Properties in secure wildlife estates are high in demand. Here's why according to specialist brokers across Limpopo.
'Weekends away or a great investment'
Engela van Staden, a Pam Golding Properties area manager in Hoedspruit says there has been interest in “mainly residential wildlife estates, which provides the security and benefits of living in a gated community, with the freedom to run or cycle and where children can play in a secure environment. And this, all while enjoying the plains game that roam around freely on these estates.
“Other Big 5 game properties have also seen increased interest, mainly as an option for weekends and holidays and a great investment. Hoedspruit is only 4.5 hours from Gauteng by road and also has daily flights to or from OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airport. Prices have ranged from R1.5 million in an estate to R11 million on a Big 5 Reserve.
Numerous properties have been sold during lockdown, ranging in price from stands of R350 000 and R550 000 to holiday homes, homes for retirement or for a lifestyle change, ranging from R1 million to R5.1 million. A commercial lodge was also recently sold, adds Van Staden, saying "Two out of 12 recent sales under lockdown by Pam Golding Properties Hoedspruit were to overseas buyers – one for a holiday home and the other for permanent relocation to South Africa."
The market shows people are choosing a safe, private, and tranquil environment in which to live.
"People have rearranged their priorities. Properties with the potential to be rented out over B&B are also in high demand, as some people still need to generate an income,” says Annie van den Berg, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Wildlife Properties in Hoedspruit.
'Escaping urban congestion'
From people looking to escape the congestion of urban life as they prioritise their lifestyle under a pandemic, bushveld properties are however drawing cash buyers from both Cape Town and Gauteng.
“Our office has been exceptionally busy lately, especially with South Africans who were stuck in the city centers over the lockdown. Many are choosing to spend the rest of their lockdown in the bush and are renting out here for three- to six-month periods,” says Annie van den Berg, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Wildlife Properties in Hoedspruit.
“We are seeing many buyers from the Cape as well as cash buyers from Gauteng. There have also been many first-time buyers now qualifying for bonds and taking advantage of the low interest rates.
Similarly, Johan Mouton and Louis Van Ass, Specialist Brokers for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty consider the interest shown in these properties during lockdown to be indicative of the "exciting new trend where young, 30-something entrepreneurs are often motivated by a desire to conserve their heritage in the African bushveld. And, with the advent of remote working, many of them now have the opportunity to live a dream!"
Van Ass says while enquiries have spiked, not all have translated into sales, "the preference seems to be for established operations in accessible areas like Bela Bela, Ellisras, Thabazimbi & the Big Five estates in Hoedspruit as well as properties in close proximity to the Kruger National Park."
Dawie Venter, Pam Golding Properties area principal in Tzaneen says August has seen many enquiries, “mostly for residential and also retirement".
Venter says they’re finding that people who relocate here are “more due to agricultural interest, and work transfers”. He notes there has been a big demand for "smallholdings and farms, with water rights”.
'Embracing ruralisation and home schooling'
Rory Muldoon, Pam Golding Properties agent in Modimolle and Bela-Bela, says enquires have increased from Gauteng in general, including “a number of professional people who are now working remotely and embracing ruralisation and home schooling”.
They’ve also seen an uptick in lodges and smallholdings property sales in particular.
“People have learnt they can work from home and are only an hour and twenty minutes away from Pretoria and Johannesburg and can get to face to face meetings if needed. Some families are needing two houses on smallholdings so parents and sons and daughters are living on the same premises.”
Muldoon says his clients have included “attorneys, graphic artists buying for permanent relocation and investment property for holiday lets”.
Foreign investor interest
There has been some interest in foreign investment into bushveld properties but these can “obviously only exercise their buying needs once international travel has resumed properly”, adds Van Staden.
for “many people living in the bigger cities, the bushveld location became appealing in the sense that it provided a simpler less hectic lifestyle and a better-quality lifestyle. Less time sitting in traffic and more time at home with the family or enjoying outdoor activities that there was never time for. Basically, people wanting a change for their families from the security concerns, costs and stresses associated with city living to a more relaxed, less stressful, and safe environment.”
Despite the political instability, the very weak Rand has created an attractive return on investment (ROI) for commercial buyers, especially those from foreign countries with strong currencies such as the Euro, Pound or Dollar.
Mouton notes that expats who know the value of the properties are also keen to take advantage of the current situation which, especially the hugely discounted or distressed estates.
Many properties were bought and developed many years ago by wealthy individuals and companies but time and circumstances have now necessitated a re-think of their priorities. Retirement strategies sometimes require a consolidation of assets, which includes selling off property. The slow 2018-19 economy and political instability coupled with the Covid lockdown, created unforeseen strain on many people’s resources and capital. Recovering from this position is going to take a long time and many owners feel it is too risky to continue.
"Any property within a few hours from the main cities is attracting attention and, for the wealthier buyers, those with landing strips for light aircraft are most appealing. The bushveld has always had a magical fascination and I believe this will remain in our veins forever," says Mouton.
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