Cape Town isn’t just the Best City in the World (shoutout to Time Out Magazine), it’s also home to the Tyson Properties’s Best Rental Office in South Africa. This powerhouse team has officially taken the top spot, proving that nobody does rentals quite like Cape Town’s finest. But did they see it coming? Not exactly.
Stephen Adamo, Double Diamond agent and rental manager at Tyson Properties Southern Suburbs, said that since their team is still early in their journey, he didn’t expect it.
Rentals might seem like the laid-back cousin of sales, but don’t be fooled – this industry is tough as nails. Unlike sales, where you close a deal and pop the champagne, rentals are a never-ending cycle of listings, lease agreements, maintenance calls at midnight, and tenants who swear they ‘just missed’ their rental deadline. Plus, in Cape Town’s fast-moving market, the competition is fierce, and every property needs to be snatched up before another eager renter beats you to it.
It’s high-speed, high-pressure, and high-stakes. Only the best can keep up, and luckily, that’s exactly who they are.
So let’s be real, this wasn’t luck. This was hard work, strategy, and a whole lot of hustle. And this isn’t a one-person job, it takes a whole team to work like a well-oiled machine to achieve what these guys have. Hard work will always prevail.
“When you hear everyone cold calling, the bell ringing and everyone closing deals, it makes a big difference compared to when you’re working from home,” said Ursula Denton, rental area specialist for Southern Suburbs.
And they’re not planning on stopping anytime soon. 2025 is the year of even more. This rental team is ready to take Cape Town by storm. “It is just upwards and onwards from here,” Stephen said.
Cape Town’s rental market is one of the most competitive in the country, but this team stands out for one simple reason: they’re like family. Jason explained that the office culture is simply unmatched and they can truly depend on one another. “We are more than just colleagues, we are also friends,” Jason Thomas, rental area specialist for Southern Suburbs.
In a competitive rental market, it takes more than just good listings to stand out. This team’s secret? They don’t just do rentals – they build relationships. Their clients aren’t just numbers in a database, they’re people with unique needs, and that’s what makes the difference.
It’s no secret that good rentals in Cape Town move faster than the sunset at Signal Hill. But how does one have a striving career with a balanced personal life?
Jason attests that, “Real estate is a career, but it’s also a lifestyle.”
So don’t be surprised if you see them constantly on their phone even when they’re not at the office, and definitely on weekends. Balance is key. And to some that might seem too much, because how can your career be your lifestyle? Two words – pure passion!
The thrill of matching people with homes, and the satisfaction of making deals happen. You don’t just work in real estate, you live it. And for them? That’s exactly where they thrive.
“I say often that you get salesmen and you get people who are in sales, and you can clearly tell which one of the two loves what they do, where the other simply sees every deal as a means to an end,” Stephen explained.
If you love what you do, it’s easy to find a balance. “I enjoy coming into the office because you get high energy from the people around you,” said Ursula.
But to keep the passion going, you need to keep the mind at peace. “This year, a big focus for our team is mental health,” emphasised Stephen.
You can love real estate, thrive in the chaos, and still hit a wall if you’re not careful. Passion fuels the hustle, but without rest, even the most driven agents can burn out. Long hours, high-pressure deals, and always being “on” can take a toll, no matter how much coffee you drink. That’s why balance isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a survival strategy. Because the best agents aren’t the ones who work 24/7, they’re the ones who know when to hit pause so they can come back stronger.
And 2025’s property shortage isn’t making a balanced lifestyle any easier, but nevertheless, it should not be ignored. Every agent must find a rhythm that works for them and allows them thrive, even in chaos
In 2024, we saw an increase in tenants continuing their lease because of the lack of properties available. With the shortage of rentals increasing in Cape Town, that means stock is low and demand is high. So for rental agents in Cape Town, it can be a difficult task and discouraging at times.
Stephen said that in their weekly rental meetings, they discuss any issues they might have experienced so that if any agent does come across a similar instance, they’ll know the best course of action.
