Holidaymakers and local buyers spoilt for choice in Margate

Just 20km south of Port Shepstone or a scenic 135km coastal drive from Durban lies the popular seaside resort town of Margate.

Renowned for its laidback lifestyle and idyllic South Coast beaches, complete with warm water swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling and boating activities, this South Coast gem has been a favourite holiday destination for local and international tourists for many years.

As a tourism-fuelled town, however, there have been fears for the future of the local property market now that South Africans are tightening their belts against increasing financial strain. Interestingly, local experts are not predicting that Margate’s tourist economy will have a negative effect on property growth. In fact, the considerable rental sector could help see the town safely through the upcoming market downturn.

According to Charl Cilliers, the Rawson Property Group’s franchisee for the area, Margate has always been fuelled by the tourism industry. He says it’s particularly popular with local families as a more affordable alternative to the North Coast, and that’s going to play in its favour as holiday budgets come under fire.

Cilliers says around 75% of Margate’s sectional title properties are currently let out as holiday accommodation, while 35% to 40% of freehold properties operate on a similar basis. “We expect to see a decrease in the average length of holiday rentals over the next period, but numbers should remain high enough to keep those units reasonably full, especially if holidaymakers turn to Margate in preference of more expensive destinations.”

Confidence in Margate’s tourist appeal and property market potential appears to have spread to buyers in the area. Cilliers says their general sales enquiries have increased noticeably over the last six to eight months and they’re seeing huge demand for rentable permanent accommodation as well as the usual holiday properties.

For now, he says they have a good amount of stock on offer, so the opportunities are there for the taking. Prices are also stable, but will increase gradually over the next few years, he says.

Buyers can expect prices in Margate to range from R400 000 for a one bedroom apartment to R6 million for a luxury penthouse. “Our most popular price range at the moment is between R750 000 and R1.3 million. These properties tend to be ideal for rentable holiday accommodation, and often generate income sooner than more expensive investments.”

Margate has much more than just your typical holiday apartment on offer, but has a mix of old and new freestanding homes, eco estates and smallholdings.

Cilliers says historically, a lot of their buyers are either scaling down or investing in their second or third homes, which is why sectional title properties are so popular – they’re easier to manage and maintain. He says local families living permanently in the area, however, tend to prefer freehold properties, and there is increasing demand for long-term rentals of this type, which is a great opportunity for buy-to-let investors.

Cilliers says buyers should do their research before investing in a particular Margate property. He says the purpose of your purchase dramatically affects the type of property you should be looking for. “If you want a short-term holiday rental property to generate decent income, don’t look in a quiet neighbourhood far from the beach. Long-term rentals, on the other hand, could benefit from the peace and privacy of a less central location.”

Above all, Cilliers says use a qualified real estate agent who is familiar with the ins and outs of the Margate community. He says it’s so important to have an agent who understands the opportunities available, and how you can harness these for a profitable investment that will stand the test of time.