Hot Topic: Jun/Jul 2026
Twenty years of progress - HouseFinder’s evolution over time 2006-2026
Twenty years of progress - HouseFinder’s evolution over time 2006-2026
The previous owners of HouseFinder Magazine, Ronel and Sybrand de Beer, had acquired Windhoek Showhouse Finder in October 2006 – at the time an eight-page pamphlet published every second week, featuring show houses in Windhoek.
With the support of professional designers and a clear vision for growth, they reimagined both the look and purpose of the publication. In due course, the pamphlet was transformed into HouseFinder Magazine, evolving into a sophisticated property and lifestyle publication offering broader, relevant content tailored to homeowners and property buyers alike.
Within just two months, the publication expanded into a 32-page magazine, marking the beginning of a period of rapid growth. Page numbers increased steadily as estate agents embraced the platform to advertise properties, retail brands joined as advertisers and new editorial sections introduced lifestyle articles and homeowner-focused content.
HouseFinder quickly established itself as a trusted and professional property publication in Windhoek, reflecting the growth and maturity of Namibia’s real estate market at the time.
Following a deeply personal tragedy in 2017, when their eldest daughter passed away at the age of 11, Ronel and Sybrand made the difficult decision to sell the business and step away from the publication they had helped shape and grow.
Says Ronel de Beer: “It was never just a magazine to us – it was a journey of growth, relationships and community. We are grateful to have played a part in building something that connected people with homes and with one another. Being part of its transformation remains one of the chapters we look back on with deep pride and gratitude”.
De Beer family 2026
Ronel & Sybrand with their two daughters
Their contribution laid an important foundation in the evolution of HouseFinder Magazine, helping transform it from a simple listings pamphlet into a recognised and respected property magazine – a legacy that continues as the publication celebrates 20 years.
HouseFinder was taken over by Gerty Basson in 2019, after which it underwent notable changes from those early editions to its latest in 2026. There are clear shifts in content focus, design, audience engagement and business strategy. These changes reflect the magazine’s adaptation to digital trends and its growing influence in Namibia’s real estate sector.
During 2016 under Ronel’s leadership, the content was centred on property listings (homes for sale/rent) supplied by leading real estate agents and the magazine positioned itself as a practical home-and-garden publication that featured properties and articles.
Recent editions have a much richer editorial mix. While property listings remain a core component, the publication now delivers 100% Namibian content spanning home improvement, décor trends, gardening, crafts, legal and financial insights, as well as interior and renovating articles.
Additional regular sections have been introduced for niche topics – reflecting a shift toward a comprehensive home and lifestyle magazine. Each issue also adopts a unifying theme revolving around international interior design trends (e.g. Embracing Curves or Inspiration from Nature and Art) that ties together feature articles and the Editor’s Letter.
EVOLUTION OF DESIGN AND LAYOUT
HouseFinder has always aimed for a high-quality coffee-table look, but the mid-2010s editions were relatively traditional in design. The magazine was printed in standard letter size on quality paper, with a classic layout showcasing property ads and a few article sections. It was known as “Namibia’s own property and home magazine,” and even in 2016 it was considered one of Namibia’s top-quality publications in the real estate niche.
During June 2024, the publication underwent a visual refresh to keep it contemporary and visually engaging. A new logo and branding were introduced. The layout now integrates more lifestyle imagery, elegant typography and thematic visuals that enhance its elegant look.
READERSHIP ENGAGEMENT AND AUDIENCE INTERACTION
Initially, reader interaction with HouseFinder was largely offline. The magazine was picked up for free at various outlets, and engagement was measured by its circulation and readers’ reliance on it for property hunting. By 2016, there was an established audience of home buyers, sellers and owners, but interaction was mainly one-way (from magazine to reader). Online presence existed (via an early website and Issuu flipbooks), but social media was not yet a major focus.
Today, HouseFinder actively cultivates reader engagement through digital channels and interactive content. The experience of the past 5 years showed the publishers that readers have become captivated by the regular articles.
The magazine’s website and social media now play a big role in audience interaction. The Facebook page has over 23,000 followers (and growing) where posts from the magazine such as new property listings and article highlights receive comments and shares.
The publishers also distribute the digital flipbook via WhatsApp, the website and email newsletters, making it easy for readers to access and respond.
After 2024, the pushing of Google ads have also contributed to increasing reader activity on the website – evidenced by a jump from 16,000 to 80,000+ monthly website clicks on property searches.
In summary, engagement has shifted from passive consumption of a print magazine to an interactive, community-oriented experience across multiple platforms.
BUSINESS MODEL AND ADVERTISING APPROACH
The business model before 2019 was heavily based on print advertising revenue. The magazine was (and remains) free to readers, with real estate agents, property developers, banks and corporate companies paying for ad placements and listings. This meant that the bulk of content – property listings and advertorials – was sponsored by clients. The magazine’s revenue came from these ad pages and partnerships with estate agencies showcasing their listings.
