Anita Dames: The grande dame of property deals

At the recent Bank Windhoek Annual Estate Agent Awards ceremony, Rightmove Properties was recognised for its hard work and contribution to the industry. The team won eight prizes in total, with the top two going Anita Dames (first runner-up Residential Estate Agent of the Year) and Rightmove Properties (first runner-up Residential Estate Agency of the Year – Windhoek).

Passion and commitment to client satisfaction are the cornerstones of Rightmove’s success. This success is reflected by the gratitude of customers and the many estate agent awards won over the last 11 years.

The agency focuses mainly on residential property sales and rentals in Windhoek and its surrounding estates like Elisenheim. Though they are recognised as residential experts, their market share in the commercial and industrial market is also growing.

This team grew from strength to strength - from three agents in 2011 to the current 10 team members. They boast extensive experience and knowledge built up over more than two decades. Long-standing close relationships with industry role players, such as conveyancers, local commercial banks and the City of Windhoek, ensure that clients are able to effortlessly buy and sell properties.

About Dames

Dames went to Windhoek High School and thereafter completed a diploma in pre-school education at the Windhoek Onderwys College. She started a pre-school in Pretoria, but subsequently sold it when she got the opportunity to do au pair work in San Francisco, America. Upon her return, she continued to work in Pretoria as a deputy manager for Milady’s, but then decided to return to Namibia, where she got married and welcomed two children, Stefanie and Wiaan.

The couple were committed entrepreneurs, and owned a video store for many years, later adding Engen Service stations in Okahandja and Windhoek to their portfolio.

“After 13 years in retail, I was eager to take on a new challenge, so we moved back to Windhoek, where I did the Namibia Estate Agents Board property exam, and started this incredible new chapter,” she said.

“I started working at Seeff Properties, but thereafter joined Rightmove Properties, which was founded by Lourette Liebenberg, our principal agent, in 2011, alongside Marion Wolf and myself,” she added.

This was definitely the right move, as this is where the real journey started for her.

Over the years, the team has built up solid credentials for helping clients achieve all their property aspirations. Underscoring this is the fact that Rightmove agents sold over 100 houses in 2021, making it their best year since 2011.

The agency has also won more than 60 awards of excellence since 2011 and was awarded Estate Agency of the Year multiple times.

This dynamic team has become a household name in Windhoek’s property market. When asked what makes them so successful, Dames quickly responds: “Passion, dedication and hard work. Full stop”.

With 10 years of experience in buying/selling various types of properties in the Windhoek area, she is recognised for displaying utmost integrity, professionalism and client-centred service.

Dames has won multiple awards at First National Bank, Bank Windhoek, Nedbank and Standard Bank. The high of her career in property was Estate Agent of the Year award in 2018 with First National Bank, with Rightmove also winning Estate Agency of the Year.

Her recent awards include first runner-up estate award for Bank Windhoek for business up to N$20 Million, while Weder, Kauta & Hoveka recognised her as their second place top agent. Rightmove also took first runner-up in the Estate Agency of the Year Awards.

Eight years ago, she started working on Elisenheim Lifestyle Estate. “I fell in love with the estate mainly because of its safety, affordability and its family orientated nature,” she said.

She sells and rents out houses as well as doing plot and plan transactions. On plot and plan, she has references of houses she’s built for many clients over the years. Plot and plan includes choosing the erf, designing the plan and building the property.

“Each client gives their needs and approval amount and they design everything according to the clients’ needs and desires,” she added.

With over 40 000 Facebook followers, Rightmove Properties is undoubtedly one of the most visible real estate agencies on social media in Windhoek. Each property listing is also uploaded to five reputable Namibian websites, including their own, rightmovepropertieswindhoek.com.

For more information, call Dames on 081 124 666, or email her at [email protected].