City dwellers snapping up Karoo homes and guesthouses

Increasingly, the Karoo is seen as a compelling and exciting tourism destination by the many travellers and visitors who explore the vast open spaces and myriad of towns that comprise this broad-spread and varied region.

This seven bedroom, nine bathroom guesthouse in Prince Albert, Western Cape, has two swimming pools, an enclosed braai and entertainment area and covered patios. It is on the market for R9.3 million - click here to view.

This is according to Wayne Rubidge, Pam Golding Properties area principal in the Karoo, who says the reasons for this are apparent as the Karoo has so many different options to offer, not only to tourists, but also to those wanting to find a relaxing getaway property of their own which can also provide them with a regular income stream.

Rubidge says many people are keen to explore the tranquil countryside in an escape from the stresses and bustle of busy city life, and the Karoo has such variety to offer, with character-filled towns and different landscapes to suit every individual preference.

“Coupled with this, in the light of economic constraints domestic tourism has flourished, with cost-conscious South Africans eager to visit easily accessible destinations without even having to cross the borders or travel overseas. This has made the acquisition of a tourism or accommodation establishment very attractive to those wanting to relocate permanently to a country location,” says Rubidge.

“And, with the expansion of wireless ADSL service providers many towns now have faster internet connections, which is increasingly important and of benefit to businesses or those working remotely.”

This eight bedroom, eight bathroom home in Graaff-Reinett has a pool, well-maintained garden and entertainment areas. It is on the market for R6.5 million - click here to view.

Rubidge says considering the Karoo encompasses no less than four provinces which include the Free State and all three Cape Provinces, its central location ensures that all road travellers going from north to south must pass through it - with a high probability that, due to the distances involved, they will sleep over in one of the Karoo’s numerous towns.

“The region is well serviced by five national roads and is accessed from all the major centres. The N1 highway dissects the Karoo and links with other national routes that also cross the Karoo from the major centres and airports such as George on the Garden Route, Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and Cape Town in the Western Cape,” he says.

“Besides the N1, other popular access routes are the N10 for visitors for the Karoo Midlands via Cradock, the N6 for the Eastern Karoo which passes Queenstown, the N9 to George via Graaff-Reinet and the N12 from Kimberley to Beaufort West.”

Due to this location and the perennial interest in exploring the Karoo, Rubidge says accommodation establishments have proved over time to be a popular investment.

Many of the leading destinations include towns like Prince Albert, Graaff-Reinet and Cradock, and many others which all have their own unique attractions, including three National Parks.

Rubidge says speciality destinations like beautiful villages such as Rhodes, Nieu Bethesda and Loxton are as popular as the larger towns.

This three bedroom, two bathroom home in Cradock has an outside entertainment area with built-in braai. It is on the market for R735 000 - click here to view.

The diversity of attractions and activities that the Karoo has to offer is also an important component for visitors, and includes the adventure destinations found along the Orange River and two of South Africa’s largest dams, the Gariep and the Vanderkloof dam.

“We find that many visitors either come to the Karoo having done their property searches via the internet and go to a specific town with the intention of buying a property as an investment or holiday house or, alternatively, the growing trend is to seek a property in order to relocate to the country - and here the Karoo is an ongoing favourite,” says Rubidge.

Alternatively, he says visitors travelling to the Karoo for a holiday or an event fall in love with an area or a town and decide to investigate property investment opportunities.

“Normally these buyers will not buy immediately, but will start with an internet search and then visit the region again to inspect various properties. This process can take up to six months from the first visit and sometimes even longer or during the next holiday season,” says Rubidge.

“Due to the wide range of towns in the Karoo, people display diverse interests in properties of all types, but the most popular are the properties with historic value built in the classic Karoo style, and either a larger Victorian-style or the simple lock-up and go Karoo flat-roof cottages.”

This seven bedroom, three bathroom home in Aberdeen has five water tanks, a well-maintained  vegetable garden and double garage. It is on the market for R1.45 million – click here to view.

In the instance of relocation for lifestyle purposes, Rubidge says a guesthouse or a business component is often a request, and price varies substantially depending on mostly the size of the town and the facilities available, such as schools.

“Each town has its own unique culture and offerings for visitors or travellers who converge on or travel through the region from all the quarters of South Africa,” he says.

“Buyers at the top end of the market are mostly successful businessmen or families who come from the bigger metropoles, with a lifestyle change high on the list of reasons for investing. They also find that a guest house or hospitality business is a great way to stay involved and meet with people from all walks of life who visit the Karoo.”

He says recent sales by Pam Golding Properties in the Karoo include the prestigious Bergkant Lodge in Prince Albert, which with its luxurious rooms and lavish gardens fetched R11.5 million.

Rubidge says some sound opportunities for investment in this popular town include a 4-star, seven-room complex with Karoo-style cottage architecture which is priced at R9.3 million.

For those wanting more space with a country feel there is a small farming opportunity on 2.4ha of prime land, ideal for buyers seeking a permanent relocation. The farm includes an appealing four bedroom main house, five self-catering guest cottages and two further self-catering units for R6.85 million.

This four bedroom, two bathroom home in Aberdeen has Oregon pine floors throughout, a lounge fireplace and built-in kitchen cupboards. It is on the market for R995 000 – click here to view.

Graaff-Reinet, he says, is another bustling town full of tourists and visitors, with recent activities including the restoration and refurbishment of the historic, landmark Drostdy Hotel.

“Not far from the Drostdy, and for sale through Pam Golding Properties in Graaff-Reinet, is a luxurious 4-star guesthouse with eight air-conditioned en suite bedrooms, a pool and private parking in a sought-after area within walking distance of restaurants and shops,” says Rubidge.

“With luxurious finishes the property is profitable and sold as a going concern priced at R6.5 million.”

He says that more affordable investment opportunities can be found in Aberdeen, a smaller community which is just 50km from Graaff-Reinet and offers excellent value in the lower price ranges, with a recently renovated Victorian 600sqm home with high ceilings, sturdy Oregon pine floors and seven bedrooms priced at just R1.45 million.

“The main difference between the smaller towns compared to larger towns like Cradock, Graaff-Reinet and Prince Albert, is the somewhat lesser number of tourists or visitors they attract, as well as the lower average house price,” says Rubidge.