073 711 4111
I've been very fortunate that you have been so accommodating with me and I must thank you so sincerely for your time and your effort. You have truly been exemplary and an excellent and very professional agent. You really are amazing... Thanks again for all your help and kindness. Sincerely, W.
Satisfied buyer
After having had our house in Hout Bay on the market for many months, with a constant stream of potential buyers, and not a single offer we agreed to give Lara Kaplan of Sotheby's Real Estate, a sole mandate for a period of 3 months. Although hers was not a name we had seen in the area, her 'sales pitch' was very impressive so we decided to take a chance. Lara did a valuation of the property and met with my husband and I to explain how she had arrived at this valuation. Her research was thorough and accurate and it was clear that she understood her market. She walked around the property with us and explained exactly how she wanted the property presented for the photographer and then for any prospective buyers. This involved a fair deal of tidying and reorganising on our part, but she assured us it would pay off. She also told us that she would not be bringing dozens of viewers as part of the service she offered was to carefully pre-screen potential buyers so as not to unnecessarily intrude on our privacy.
Exactly 24 hours after she had posted the photographs of our house online, Lara brought her first buyer to view the house and that same day presented us with a written offer for our full asking price. Unfortunately for us, the interested buyer did not qualify for a mortgage loan as they had not fully disclosed their debts in their original application. Lara was not deterred and within a few days of this huge disappointment she brought two more interested parties and presented us with a second written offer to purchase. We did not accept this offer as the buyer's price and terms were not acceptable to us.
Less than a month later Lara brought her fourth potential buyer to our house and presented us with a written offer to purchase at full asking price. The buyer's mortgage loan was approved and the sale went through seamlessly. Dealing with Lara was a thoroughly positive experience. Her professionalism and competence were immediately apparent and she did not falter. She was respectful of our time and privacy without having to be asked and her personable manner and high levels of motivation, served to inspire confidence not only in us as the sellers, but in the buyers too. I cannot recommend Lara highly enough and would not hesitate to use her again should the need arise.
Myra Miller
She sold my property at good price in under two months over the December 2019/January 2020 holiday season when the market was already taking strain. She is a committed and determined agent who is meticulous in communication and follow-up at all times. In this way she imbues the hard-earned confidence in her clients she has gained through 17 years of experience in the industry.
Where Lara has shown her real mettle, and consummate professionalism, is how she has handled the Covid fall-out which has presented real challenges and disappointments for buyers, sellers, transferring attorneys and especially agents. The buyer of my unit will be moving into an apartment tomorrow which was vacated on 14th December 2019. I have been concerned about the state she would find it in but unable to arrange for a cleaning service. Lara, on her own and of her own accord, went in to do a surface clean which went way beyond the call of duty. Maybe this explains why she has also been able to successfully complete 124 marathons! She has a gift of perseverance and will stay the distance. It is without reserve that I highly recommend Lara to any future clients.
Freda Van Der Merwe
Lara, thank you very much for your effort in selling my house at Sunset Links. Your approach was a breath of fresh air after the house had been on the market for 4 months with no response. Your selling it within a week was fantastic. I have and will in future definitely recommend you to my friends who consider selling. You are great!
Successful seller
I recently had the great pleasure of working with Lara Kaplan. On first contact with Lara, she instilled a great deal of confidence in me. I could never have expected a more satisfactory outcome and can say with absolute certainty that I will make use of Lara's service in future.
Successful seller
Your service was not only professional, but also highly personal and enthusiastic and it is clear that you care sincerely when dealing with clients. The service was of a level unheard of before and of a nature that would be difficult to match. I would not hesitate to recommend your services. In the event of me purchasing or selling property in future you would most definitely be at the top of my list to contact.
Successful seller
We want to congratulate you on the way you handled the sale and all the other matters. We were very lucky to meet you, thank you for the professional way you handled everything and we will certainly recommend you.
