Situated in the heart of the exclusive Parks area in Johannesburg North, two of Johannesburg’s oldest suburbs are attracting a growing number of young families and young professionals who are drawn by their convenient location and the fact that they have retained more than a hint of their original laid-back charm and character.
This property in Craighall, Randburg, has four bedrooms and open-plan entertainment areas. It is selling for R8.79 million - click here to view.This is according to Kass Bunkell and Emma Morris, area specialists for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, who say recent research by Lightstone Property Solutions has revealed that Craighall and Craighall Park have both experienced a massive influx of young homeowners in recent years, with reports showing that 45% of all new buyers are now under the age of 35.
Bunkell and Morris say this spike in demand contributed significantly to the strong market recovery after the 2008 crash, driving up prices and rewarding savvy investors with a substantial return on investment.
Bunkell says investors who were in a position to take advantage of the market slump are now realising an excellent return on their investment.
Citing figures from the Deeds Office, she says the economic downturn caused prices to plummet, with average house prices in Craighall dropping by around 31% from R2.82 million in 2007 to R1.93 million in 2009. In Craighall Park the median price decreased by almost 40% from R3.83 million to R2.35 million during the same period.
“However, by 2014 the market had bounced back to a new high with average house prices in Craighall and Craighall Park reaching R4.2 million and R4.15 million respectively, which amounts to a hefty profit for savvy investors who were able to buy during the slump,” says Bunkell.
Morris says prices have also been driven by the increasingly limited availability of stock, exacerbated by a low turnover of property, particularly freehold homes in the low- to mid-market segments.
This five bedroom house in Craighall offers a covered patio and landscaped garden. It is on the market for R5.5 million - click here to view.“Residents love the green, leafy Craighalls for the family-friendly atmosphere, sense of community, large established gardens and peaceful tree-lined streets, and we find that once people have moved into the area, they are reluctant to move away and tend to hang on to their homes for longer than in other areas.”
Morris says this trend also applies to the rental market.
“While the sectional title rental market is active and we are seeing more investor buying, those who buy houses in the area usually do so to live in them and not to rent out.”
Bunkell says the entry-level price for houses in both areas is now between R3 million and R4 million, depending on the size of the stand and size and condition of the home.
“In that price bracket you can still get a good family home on a sizeable erf, but it would be in need of modernising, and sometimes more than just a little TLC,” he says.
“At the top end of the market, R8 million to R9 million will buy a modern, fully-renovated house with all the bells and whistles set on stands of between 1 500sqm and 3 700sqm.”
Bunkell says compared to some of their more exclusive neighbours, the Craighalls still offer good value for money, with expansive, renovated modern four and five bedroom homes with established gardens selling for between R5 million to R5.5 million, which is considerably less than the same property would cost in Sandhurst or Morningside.
This three bedroom townhouse in Craighall Park has a covered patio. It is priced at R2.7 million - click here to view.“Although development has been gradual and there are still relatively few sectional title and cluster properties, they generally offer accessible prices which start at around R1.2 million for a one bedroom flat and R1.6 million for a modern two bedroom. Buyers have a range of property choices in all price brackets, all the way to the top end,” says Morris.
Investors seeking the convenience and security of a lock-up and go lifestyle without forfeiting luxury and comfort can now buy upmarket designer apartments in exclusive new upmarket developments for upwards of R8 million.
Lew Geffen, chairman of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, says the dynamic rental market and strong demand for sectional title and cluster homes in the Craigs will continue to thrive for the foreseeable future, offering investors solid returns on investment in the short and long term.
Geffen says one of the main factors driving both the sales and rental markets is the lifestyle that residents in the Craighalls enjoy.
“Not only do people regularly take to the peaceful tree-lined streets to jog or walk their dogs, but outdoor enthusiasts and families also have access to adjacent Delta Park offering 104ha of lush recreational park land with biking and walking trails, a wild bird sanctuary and numerous scenic picnic spots.”
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