Cookie Policy

1. How We Use Cookies

FirstCape Estate Management uses cookies to:

• Keep our website secure and functional
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you navigate our site
• Improve our services and user experience
• Measure the effectiveness of our marketing

2. Types of Cookies We Use

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration	Can Be Disabled?
Essential	Required for website to function properly	Session	❌ No
Analytics	Help us understand website usage	26 months	✅ Yes
Preference	Remember your settings and choices	1 year	✅ Yes

2.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off:

• Session cookies: Keep you logged in and secure your session
• Security cookies: Detect suspicious activity and prevent attacks
• Load balancing: Distribute traffic evenly across servers

2.2 Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site:

• _ga: Distinguishes unique users (2 years)
• _gid: Distinguishes unique users (24 hours)
• _gat: Throttles request rate (1 minute)

What we track:

• Pages visited and time spent
• How you arrived at our site
• Device and browser information
• General location (city/country)
• Property searches and interactions

We do NOT track:

• ❌ Personal identifying information
• ❌ Passwords or payment details
• ❌ Private conversations
• ❌ Exact physical address

2.3 Preference Cookies

These remember your choices:

• Search filters: Property type, location, price range preferences
• Display settings: Grid vs list view, sort order
• Language: Preferred language (if multilingual site)

3. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are set by third-party services we use:

3.1 Google Services

• Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis
• Google Maps: Interactive property location maps
• Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy

3.2 Cloudflare

• Purpose: Security and performance (DDoS protection, CDN)
• Cookies: __cfduid, cf_clearance
• Privacy Policy: Cloudflare Privacy Policy

4. How to Control Cookies

4.1 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser:

Google Chrome:

1. Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies
2. Choose "Block third-party cookies" or "Block all cookies"

Firefox:

1. Settings → Privacy & Security
2. Select "Custom" under Enhanced Tracking Protection

Safari:

1. Preferences → Privacy
2. Check "Block all cookies"

Microsoft Edge:

1. Settings → Cookies and site permissions
2. Manage and delete cookies

4.2 Opt-Out of Google Analytics

Install Google's opt-out browser add-on:

• Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

4.3 Mobile Devices

iOS (iPhone/iPad):

• Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies

Android:

• Chrome app → Settings → Site settings → Cookies

5. Do Not Track (DNT)

Our website respects Do Not Track browser settings:

• If DNT is enabled, we will not load analytics tracking
• Essential cookies will still be used for security
• Enable DNT in your browser privacy settings

6. Cookie Consent

6.1 How We Obtain Consent

When you first visit our website:

• You'll see a cookie notice banner (if implemented)
• You can accept all cookies or customize preferences
• Continuing to use the site implies consent

6.2 Withdrawing Consent

You can withdraw consent at any time by:

• Deleting cookies through your browser
• Adjusting cookie preferences (if cookie banner available)
• Contacting us to request deletion

7. Cookies and Personal Data

Some cookies may contain personal data:

• Session IDs linked to your user account
• Property search history for personalized recommendations
• Contact form submissions

This data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

8. International Transfers

Some cookies (like Google Analytics) may transfer data internationally:

• Data may be processed in the US or EU
• Third parties comply with GDPR and data protection laws
• Adequate safeguards are in place

9. Cookie Lifespan

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
PHPSESSID	Session management	Session (deleted when browser closes)
_ga	Google Analytics user ID	2 years
_gid	Google Analytics session ID	24 hours
_gat	Google Analytics throttling	1 minute
search_preferences	Property search settings	1 year

10. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 18:

• We do not knowingly collect data from minors
• If we discover we've collected data from a child, we'll delete it
• Parents can contact us to request deletion

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy:

• When we add new cookies or services
• To comply with new regulations
• To improve transparency

Check the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

12. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Know what cookies we use
• Access cookie data we store
• Request deletion of cookie data
• Opt-out of non-essential cookies
• Lodge a complaint with data protection authorities

13. Contact Us About Cookies