If you think real estate is just about properties, think again – it’s 100% about people. And people? Well, they come in every personality, mood, and negotiation style imaginable. One minute, you’re reassuring a first-time tenant nervous about their lease, the next, you’re managing a landlord who wants to charge the highest rate in a tough market. Some clients want all the details, some just want the keys.
Adaptability is the name of the game, and that’s why they bring their A-game to every deal. No matter who they’re working with, exceptional service isn’t optional, it’s standard. Because in a business built on relationships, the way you treat people is just as important as the deals you close. “People remember the service you gave them,” said Jason Thomas.
Being a rental agent in Cape Town means you see it all. From tenants trying to sneak in ‘just one’ extra pet (which turns out to be five) to landlords who think their outdated kitchen is a selling point, nothing will surprise this team anymore.
Finding the right tenant for the right property is basically matchmaking, without the awkward first dates. Rentals move at lightning speed, and staying ahead means being quick, adaptable, and sometimes even a little psychic.
Strong communication, solid systems, and a deep understanding of market trends keep them at the top of their game.
Tenants can fall through and be relentless, landlords can be stubborn and ruthless, so keeping a smile and a friendly tone can be challenging at times. It’s important to build a good relationship with both a tenant and a landlord. Because once a tenant moves out in 12 months, they’ll need a new rental, and a landlord might lose a tenant and require you to get a new one.
No matter how great your service, not every potential client will end up choosing you. Sometimes, it’s just about the right timing, the right fit, or even the right vibe. But that doesn’t stop us from giving our best every time, we know that the right clients are out there, and they’ll appreciate what we bring to the table.
Ursula once had a client reach out for help renting out their property. She gave them expert advice, set everything up, and was ready to start photography for the listing. But when she followed up to confirm if they were ready to move forward, the client dropped a surprise – they had decided to go ahead without an agency. Just like that, all the prep work and planning hit a dead end. A classic case of “thanks, but no thanks.”
It’s important to communicate with a client and get everything out in the open so that everyone can be on the same page. Renting out a property can feel like a full-time job, but partnering with a real estate agency takes the load off your shoulders.
“We deal with people every day and we have the qualifications to assist you,” states Jason.
With the right tools and expertise, agents handle essential tasks like thorough background checks on potential tenants, something every landlord should take seriously. It’s all about reducing the heavy lifting for you.
There are many different ways in which an agent can offer their services to a landlord. By working with a rental agent, they will be able to guide you towards finding the best results for your unique situation.
Stephen often says, “Every slice of bread, makes a loaf,” and it’s a phrase that perfectly sums up the essence of what they do. Success in real estate doesn’t happen with one big deal, it’s built on every small, yet significant, step. Every rental, every background check, every lease signed adds up to something far greater than we often give credit for. It’s these smaller victories that shape the path to become a standout agent.
The truth is, real estate isn’t glamorous. It’s not about flashy deals and quick wins, it’s about relentless hard work, mental fortitude, and the kind of dedication that gets you through the grind. “It’s not a 9-to-5 job, it’s a full-time lifestyle,” Stephen continued.
And that lifestyle means always being ready to put in the hours, manage the pressure, and keep pushing forward. Whether you’re securing a tenant, managing a difficult situation, or simply staying on top of endless paperwork, it all counts toward building something lasting.
Ultimately, it’s these smaller efforts, the uncelebrated moments, that distinguish the agents who rise to the top. “One of the reasons why I continue to stick with Tyson is because of the amount of growth that there is within the company,” Stephen adds, and that rings true for all of us.
Growth doesn’t just come from landing big deals, it’s about continuously improving, facing new challenges, and showing up every day with the same drive and passion. That’s how you become not just a good agent, but a great one. And it’s this mindset that keeps us leading the way in a competitive market.
This article was proudly sponsored by Abrahams & Gross Attorneys.
