Pretoria is made up of a collection of both new and established suburbs, offering everything from leafy streetscapes to modern security estates, and a selection of excellent public and private schools.
Meanwhile Johannesburg may be Africa’s largest and wealthiest city and the continent’s bustling financial hub, but if you know where to buy you can find many suburbs which offer both excellent value as well as a quality lifestyle.
If you are a first-time buyer looking for your first home or an investor in search of your second property in Johannesburg or Pretoria, these are the areas you should be looking in…
According to Cobus Odendaal, CEO for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in Johannesburg and Randburg, buyers are currently spoilt for choice with a variety of great property options in these areas.
“Sandton is South Africa’s financial hub and is home to a number of suburbs populated by trophy homes,” says Odendaal, “but it also has affordable gems which are also oases within a bustling urban area.”
“Although Craighall lies slightly to the west of Sandton, nestled between Parkhurst and Sandton’s Central Business District, it’s one of Johannesburg’s oldest and most popular suburbs with large properties, beautiful gardens and leafy streets and welcoming a sense of green tranquility.
“The suburb is conveniently situated between two major arterials, Beyers Naude Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue, and is also close to the M1 and a stone’s throw from the trendy Hyde Park shopping centre.”
The average price of a house is currently around R4.4m but it is still possible to buy a three-bedroomed family home for around R2.5m or a modern apartment for under R1m.
2. River Club:
This peaceful, leafy suburb in the heart of Sandton offer the epitome of community living in a secure environment with motorised patrols and boomed access points.
Properties in these areas tend to be in high demand as they are close to the Sandton CBD, Gautrain stations and easy access to all major routes and highways, yet feel as if they are far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Morningside Shopping Centre is close by and allows one to quickly stock up sans the madding crowds so typical of Sandton City and there are a number of outstanding schools nearby, including St Stithians College, Redhill, Crawford College, Brescia House, St David's, The French School Lycée Jules Verne and British International College.
The average house price is around R4 million but there are also lovely three-bedroomed houses for between R2.8m and R3.8m or you can buy a stunning three-bedroom townhouse for R2.2m to R2.8m.
According to Caroline Nixon, a candidate property practitioner with Seeff Sandton, estates such as Dainfern Golf Estate, Helderfontein Estate and Fourways Gardens are a good bet for those looking for good security for their family, especially children.
She says there is greater demand for security estates with buyers often looking for more space and four bedrooms. Younger families often want a house that they can fix up and add onto. Easy access to good schools is important so that they don’t sit in traffic due to loadshedding and traffic delays.
Dainfern Golf Estate, Helderfontein Estate and Fourways Gardens offer a great lifestyle, from sports fields and centres to club houses, medical and fire response units and nature environments where everyone can walk securely any time of the day or night.
In most cases these estates are close to the top schools that the children are attending and for some they are close enough and it is secure enough to allow the children to walk to and from their homes. Popular schools include Dainfern College in Dainfern Golf Estate and Reddam House in Helderfontein Estate.
“Randburg is the ideal area for first-time buyers as it offers young investors a choice of affordable suburbs and property options to suit all needs; from aspirant professionals wanting modern lock-up-and-go convenience to young couples seeking a traditional family home,” says Odendaal.
“The area also has every amenity that anyone could need and is also very conveniently situated with easy access to major arterials as well as the greater Sandton area. It also boasts numerous first-rate shopping centers, medical and sports facilities and excellent private and public schools.”
Linden is one of Johannesburg’s prettiest and oldest suburbs and is well-situated to the northwest of the city centre. Despite the fact that you are within a stone’s throw reach of Sandton, Northcliff, Melville and various popular amenities, Linden has retained its original essence and charm.
Its beautiful houses, many of which have been sympathetically restored are well-priced and the suburb offers a wide selection of clusters, town houses and apartments in a friendly, secure environment. The average house price is around R2.7m but you can get a lovely three-bedroom house for R2.3m and a four-bedroomed house from about R3.1m.
Duane Butler, licensee for Seeff Randburg says the greater Randburg area offers a number of top suburbs to invest in. He notes that it is still largely a buyer’s market in the area as there is an excellent selection of stock available. Sellers must ensure they do not overprice since the market has slowed following the aggressive interest rate hikes over the last few months.
The great thing about Randburg is that it offers something for every buyer and budget. There are more affordable areas where you can find great start homes, including in Weltevredenpark, Wilgeheuwel and Allens Nek where you can find sectional title units starting from R650 000 and some homes starting from around R1.2 million.
Family buyers can look at suburbs such as Randpark Ridge, Weltevredenpark and Sundowner where they can find great family houses in the R1.7 million to R2.2 million range.
EKURHULENI
“Long overshadowed by the more ‘prestigious’ northern suburbs, Johannesburg East is finally shedding its Cinderella mantle with a sharp increase in the value and volume of sales and Ekurhuleni now emerging as Gauteng’s rising star and development hot spot,” says Odendaal.
“Bedfordview’s established reputation as an upmarket and aspirant suburb along with its broad property landscape catering to a broad spectrum of buyers from first time buyers continues to buoy the market.
“Bedfordview has also benefitted from substantial investment in the suburb’s commercial nodes and surrounding industrial areas and the fact many prominent companies have relocated to the area.
