Paarl’s property market is picking up again after slowing down in the first few months of the year.
This six bedroom, six bathroom home in Val de Vie has floor-to-ceiling glass windows and an open-plan entertainment, living and sunken audiovisual room. It overlooks a dam and is on the market for R22 million - click here to view.This is according to Chris Cilliers, chief executive and principal for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in the Winelands, who says over the past 12 months, the Paarl property market initially fared well despite the economic slump, but since then the cabinet reshuffle caused some sluggishness. “The economic and political influences together with the seasonal downturn led to a tough winter, but since August demand has definitely started to pick up again.”
She says the slowdown was apparent over all market segments. However, agricultural properties seemed to weather the storm, and interest in this sector of the market is picking up again now.
“We are looking forward to a busy summer season. There is still plenty of demand from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as Cape Town’s southern and northern suburbs. In particular, Paarl’s excellent schools attract families at this time of year,” says Cilliers.
This four bedroom, three bathroom home in Paarl’s living room opens up to a covered patio with a built-in braai and swimming pool. It is on the market for R3.695 million - click here to view.She says there is strong demand for homes in estates, as well as good family homes close to schools. In Northern Paarl, where many reasonably priced homes are being renovated, there has also been a significant increase in interest - and value.
Cilliers says the increase in transfer fees has made many homeowners consider renovating instead of selling.
“Some homeowners do go this route. However, there are many who are scaling down and moving to more secure areas. Although we are seeing investors renovating homes to sell, the increased costs of buying and selling, as well as building materials, make it more difficult to turn a property around very quickly.”
Lew Geffen, chairman of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, says in the traditional suburbs there aren’t many homes priced under R2 million.
This two bedroom, one bathroom apartment for sale in Paarl has a balcony and is tiled throughout. It is selling for R790 000 - click here to view.“There are several entry-level developments where homes are priced from about R750 000, but in the larger, more established estates prices range from about R4 million to R5 million through to R30 million,” says Geffen.
“But, as there is still huge demand for estate properties, as long as homes are priced correctly for their condition and location, they are not difficult to move. There are plenty of upcountry buyers and there is still demand from foreigners, although this often only picks up after September, when the tourist season starts.”
Cilliers says there is currently a shortage of entry-level stock on estates such as Val de Vie Estate and Boschenmeer, and the upper end of the market is being driven by demand at Val de Vie, which was recently named South Africa’s best estate for the third year in a row by New World Wealth.
This sympathetically restored home in Paarl has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and bay windows. It is selling for R5.995 million - click here to view.“The current available development stock on Val de Vie Estate has been in great demand, and opportunities are running out. However, there have been some entry-level developments launched in the town, and we are aware that there are many planning applications in Drakenstein,” says Cilliers.
As far as rentals go, she says there is always strong demand for all rental properties in Paarl, and family homes close to the schools are particularly popular.
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