Although it is situated just 20 minutes south of Johannesburg and Alberton, the predominately rural village of Walkerville has become synonymous with peaceful country living.
This home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a swimming pool, lapa and one bedroom cottage. It is on the market for R2.1 million - click here to view.
With no formal records as to when the first settlers decided on staying in the area, it is thought that the first Europeans would have arrived around the same time that gold was discovered in the region in 1884.
Steve House, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Gateway, says while there may have been a lot of development in the area since the first settlers fell in love with Walkerville, the town has still managed to maintain much of its rural charm, which has attracted many residents wanting that out-of-town country lifestyle.
He says the large majority of buyers in the area are middle- to upper-income business people who work and commute to metropolitan areas, but want to get out of the city and have a home in the country. There is no shortage of history in the area and the way of life in Walkerville lends itself to a great sense of community, he says.
This home offers three bedrooms, one bathroom, a flatlet, stables and a four car lock-up garage. It is priced at R1.6 million - click here to view.
According to House, although Walkerville is close to the Johannesburg metropolitan area, it falls within the municipal boundaries of Midvaal, which was voted last year as the municipality with the best standard of living and service delivery in Gauteng. He notes that this is another element that has helped attract property buyers to the area.
Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says Walkerville is one of the few areas across the country that appeals to buyers of all age groups. He says according to Lightstone statistics, homeowners between the ages of 18 and 35, 36 and 49, 50 and 64, and 65 or older, each accounted for 25 percent of recent buyers in the area.
House says all properties within the Walkerville area are full title homes and houses within secure estates. He says estates provide residents with the chance to live on large open properties without compromising on safety.
This five bedroom home offers two and a half bathrooms, three living areas, storerooms and a rondavel. It is on the market for R1.15 million - click here to view.
“We have a number of secure estates in the area that cater for residents who value security as a top priority, but who also want to experience the unique offering that living in an area such as Walkerville provides.”
House says one such estate is the exclusive development known as Blue Saddle Ranches. He says this equestrian estate offers stands of between 10 000 and 20 000 square metres, meaning that each property ranges between 2.5 acres to five acres in size. It is a beautiful upmarket equestrian estate with restricted access and is a place where horses have the right of way, he says.
He notes that the development has approximately 300 stands with 70 percent developed and 30 percent vacant land. Currently, about twenty of these vacant stands are available for purchase.
According to House, buyers can purchase a 2.5 acre vacant stand for around R450 000, with a five acre stand selling between R800 000 and R1 million depending on its position within the estate. He says although some of the five acre stands may be subdivided at a later stage, the minimum stand size in the estate will be around 8 565 square metres.
There are also around 10 established homes in the estate that are on the market ranging in price from R1.5 million for a home on a 2.5 acre stand, anywhere up to around R8 million for a top-end home on a five acre stand. House notes that so far there are approximately 60 homes within the estate that are currently occupied.
“There are no restrictions as to what can be built on the stand; however, the home must be the resident’s primary residence. If the property is the homeowners second home, they must first obtain consent before they commence building. There are no businesses allowed to operate within the estate, unless they are directly linked to equestrian activities.”
House says this development is the perfect getaway for people who want a laid-back country lifestyle within a secure environment where horseback is the preferred way to travel.
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