The business model has since expanded to leverage both print and digital opportunities. Advertising still underpins the magazine – it continues to offer exposure to “the best estate agents in the country” and home-related businesses and financial institutions.
The new domain, property.housefindernam.com, allows agents to list properties via a very affordable payable option on the website through:
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partnerships with companies who design websites for realtors, like PropData and Entegral. Properties pull into the website via an API.
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clients who use HouseFinder’s new APP where realtors can upload properties directly onto property.housefindernam.com via their cell phones.
Thus the magazine is currently a hybrid model that includes print ads, digital ads and sponsored editorial content, ensuring diverse revenue streams.
During 2025 two yearly Special PIPF HouseFinder Editions were added to the range of magazines, spearheaded by Mark Cioccolanti from Preferred Investment Property Fund, with a large focus on Osona Village and developments in Otavi and Omuthiya. Both these special editions are distributed in print and are also available online at housefindernam.com
TRANSITION FROM PRINT TO DIGITAL PLATFORMS
Initially, the digital side was limited to PDF or flipbook versions on Issuu and a basic website. Notably, the De Beers launched the first website back in 2007 and by the mid-2010s they had begun experimenting with online tools. The late 2010s thus marked a turning point when HouseFinder truly embraced digital media.
In 2014 the Property Finder web tool was introduced to enable users to search listings such as price and location, indicating recognition of the importance of online search.
A completely new website was launched by Gerty Basson on 1 September 2019 with a sophisticated property search interface.
This relaunch significantly boosted online engagement (monthly site traffic doubled immediately). Since then, every issue of the magazine is also available as a digital flipbook on the website and is also distributed via WhatsApp for convenient access.
The integration between print and digital is now seamless: print readers are guided online via QR codes for extended content.
Whilst print remains a core part of the magazine’s identity, web readers can easily find articles by category or search for properties in real time on www.housefindernam.com. This transition to more digital content was accelerated by recognizing that “the time is ripe to focus more on digital” while maintaining that “print will never die”
IMPACT ON THE NAMIBIAN REAL ESTATE SECTOR
The evolution of this magazine has had a significant impact on the real estate sector in Namibia. As one of the leading property publications in the country, it has become a central hub where property buyers, sellers and industry professionals converge.
By featuring a wide selection of properties for sale and rent from top agencies, the magazine (and its website, Facebook page and Facebook Group) serves as a one-stop marketplace for real estate.This was true in 2016 and is even more true now with the online searches on property.housefindernan.com: it aggregates listings nationwide, making house-hunting more efficient for the public. Real estate agents benefit from this centralized exposure, as it is a focused advertising medium that directly reaches motivated buyers.
Through its in-depth articles and expert columns, HouseFinder educates the market. Topics like legal matters and property laws, market reviews, home maintenance articles and design trends keep readers informed. Such content helps readers make better-informed real estate decisions.
The expanded lifestyle content (gardening, décor and renovations) inspires homeowners to improve their properties, indirectly adding value to the real estate sector. By showcasing beautiful homes and pools and success stories, the magazine has popularized a culture of investing in one’s home and property. This angle has likely spurred more interest in home improvement services, furniture, landscaping and pool renovating, creating a ripple effect in related industries.
The adding of special editions, like the PIPF series, has significantly contributed to the success story of areas like Osona Village – in educating readers on their ongoing projects to alleviate the housing crisis in Namibia.
HouseFinder has surely positioned itself as an industry catalyst. It not only advertises properties but also fosters an ecosystem where agents, financiers and service providers interact.
According to Gerty Basson, the magazine’s evolution toward engaging content and online interactivity could not have been possible without a great team:
“The Lord gives us strength, courage and wisdom in business decisions and I therefore first and foremost thank my Heavenly Father for his assistance and guidance. I am so thankful for a great team: Christian Botha as web and app developer, Christine Stoman as writer and language editor, Aléza Mays for sales and digital content, Henriette van Zyl and Marianka Jacobs as graphic designers, Janay Swartz on accounts, Lindie Loock as DIY columnist and Maret Malan and Bushy van Rooi on deliveries. AND THEN a BIG THANK you to all our clients, some who have been advertising with HouseFinder for more than 15 years. Simply amazing! Without you AND OUR EVER-SO-LOYAL READERS AND FOLLOWERS none of our successes would be possible. Cheers to you all on 20 years!” – Gerty Basson
For more information and to advertise on any of our portals (website, Facebook, Facebook Group or by utilizing our app to upload properties to property.housefindernam.com), kindly contact Aleza : aleza@housefindernam.com or gerty@housefindernam.com.