“The area boasts a strategically well-positioned location with easy access to all major centers and the airport, excellent value for money, a broad range of properties to meet all budgets and lifestyles and first-class amenities.”
He adds that although Bedfordview has been attracting investor interest for a number of years already, more and more suburbs in the area are inching their way into the spotlight, including Marais Steyn Park, Elma Park, Hurleyvale, Highlands North and Oaklands.
The average house price in Bedfordview is R3.9m but here there really is something for everyone, with three-bedroomed houses starting at a very accessible R1.7m and ranging all the way up to around R7m.
Edenvale and Bedfordview (East Rand)
These areas are ideally located for those who work on the East Rand and are close to the OR Tambo International Airport. There is a bustling CBD and commercial area with retail, medical care, services and more including easy access to great shopping centres such as Eastgate. There are also plenty of sports facilities in the area and an excellent choice of public and private schools.
Dave Ingle, licensee for Seeff Edenvale and Bedfordview says the Edenvale area, which comprises a number of suburbs, is great for families and affordability. Prices range from around R520,000 to R19,500,000. There is a large choice of security estates and sectional title complexes, ideal for first-time buyers. There is also an excellent choice of freehold houses, ranging from around R2 million, but you will also find luxury homes in the R4 million to R8 million plus range.
Bedfordview is an affluent area offering a choice of luxury homes, popular with professionals and families. That said, you can find affordably priced apartments in the Bedford Gardens area, priced under R1 million and sectional title townhouses under R2 million. There is a choice of stunning luxury homes in the R3 million to R5 million range, but prices can range upwards of R10 million to around R40 million for spectacular homes.
Centurion (Pretoria)
Tiaan Pretorius, manager for Seeff Centurion says that with the rate hikes, there is now a swing in the market slightly biased towards buyers. There has also been a steady increase of properties coming onto market, easing the constraints which were evident over the last two year. Sellers will therefore need to ensure they go to market at the right price to maximise the potential value of their property. Homes which are overpriced stay much longer on the market and normally end up selling for below market value.
Great areas to invest in right now include Midstream Estate, Amberfield and Centurion Golf Estate. Midstream offers great value for buyers looking for a safe and secure modern estate with a village feel, schools, shops and hospitals within walking distance in the estate. Full title three-bedroomed properties start from just under R3 million and range to R18 million for a top end home.
Centurion Golf Estate is always a good choice. It offers a mix of properties. Sectional title units which are large with three bedrooms start from R2.4 million and full titles from R2.8 million.
The most active price range in the estate is between R3.5 million and R4.5 million, and homes priced over R7 million with a location on the golf course or near the clubhouse. The estate is close to various public and private schools such as Southdown College and Cornwall Hill College.
According to Gerhard van der Linde, managing director for Seeff Pretoria East, the Gauteng property market has slowed down significantly during the festive season (as is usually the case). Since January there has been a dramatic increase in activity, and a shortage of listings is apparent.
Despite the increase in interest rates, the demand has grown again for realistically priced properties, and there is a definite increase in the number of buyers who are not using finance, and therefore not affected by the interest rates. That said, sellers will need to price their properties competitively from the outset.
Pretoria East is tranquil and renowned for the beautiful Jakaranda trees which bloom from spring to early summer. It is sought after for its excellent schools, proximity to the University of Pretoria, excellent amenities and variety of neighbourhoods, depending on your lifestyle needs and budget. There are also many sectional title complexes and gated estates as well as luxury lifestyle estates in the area.
Areas around the university such as Sunnyside are more popular with students.
First time buyers can look at more affordable areas such as Equestria and Moreleta Park and Faerie Glen. Neighbourhoods such as Waterkloof, Lynnwood, Woodhill and Mooikloof are great for family buyers.
The price bands below R3 million always tend to be the most active, and for luxury homes, generally in the R3 million to R8 million range.
Glenanda and Glenvista (Johannesburg South)
For those looking for affordability in the Johannesburg south area, the Glenanda and Glenvista neighbourhoods are an excellent choice according to Russell Theron, Kerrie Oates and Ryan Theron, licensees for Seeff Glenanda.
Glenvista also offers a good mix of sectional titles (about 37% of all stock) and freehold houses (about 63% of all stock). Prices start from around R600,000 for sectional title, and two-bedroomed townhouses from around R895 000. Freehold houses range from around R1.9 million and there is a wide selection of large modern luxury homes offering amazing extras from R3 million upwards.
Glenanda is an older suburb bordering Glenvista which comprises about 22% sectional title and 78% freehold. Sectional title properties start from around R550 000 for an entry level apartment and there are a wide range of family homes Depending on your choice with prices ranging from around R1.9 million to R2.9 million on average.
Alberton North (Johannesburg South)
Suzanne Ridolfi, licensee for Seeff Southcrest says the northern areas of Alberton such as the suburbs of South Crest, Alberton North, Elandspark and surrounds offer excellent value for money and access to good schools. The area is ideally located to the highway and other arterials.
These areas are great for first-time buyers as well as families. Prices range from around R900,000 and you can find a nice three-bedroomed house for around R1.5 million. Larger homes with swimming pools are upwards of around R1.7 million to R2.8 million for a large property with plenty of extras.
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