Benmore Gardens offers young buyers great value in Sandton

Benmore Gardens is one of the hidden gems of the Sandton area, and is becoming increasingly popular with young executive families.

“Young executive families are recognising that Benmore Gardens has everything they could possibly need, with excellent schools available within a stone’s throw, such as Crawford, Redhill, St David’s and St Stithians,” says Bosman.

This is according to Karen Bosman, area specialist for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, who says Benmore Gardens is an upmarket gated community divided into Extension 3 and the newer, more prestigious Extension 6 - Waterstone Estate.

Original Benmore offers mainly sectional title units with a few gracious homes left on large acreages, although, according to Lighstone, the available market stock in the suburb is more or less evenly split between sectional title homes (32%), freehold (30%) and freehold in estates (38%).

Within the suburb are large open green areas where children’s’ playground equipment has been installed. The Braamfontein Spruit runs through the area, and a duck pond surrounded by park benches creates a tranquil space to contemplate nature.

“This parkland area with many indigenous plants is maintained by local residents, who value the great lifestyle on offer in the suburb,” says Bosman.

Bosman says Benmore was one of the original Sandton farms, and the “more” from Benmore was incorporated into the name of the newly proclaimed Parkmore township, with the “park” borrowed from the neighbouring farm, Hurlpark.

“Sandton is the richest square kilometre in the southern hemisphere, and offers an exceptionally high proportion of prime quality office space,” says Lew Geffen, chairman of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.

“This phenomenal growth is bound to attract ever-growing numbers of employees requiring housing - to buy or rent.”

This French country-style home in Benmore Gardens, Sandton, offers four en suite bedrooms. The home has a pool, and is now on the market for R14.499 million - click here to view.

Lightstone statistics show that 45% of the existing owners in Benmore Gardens have owned their homes for more than 11 years, 25% have owned their homes for less than five years, 10% have been there for five to seven years, and 15% eight to 10 years.

Most recent sellers have owned their homes for five to seven years (35%), 25% have owned their homes for less than five years, 30% for longer than 11 years, and only 10% of owners who have sold have been in the area for eight to 10 years.

Of the existing owners, almost 40% are in the 50 to 64 year age group, 25% are aged 36 to 49, just over 20% are over 65, and 18 to 35 year olds account for about 5%.

Recent buyers in the area, on the other hand, have a very different demographic - 35% percent are in the 18 to 35 age group, and another 35% are aged 36 to 49. Just 15 percent are in the 50 to 64 age group, and around 10% are over 65.

“Young executive families are recognising that Benmore Gardens has everything they could possibly need, with excellent schools available within a stone’s throw, such as Crawford, Redhill, St David’s and St Stithians,” says Bosman.

“Benmore shopping centre is undergoing a complete refurbishment, and is set to expand by several storeys. All major banks, a post office, a pharmacy, leading grocery outlets, boutiques, gift shops and much more can be found here, and for those who would like to shop international brands, Sandton City is just 1km away.”