired.
When not working, Serena enjoys reading, spending time with her husband who she has been married to for 25 years, and her daughter. “I’m thrilled my 20-year-old is studying online and still at home with me, so I am making the most of this!” Serena also enjoys watching courtroom dramas and psychological thrillers on Netflix and since the pandemic, she now tries to fit in an annual local holiday, which before she never regarded as important, to give herself a break from work.”
Tips for trustees
Serena offers the following three points of advice from Harlev Property Management for trustees to consider when choosing a managing agent.
- Ask for copies of certificates to prove the agent has a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate with the PPRA (previously EAAB), is registered with the Council for Debt Collectors and is a member of NAMA (National Association of Managing Agents). While all community schemes are required by law to have their own fidelity insurance, it’s also a good idea to check that your managing agent has their own fidelity (and professional indemnity) insurance cover as well.
- Ask for a list of references; Google searches and read the reviews. Trustees are expected to give of their free time, unpaid, making onerous decisions, but liable for breach of their fiduciary duty. They at least need support, guidance, and correct advice from their managing agents.
- Find out WHO your assigned portfolio manager would be (it most likely won’t be the sales/marketing person) and have a one-on-one interview with them. Ask questions and see how knowledgeable they are. Gauge how they deal with pressure, AGMs, difficult people, how long they’ve been with the company etc. Email them and see how long they (or their PA) take to reply to your queries on email. Ask for sample monthly management reports. Ask if your funds will be in its own separate bank account/s and if you will be able to request actual bank statements at any time.
Details: 63 Chelsea Drive, Durban North, 4051
Tel: 031 201 1040 Email: [email protected] www.harlev.co.za
