The country lifestyle of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, with its convenient access to major cities, remains a sought-after area.
This is according to Myles Wakefield, CEO of Wakefields Real Estate, who says recently there has been an up-tick in interest in country smallholdings and farms in the Nottingham Road area, while demand for retirement accommodation in secure developments in Howick continues apace.
He says the Midlands, which stretches from Hilton to the foot of the Drakensberg, is home to some of South Africa's top, well respected and prestigious private schools such as Cowan House, Clifton Preparatory School, Treverton Preparatory School and College, Michaelhouse, Hilton College and St Anne's Diocesan College.
He says these private schools are an important driver of the Midlands property market and more particularly that of Nottingham Road. This is a convenient location (with Johannesburg about a 4.5 hour drive away and Pietermaritzburg about 40 minutes and Durban 1.5 hours away) for second home buyers from Gauteng and elsewhere who have children attending the areas’ private schools. It enables them to visit their children regularly while, over the years, benefiting from the appreciation in value.
Lifestyle country properties, which vary from five hectares to 20 hectares, are often bought for hobby farming and prices range from R2.5 million to R18 million, while popular gated estates are priced from R2.5 million
Wakefields says currently on the market is a well looked after, genuine Victorian Midlands home that is partly constructed of iron brought from Britain in the 1900s – the home was the original homestead on St Ives farm, however, it was dismantled and lovingly rebuilt in its present picturesque setting.
The property offers 20 hectares of land and has an English country garden in the Caversham area, which is often the setting for brides to be photographed. “The home also offers beautifully kept Oregon pine floors, doors and windows and a large country kitchen with an original Aga stove. The home is on the market for R4.25 million.”
Another important driver of the Midlands property market is that of retirees, mainly from Durban and Gauteng, who are downscaling, and to a large extent, joining friends who have already settled in Howick’s various retirement villages, he says. This circle of companionship is a big attraction in addition to the cooler climate, cheaper living costs, good medical facilities and convenient positioning close to the Midlands Meander, Drakensberg, Pietermaritzburg and Durban for activities, says Wakefield.
Looking at gated estates, asking prices in retirement villages vary from R750 000 to R 3.5 million depending on the unit. At Eagle Ridge Estate, which is popular among the young and older generations, homes are priced from R750 000, while the relatively new family oriented Protea Gardens is priced from R795 000.
In the Howick suburbs, prices range from R750 000 to R2.5 million and, with a waiting list of qualified buyers, well-priced property sells quickly.
Wakefield says the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands can be hot and wet in summer, with average temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, while winters are cool and dry, sometimes with snow and frost, and average temperatures of around six degrees Celsius.
He says it is home to the Midlands Meander tourism routes that include accommodation, arts and crafts, leisure, activities and restaurant stops, as well as a host of sporting activities from sailing at the Midmar Dam to trout fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, hiking in the Drakensberg, visiting historical sites and more.