Family-friendly lifestyle homes in Tokai

With just over half the local residents remaining in the area for 11 years or more, according to Lightstone statistics, the mature and leafy suburb of Tokai in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs is consistently one of the most popular residential destinations in the region for home buyers.

This four bedroom house in Tokai, Cape Town, has a lounge with fireplace, a Jacuzzi, indoor braai room with built-in bar, patio and solar heated pool. It is selling for R3.75 million - click here to view.

This is according to Pam Golding Properties agent, Colleen Curtis, who says it is increasingly in demand by younger buyers, with 25% of sales from August 2014 to July 2015 in the 18 to 35 age group, and 44% aged 36 to 49, according to Lightstone.

Curtis says as a result, there is seldom much housing stock available to buy. With its lovely parks and lots of green, open spaces, people fall in love with Tokai either before or when they move here, and simply don’t want to leave.

“Most of our buyers are young couples who are planning to start a family, or who already have young children. There are also many elderly residents who are either waiting for a spot in a retirement village, or plan to remain in this area indefinitely,” she says.

“Tokai still has a country feel to it, yet has easy access to the M3 and Cape Town, it is close to all amenities, and Tokai Forest, with beaches a short drive away.”

She says the upper area is most in demand, with three and four bedroom family homes being the most popular, and with a current average price of R3.8 million.

“Dennendal is the most sought-after pocket, and considered a prime address where you can expect to pay, on average, well over R5 million,” she says.

Curtis says well-priced properties in high demand locations can receive more than one offer. Houses take on average 27 days to sell at present, but if it’s a well-priced property, it can sell in a few days.

Situated in Tokai, this luxury five bedroom, four bathroom home is priced at R8.4 million through Pam Golding Properties.

All the apartments in the Tokai area are situated in close proximity to Blue Route Mall. The most popular complex is Tokai Villas, which consists of three well-maintained residential complexes, namely Brittany, Burgundy and Bordeaux, with units priced between R850 000 and R1.5 million.

PGP agent Dawn Roberts says being close to transport routes and within walking distance of amenities, these apartments are popular among ‘swallows’ who spend about six months a year in South Africa, as well as professionals and retirees. They are also sought after by investors due to the popularity of the units as rental accommodation.

Situated in the upper area of Tokai, opposite Steenberg Golf Estate, is the large gated complex Forest Glade, which comprises 103 freestanding houses priced from R2.5 million to about R3.4 million, and with an average selling price of R2.9 million.

Agent Lee-Ann Davis says in the areas of Lakeside, Kirstenhof, Sandvlei and Klein Wassenaar, all located above the M3, good value for money is found in smaller homes with low municipal rates, ideal for start-up couples. Because of this, houses with two or three bedrooms often sell within days, and with two or three offers on the same property.

“These areas enjoy scenic mountain views and proximity to water, which is appealing to home buyers. A standard small home with three bedrooms and one bathroom can be acquired for R1.8 million, ranging up to R3 million for properties higher up the slopes. The shortage of stock is pushing up prices in these areas,” says Davis.

This 1 654sqm home in Stonehurst Mountain Estate, Cape Town, has five bedrooms, four reception rooms, underfloor heating, a fireplace, study and braai room. It is selling for R25.75 million - click here to view.

With a rural feel and mostly 4 000sqm erven, the appealing area of Zwaanswyk is attracting the equestrian set and nature lovers, as it offers breathtaking views from the upper region.

More and more houses are being renovated into beautiful and palatial homes with values from R10 million upwards. According to Propstats, there is still some vacant land available, selling from R4 million to R6.5 million, while a stand with a view will sell for more.

Curtis says Tokai is home to a number of well-established residential estates, all of which are seeing increasing demand from home buyers. The most prestigious is Steenberg Golf Estate, with 225 luxury homes and only a few available for sale at any one time.

“Few owners ever want to leave the estate given the irreplaceable lifestyle and consistent capital growth. The result is that many of the homes are now being completely revamped with the latest modern finishes and fittings,” says Curtis.

“This is another area which is attracting the 'swallows', as well as retirees who are scaling down and travelling more.”

On Steenberg Estate, the entry-level asking price is currently R8.5 million, with average prices around the R10 million to R14 million mark, and with a top-end home reaching R29 million.

With a highly-rated world-class golf course, hotel and spa, top restaurants, vineyards and manicured gardens, most of the homes on Steenberg enjoy views across the open spaces of the golf course.

This property in Steenberg Golf Estate, Cape Town, has five bedrooms, a TV room, study, air conditioning, solar heating and deck with a rim flow swimming pool. It is on sale for R18.995 million - click here to view.

Well positioned on the Silvermine Mountain slopes adjacent to Ou Kaapse Weg, Stonehurst Mountain Estate, the newest in the Tokai area and with panoramic views across the Constantia Valley and to False Bay, is rapidly reaching completion. With 80% of erven developed, it offers family homes of 300sqm to 500sqm costing on average between R7.5 million and R15 million, and a top price of R25 million.

Curtis says there are also two townhouse developments, Stone Village and Stonehurst Close, which start at R3.2 million for a 168sqm duplex with three compact bedrooms and two or three bathrooms, modern open-plan entertainment area and a small outdoor braai and garden. The prime three storey townhouses with mountain views range from R4.5 million to R5 million.

Currently there are 270 completed houses on the estate, just eight vacant stands and 14 stands in the construction phase. Feeding off Helderberg Road, in a new street called Magaliesberg Road, the second phase  will be on the west side of the estate, where most of the stands have been sold, with two stands still available, priced at R2.65 million and R2.75 million, she says.

Curtis says Stonehurst attracts a good mix of home buyers and investors, with the townhouse complexes drawing first-time homeowners with no children or young families, as well as the mature market where scaling down is a priority.

The larger homes are also popular as rental accommodation for international corporates such as gas and oil companies, and the American Embassy, which is situated in Tokai. Interspersed with lakes, streams and footpaths and home to the endangered Western Leopard Toad, the estate includes a lifestyle centre with lounge, bar, games room and gym.

According to Propstats, the fully-developed Silvertree Estate sees homes selling from R5.2 million to R8.9 million, varying in size from 200sqm to 400sqm.

“Security remains an important factor driving sales in estates. The carefree, independent lifestyle that children can experience; riding their bikes in the street, visiting a friend on foot, or playing in the park down the road, is priceless,” says Curtis.