Successful seller
You always give 101% of yourself to every client whether buyer or seller. I want to thank you for explaining the South African legal system which being a UK citizen could have been a minefield without all your professional advice. The fact that I am six thousand miles away and the sale was in such capable hands was reassuring. I know that if I ever want to sell in the future, there IS ONLY ONE AGENT I WILL USE, as I could not think of anyone else who is professional, enthusiastic and dedicated to their clients. You put the UK estate agents to shame.
Successful seller
I'd just like to share with you that you are EXCEPTIONALLY good at what you do. I have never had an estate agent who has provided prospective buyers with the level of information and insight you have, and the transparency. I can see why you are successful in what you do. Thank you for your professionalism and for respecting both your sellers and potential buyers.
L Hulett – September 2020
We were fortunate to be introduced to Lara at the end of 2014, having tried for the previous 5 years to sell our plot in Hout Bay. We had previously asked various agents in Hout Bay to sell the plot, which in our view was a bargain given the stunning views and high cost of vacant land generally in Hout Bay. We found the majority of agents disinterested, due to either the area or return on effort for a plot. Lara however, in spite of not being a Hout Bay specialist, readily identified the saleability of our plot, was highly engaged and professional, kept us constantly informed on developments, and sold the plot within 4 months. She backed up her positions on pricing with extensive data, advertised widely, and agreed to a short exclusive mandate which we had no hesitation renewing in the light of her clear investment in making the sale. We have no hesitation in recommending her services to others.
Andrew Boulle & Helen Meintjes
We commend Lara on the excellent approach shown in arranging successfully, the recent sale of our house in Bantry Bay. We have found Lara to be attractively energetic, eager, enthusiastic and exceedingly competent in every respect. We also appreciated Lara's consideration for our comfort and convenience when arranging client viewing visits to our property and the punctuality in doing so. Lara has our profound thanks and best wishes for her future endeavours.
Gillian & Jack Alexander, Bantry Bay sellers
On meeting Lara Kaplan who lived in my building where I occupied a holiday home, I was initially taken by the huge amounts of energy this woman exuded. When I put out feelers about selling my flat Lara approached me for a sole mandate saying that after nearly 20 years of selling property she was opening her own business and asked for my support. I never hesitated to give Lara a sole mandate as I trusted her implicitly with the sale of my property when I was out of the country. When you are out of country you are concerned about your property. Lara asked for permission for all access to show buyers and never failed to give me immediate and detailed feedback on all showings, something not all
 agents have done before. After about 6 weeks of excellent marketing she brought me an offer I could not refuse and negotiated the highest price for a unit of my size in the building of all time. Lara continuously updated me on all aspects of the sale, deposit, balance of purchase price, compliance certificates and ensured the property was finally handed over to the buyer on date of transfer in mint condition. I would not hesitate to recommend Lara Kaplan to sell your property. After the sale Lara took care of a plethora of odds and ends (people collecting things I had left behind before I left for overseas again). The trustworthiness of this individual is something to give all sellers peace of mind that their property sale is in outstanding hands.
Marc Mallac-Lagesse – December 2020 (Spain)
From the moment we met, I have been impressed with your professionalism. Your standard of performance is simply outstanding. I found myself thanking and praising you abundantly from beginning till registration. It is two months since transfer registration. You were so sensitive to ensure Buyer/Seller needs were speedily met, you did much to ensure a more complex transfer took exactly one month to register. This week, your after-sales-service hit the jackpot. Made it impossible to do anything less than let other Buyers and Sellers become aware that Topmost handling of sale or purchase of their most precious investment - their home, is only a phone call/WhatsApp to you away. I applaud you, Lara Kaplan, there can be no better an agent than you.
With appreciation for a job well done.
Happy Buyer
Thank you very much, Lara, for the efficiency, speed to deliver and caring. You are tops! I am going to love going into a new home. Am RELIEVED to have a definite future nest that’s my very own. It is beautifully renovated, with views 3 windows and in a best position. WITH APPRECIATION .