Cape Town's best budget-beating suburbs for first-time buyers

There is no reason to despair about Cape Town property prices if you are a first-time home buyer.

This freestanding two bedroom, two bathroom townhouse in Burgundy Estate has views, an automated garage and private outside area. It is on the market for R1 999 999 - click here to view.

Seeff’s agents can recommend a number of areas where you can find a fabulous lifestyle for around the R500 000 to R1.5 million price mark.

Seeff chairman, Samuel Seeff, says it is a great time to buy a house, especially if it is your first house. The latest data from FNB and Absa shows that more housing loans are being granted, and by using the services of a mortgage originator your chances are even better to get a home loan, provided you meet the affordability and credit score criteria.

Although buyers have to contend with higher costs due to petrol price hikes and the recent VAT hike, the interest rate drop at least aided a little in making homes more affordable, according to Seeff. He says that while Cape Town seems pricier for first-time buyers compared to Johannesburg/Pretoria and other areas, there are still many neighbourhoods that offer accessible pricing in the R500 000 to R1.5 million range, yet with the same access to excellent amenities and good schools.

Seeff agents discuss these areas:

1. Richwood, Bothasig and Burgundy Estate

This two bedroom, one bathroom home in Mitchell’s Plain is close to amenities and has a garage. It is selling for R680 000 - click here to view.

Richwood, Bothasig and Burgundy Estate offer plenty below R1.5 million. The areas have easy access to the N7 and N1 and are close to the Table View, Milnerton, Blouberg and Century City, areas making them sought-after options for budget-conscious buyers, according to Johan Jacobs, Seeff licensee for the areas.

In Bothasig and Richwood, you can find a house in the R1.3 million to R1.5 million price range, while Burgundy Estate offers apartments from R1 million, houses from R1.8 million and rentals from R8 500 a month. For just R1.69 million you can get a property with stunning sunset views and luxury extras such as a built-in braai, high-end finishes such as a Smeg oven, blinds throughout and two basement parking bays.

This is a fabulous security estate, says Jacobs. It offers stunning views and a lifestyle in a secure environment with plenty of green areas, sports fields, mashie golf, a clubhouse with tennis court, canoeing pond and trails for walking, jogging and cycling.

2. Mitchell’s Plain, Capricorn Beach Estate and Costa da Gama

This three bedroom, two bathroom apartment in Costa da Gama is in a complex with two pools. It is on the market for R1.295 million - click here to view.

Cape Town’s South Eastern Suburbs also offer great affordability, according to Gary Grobbelaar, CEO for Seeff False Bay and SE Suburbs. Mitchell’s Plain, for example, offers excellent small houses in the R500 000 to R900 000 price range.

Adjacent to Muizenberg at the bottom end of the M5, you will find Costa da Gama and the Capricorn Beach Estate, both offering excellent affordability, he says. Capricorn Beach Estate offers several developments with a mix of apartments and townhouses in a secure setting with play parks for children, two swimming pools and a walkway to the beach. Prices range from around R1.2 million for a small two bedroom home in the estate.

This one bedroom, one bathroom ground floor apartment in Brackenfell has a private garden. It is on the market for R990 000 - click here to view.

Costa da Gama also includes a number of developments such as Villa d’Algarve, a beachfront estate where you can buy a three bedroom ground floor apartment for R1.2 million, according to Seeff agent, Paul de Roos. Sunrise Villas offers a temperature controlled swimming pool and apartments in the R850 000 to R950 000. A little further back, you can find a three bedroom home for R1.3 million in Cannon Island Villas.

The area offers excellent facilities, including the Capricorn Shopping Centre for conveniences as well as access to the Southern Suburbs.

3. Brackenfell, Kraaifontein and Kuils River

Karla Coetzee, Seeff’s Manager for the Brackenfell, Kraaifontein and Kuils River areas, says that although it is a bit of a commute to the city and beaches, it is well worth it for the price paid per square metre.

This two bedroom, two bathroom apartment in a new development in Kraaifontein is selling for R1 551 980 - click here to view.

These northern suburb areas offer a laidback, family-conscious lifestyle with affordable yet spacious apartments and homes near popular schools. Add to that, good access to the N1 and taxi, bus and rail services around every corner. Aside from all the excellent conveniences, you can find great sports facilities. Some homes also offer beautiful views of the winelands.