Farms around the Franschhoek/Paarl Valley are back on the investment radar of local, upcountry and foreign buyers looking to secure a sought-after property in this scenic and fertile valley.
This lifestyle property in Franschhoek has panoramic views of the valley and montains and an organic orchard. It is selling for R14.85 million - click here to view.
This is according to Seeff Franschhoek agent, Elza Oberholzer, who says interest is once again coming from across the board with anything from small lifestyle stands to larger lifestyle farms and commercial wine and olive farms back in demand.
She says aside from the commercial and hospitality development opportunities available to buyers, many choose to simply opt for a lifestyle farm for residential purposes in their search for a tranquil country lifestyle, yet within close proximity of the city. Others are looking to develop either a small commercial operation or tourism product with cottages for supplemental income.
Since October last year, about 42 farms to the total value of almost R235 million have sold. Smaller lifestyle stands have sold for upwards of around R2 million to R3.5 million, while about 9 larger lifestyle and commercial farms have sold for upwards of just under R10 million to R30 million. This includes the sale of a 58 hectare portion of the Val de Vie farm (with no buildings) in the Paarl Valley that sold for R12 million (R207 000 per square metre).
This farm in La Ferme, Franschhoek offers a three bedroom main house, swimming pool and three log cabins. It is on the market for R12 million - click here to view.
At the top end, Waterfal an 18.24 hectare wine and olive farm complete with homestead and other buildings in the sought-after La Motte/Wemmershoek along the R310 heading into Franschhoek, recently sold for just over R30 million (R1.65M/ha) to a German buyer, says Oberholzer.
The buoyant activity has paved the way for exciting new stock to come onto the market, both for residential and commercial buyers, but also for investors who have the opportunity to buy and capitalise on the development potential in the valley, she says. Lifestyle farms especially, many with untapped potential are offering some of the best value right now. These range from a 2.4 hectare stand on the Berg River priced at R3.4 million to a 47.9 hectare lifestyle farm located over seven hills in the La Motte/Wemmershoek area, just outside the village.
On the market for R14.85 million (R310 000 hectares), the scenery and vegetation is quite unmatched in the area, says Oberholzer. Reached via a cobble-paved servitude road, the property sits in an elevated position with panoramic views across the mountains and rolling vineyards. Rock formations and hectares of unique unspoilt fynbos and sunrises and sunsets, makes it a unique find.
This 6.2 hectare farm in Franschhoek is selling for R4.95 million - click here to view.
It includes a spacious double-storey homestead with four bedrooms, two on the lower level with en suite bathrooms, the third on the upper level with a study nook and adjoining lounge and the fourth located over the double garage with panoramic views. There is a spacious lounge, dining room, modern kitchen and terrace with braai facilities. Just outside the kitchen is an organic orchard with fourteen fruit varieties as well as an organic vegetable garden. Located a little distance away amongst the rocks and with stunning views, are two lovely mountain cottages, each with two bedrooms that are popular with tourists.
The area has top security, says Oberholzer, and while it is quite suitable for a residential buyer, it offers the potential for a wine and olive plantation and expanding the existing hospitality cottages. It is also possible to develop five residential homes on a share block basis. An astute investor could develop it into an exclusive fynbos residential estate given the demand for lifestyle properties in the area, she says. The property is close to the village with all of its facilities and the sought-after Bridge House School is also nearby.
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