The dream for many South Africans is to own a plot on the scenic Western Cape Garden Route and one day build a holiday retreat or a retirement cottage at the sea or even relocate permanently.
Overlooking Myoli Beach in Sedgefield this 794 square metre stand situated in Cola Beach has scenic views to the Outeniqua Mountains and the ocean. It is priced at R950 000 through Pam Golding Properties.
Walter Bakker, marketing manager of Pam Golding Properties Sedgefield office, says the scenic and quiet ‘Slowtown’ of Sedgefield is the perfect location for that idyllic coastal ‘escape’.
Five years ago tough economic trading conditions impacted negatively on the leisure property market, and sadly for some, this dream was no longer possible, he says. The result is that many vacant stands are now being marketed for less than they were acquired for before the monetary shift in 2007/2008.
On a positive note, however, he says it’s interesting to note that following a lull during the economic recession, over the last two years there has been a surge in the construction of homes in the town of Sedgefield with a return to more normal levels of building activity.
Scenic view of Sedgefield, taken from Cola Beach looking towards Myoli Beach and showing some of the newly built homes in the area.
"The builders are obviously smiling, as are the new homeowners. After all, they now live in the heart of the Garden Route National Park, and this is certainly a ‘heart’.
“Forty minutes’ drive to the east and one has travelled through Knysna for lunch in Plettenberg Bay and just half an hour in the opposite direction one passes the impressive Garden Route Mall ready to board a flight at George Airport,” he says.
Bakker says from 2008 to two years ago, hardly any new homes were built in Sedgefield, but then it was as if the town took on a new burst of energy. He explains that a forward-thinking young entrepreneur launched a business called Afroventures and chose Myoli Beach as headquarters, bringing together a variety of adventure events and activities. "With some smart e-marketing and attending the right eco-venture and tourism exhibitions and indabas the message went out that Myoli Beach was a new hotspot.
“And suddenly, about two years ago, the place was packed with visitors, including numerous, upwardly mobile, adventure-seeking holidaymakers in the age group from the late 20s to early 40s, who have injected new life into the area,” says Bakker.
View of homes in Myoli Beach showing two apartment buildings in the foreground where two bedroom, two bathroom chalets (with two entertainment/living rooms) are competitively priced at R1.1 million each.
He adds that Myoli Beach has become so popular it seems to be ‘the beach’ destination in the southern Cape. There is no doubt, he says that the arrival of the holiday adventure business has helped add fuel to exceptionally busy summer seasons from a tourism and visitor perspective, leading to increasing awareness and exposure for Sedgefield and its many attributes.
Furthermore, they have seen a marked extension of the summer season.
Bakker says according to Neels Swanepoel, proprietor of the only restaurant in Myoli Beach - the Pilipili Beach Bar and Restaurant, there has been an impressive 50 percent annual growth in visitor numbers since 2010.
The season starts in early December and now extends to the yearly Slow Festival on the Easter weekend, he says, while locals tend to also stay a few days longer than a few years ago.
"Sedgefield has really ‘arrived’ as one of the destinations on the Garden Route."
He says they are also seeing a growing trend towards Gauteng buyers relocating their families here, while the breadwinners commute to business each week and then return to an appealing coastal lifestyle on weekends.
The building boom has seen 17 new homes currently under construction in Sedgefield with others soon to follow.
“On the ocean’s edge or overlooking the dunes, the level of capital investment in building new homes augurs very well for this area in the future, with some buyers spending way over the R3 million mark on building their dream home, either for permanent residence or a holiday home," says Bakker.
Currently there are vacant stands on the market which range in size from 600 to 1 900 square metres and are well priced at pre-2007 prices, from around R220 000 to R3 million. Examples of opportunities presently available for purchase are some very keenly priced erven in Cola Beach, adjacent to Myoli Beach.
For R435 000 you can acquire an 880 square metre stand in a green belt situated in a quiet close (or cul de sac) on the edge of the valley area of Cola Beach, says Bakker.
“Or R950 000 will fetch a superb view stand of 794 square metres overlooking Myoli Beach with breathtaking views to the Outeniqua Mountains and the ocean. Some of the homes are truly beautiful and could feature in many a glossy magazine.”
Bakker says completed homes available to purchase include four sectional title units in Myoli Beach, each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and two lounges and priced at R1.1 million and three full title homes in a soon to be launched, small secure complex just a five minute stroll from Myoli Beach.
The latter development is architect-designed with options for purchasers to choose the number of bedrooms and garages and which fittings they prefer, to suit their own individual requirements. Basic, but stylish, the homes in this new development are each double storey with one bedroom, garage and private garden, priced from R850 000.
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