Sectional title homes priced between R750 000 and R1.5 million are attracting buyers from all walks of life to Sandton’s Douglasdale, a suburb north of Johannesburg and easily accessible from the N1 via William Nicol off-ramp.
Well positioned between Fourways and Bryanston, this Sandton suburb is conveniently located close to major highways, main roads, a number of good public and private schools, shopping centres, places of entertainment, security and three parks, namely Kingfisher Park, Robyn Park and Green Park.
“As Douglasdale sectional title units are accessibly priced, they attract buyers from first-timers to those downscaling,” say Pam Golding Properties Douglasdale area specialists Debbie Staples and Rowan Anderson.
They explain that buyers take into consideration factors such as proximity to places of employment - many residents work in Douglasdale, Fourways, Sandton and Pretoria, and want ease of access getting in and out of the suburb. Buyers include first-time buyers, young professionals, mostly in the financial services sector, business people, buy-to-let investors, young couples and families and those scaling down.
One bedroom, one bathroom units are well priced from R700 000 to R900 000 dependent on features, two bedroom, one bathroom units are priced between R800 000 and R1.25 million, two bedroom, two bathroom (sometimes freestanding units within a complex) are priced between R1.1 million and up to R1.6 million. Three bedroom, two bathroom units start from R1.2 million and can range up to R2 million, say the agents.
“We see a lot of activity for properties priced within the R1.2 million range for two bedroom, one bathroom units as they offer value for money in an established, conveniently positioned suburb.”
Data from Lightstone show that the median price of a sectional title property in Douglasdale for 2018 to date is R945 000, with prices having grown by 1.1%-plus over the past five years, compared to 29.5%-plus over a 10-year period.
“Although prices have not grown much in the past five years, we have seen growth in terms of sales achieved, showing that the suburb offers sound value for money, especially for first-time buyers and buy-to-let investors,” say Staples and Anderson.
Staples and Anderson say demand also tends to peak during September and October as university students coming from outside Johannesburg look for units to rent or parents buy units for their university/college children, while those embarking on a new job and wanting to buy their first homes find Douglasdale affordable.
The agents point out that what makes the suburb unique is that at least 60% of people own the properties they live in, with 40% comprising buy-to-let investors.
“Homeowners who sell their sectional title units do so in order to buy freehold homes either in Douglasdale, Fourways and elsewhere in Sandton.”
Sandra Gordon, Pam Golding Properties senior research and market analyst, says Lightstone data shows that only 30% of current homeowners have owned their properties for 11 or more years. She says this could suggest that this suburb is used as an initial rung on the property ladder.
Furthermore, Gordon says the vast majority of recent buyers were under the age of 50 years, with almost half being young adults, 35 years or younger, suggesting that these buyers are young professionals and first-time buyers.
Living in Douglasdale
Originally established on a dairy farm, Douglasdale is a charming suburb with a strong sense of community for its residents.
Douglasdale is home to the Douglasdale Retirement Village and Norscot Koppie, a serene 22ha reserve with walking trails and birdlife, providing residents with space to enjoy the country feel without leaving their suburb. Netcare Olivedale Hospital and Fourways Life Hospital are located within driving distance.
For those with children, there are schools in and around the suburb, including Curro Castle Douglasdale, Douglasdale Nursery School and The King’s College and Preparatory School, as well as Bryandale Primary School, Crawford Schools, Dainfern College and Fourways High School located nearby.
Douglasdale Village is a convenient shopping centre located within the area, with other shopping centres including The Buzz, Fourways Mall and Cedar Square, as well as the Montecasino precinct, a one-stop location for dining and entertainment.
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