WHEN a new member of the Dormehl Phalane Property Group’s ever-growing family promises himself that he will shape his team into one of the company’s five top-performing franchises nationwide, within two years, you know he means business.
And determined to quickly set the ball rolling to score this goal is Durban-born Donovan Loubser, now the manager – and a co-partner with DPG head, Owen Dormehl – of DPG’s Umhlanga branch in Granada Square, Chartwell Drive.
Donovan, who turned 48 on October 31, has been part of the Durban real estate world since 2004, when he opened his first property franchise on the Bluff before expanding to Montclair about a year later, then opening a third branch in Durban North a few years thereafter.
In 2010, he joined a national franchise group, successfully converting and growing his offices before selling the business in 2012. He then shifted to developing and managing franchise offices, where his marketing background and strategic mindset played a key role in branch growth and agent development.
“In 2019, I co-founded a new property group with offices in Umhlanga and Margate, continuing my passion for building successful teams and empowering agents,” he says. “After stepping back as a director, due to personal and health reasons in 2023, I then managed another franchise real estate agency in Umhlanga for a year.”
Donovan joined DPG on September 1 this year, after, he says, lots of elbowing to join the company from good friend Gordon Swensson, Dormehl Phalane Musgrave’s manager, and, of course, convincing persuasion from Owen.
Donovan has been involved in all aspects of real estate – from off-plan sales, to developments, to sales and rentals of residential properties – but views his strength as the residential property market: “I specialise in first-time buyers and taking them on a journey. I have immense knowledge about property and love sharing that knowledge, and empowering people.”
He says he owes his great passion for property to his father, Sydney: “He has always been my inspiration. When I grew up, my dad was always buying and selling property. His wisdom and the knowledge he has taught me… no price can be put on that.”
Donovan, whose wife Yvette runs her own bridging finance business called Advance Bridging, views family as top priority in life. So he takes great comfort in DPG being widely perceived as a big, happy family, imparting on newcomers to the fold an immediate sense of belonging.
Excited about managing the eight-strong-and-growing DPG team in Umhlanga, Donovan says “DPG has a superb reputation and great agent retention, which is uncommon in the industry”.
He rates other strengths of the Dormehl Phalane brand as “technology advances – and Owen always thinking out the box. Also, all DPG offices are deeply rooted in the community they serve, always giving back!”
He gives two thumbs-up to Owen as a leader and a people’s person: “If it can be done, Owen always makes a deal work. He gets in the trenches with agents… and we are all treated the same. He shows commitment to every person in the DPG family, has a clear passion and is a visionary.”
Immediate plans for Donovan include growing his team and creating a bigger market presence in Umhlanga: “I am personally selling and renting as well, as I believe a manager has to lead by example. A concern is the high number of agents around, and we need to showcase our passion to always put our client’s first – before profit!
“I have had the privilege of working in my prior roles with some of the same agents and it is great to grow the team with people who have the same vision.”
Donovan is optimistic about the future of the property industry, but spots hurdles too: “From a slow 2024, the market is seeing a recovery, but a concern is affordability constraints. Even if interest rates are dropping, the cost of living is increasing.
“In my view, the market is not booming wildly, but showing signs of stabilising. It is a market where well-positioned stock sells quickly and overpriced stock remains on the market.
“A key concern is mandate competition and an overpricing pressure that agents face. Agents can feel the pressure to accept unrealistic mandates to secure listings. Another concern is growing costs and competition with online agencies.
This is a people’s business and we need to build relationships beyond just a sale. We always need to adapt to changing markets.”
Born and raised on the Bluff in Durban, Donovan is a former Grosvenor Boys’ High pupil who went on to study Marketing, which he says has been instrumental in his business expansion and brand building.
After his school days ended in 1996, he managed the family pawn business and, on the side, bought and sold properties with his dad. When the business was sold in 2004, he went into the real estate business fulltime.
“Property is in my blood. I view myself as having never worked a day in my life in the property industry, because if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life!”
What makes a good agent? And what are absolute no-nos for an agent?
Donovan replies: “A good agent is self-motivated, a go-getter, not scared of rejection. Someone that stays positive, never gives up, has a routine and is hungry for success.
"An absolute no-no, is expecting business to come to you. You have to go out and get the business. Also, you need to be flexible and fit in with your clients’ times. And always be honest and ethical – our reputation is all we have.”
Away from property matters, Donovan loves spending time with wife Yvette and their children, 16-year-old Ayden and Caitlyn, 12, at their home in Hillcrest.
“They are the reason I do what I do. We also have three furry kids: Yorkies Max, Baxter and Zoey. A home is not a home without a pet.”
Donovan loves to cycle with his son, enjoys holiday adventures with his family, and has a penchant for braaiing, with a cold beer close at hand.
