From modest weekend getaways to large maize and cattle farms, there are property investment opportunities aplenty in the rural towns all along the Maputo Development Corridor in Mpumalanga.
This two bedroom wooden cottage in Belfast has open-plan living areas. It is selling for R275 000 - click here to view.This is according to Francois de Villiers, owner of the RealNet franchise in Belfast, who says economic uncertainty in the region has created a buyers’ market, with an abundance of farms, smallholdings and weekend homes to choose from in towns like Belfast, Dullstroom, Machadodorp and Waterval Boven.
“We are feeling the effects of the general economic slowdown. However, this always brings with it opportunities for investors who can acquire prime real estate at ‘bargain basement’ prices.”
He says entrepreneurs are currently already taking advantage of the chance to snap up multimillion-rand ecotourism and farming properties. For example, in Machadodorp, which boasts the oldest trout fishing club in the country, many of the modest cottages are now owned by top business leaders who visit on weekends to “get away from it all”.
An important cattle and maize farming region, the highlands of Mpumlanga also has many established farms with boreholes, irrigation water rights and Eskom electricity.
“And many farmers are ready to retire at the moment, making way for a new generation of younger farmers at favourable prices. For example, we currently have a 78ha farm, including its livestock, implements and a homestead on the market for only R3.7 million.”
This 57.1ha farm in Machadodorp is on the market for R2.99 million - click here to view.As for ecotourism opportunities, De Villiers says another value for money property currently on the market is an established ecotourism business on a 217ha farm in the Schoemanskloof area with river frontage, swimming pool, lapa, four bedroom house and the potential for game farming, priced at R5.4 million.
“We also have a 50ha farm near Bambi in the Badfontein area, overlooking the Kwena Dam, for sale for only R1.4 million. Slightly pricier, is the 57ha farm with homestead, outbuildings, Eskom electricity and three separate fishing and camping camps, which is on the market for R2.99 million.”
He says also available now is a 107ha farm with business rights that forms part of an incomplete ‘green’ development with seven springs, two boreholes and five dams. It has been subdivided into 24 stands each measuring 3ha to 5ha and is priced at R6.6 million.”
If buyers would like to build their own weekend homes, vacant residential stands overlooking the rolling hills are available for as little as R99 000.
“And if you just want a basic weekend getaway, you can buy a two bedroom wooden cottage on a stand of 2 855sqm in Belfast for as little as R275 000,” says De Villiers.
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