If anyone needed confirmation that municipal management is an increasingly important issue for homeowners and buyers, it would be easy to find in the recent property sales records for the pretty towns along the Western Cape coast that fall into the Overstrand and Cape Agulhas municipalities.
These two local authorities were recently named as the best performers on the News24 Out of Order Index, and are also among only seven of more than 280 local authorities in SA to have achieved a clean audit for more than four years, according to the Auditor-General’s 2019/20 report.
Overstrand, which includes the towns of Hermanus, Gansbaai and Kleinmond, has actually registered clean audits for the past eight years, and Cape Agulhas has done the same for the past seven years.
“And home buyers have actually been voting with their feet and moving here from all over the country for some time now,” says Strepies van Wyk, principal of Chas Everitt Cape Agulhas, which operates in Struisbaai, Napier, Arniston and L’Agulhas as well as Bredasdorp.
“This is not about politics, it is about the benefits of living in our well-run towns, where public funds are used to maintain and improve infrastructure, security and the overall quality of life for residents. These benefits have clearly become increasingly important to property owners and buyers and are a much bigger factor in home purchase decisions now than they used to be. Then of course we have unspoilt beaches, beautiful scenery and nature reserves just to add to the attraction.
“In the past year especially, we have experienced an exceptionally buoyant market and property price increases of up to 25% in some areas. We have sold several well-priced properties within a day of listing them, and we are now seeing increasingly rare seafront stands selling for R5 million and more.
“Ocean views are definitely at a premium here, and most buyers relocating from inland choose a coastal location. But there are also some excellent and more affordable buying opportunities inland, and just a short drive from the sea, and sales in these areas are also increasing rapidly now.”
Upcountry buyers drawn to these 'well-run' estates
The resurgence in semigration has precipitated a sharp increase in the demand for secure living in Cape Town last year, with agents reporting an exceptionally busy festive season that has spilled over into the new year and shows no signs of abating.
SEE: 5 Cape Town homes for a growing family with a budget under R2m
Constantiaberg
Constantiaberg is one of the premier destinations for upcountry buyers who are drawn by the inimitable lifestyle and natural beauty it offers as well as the proximity of several excellent schools and all manner of amenities, from hiking and biking trails and golf courses to stunning beaches.
According to Steve Thomas and Dave Burger, Secure Estates specialists for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in the area, December was busier than they have seen in almost 20 years, with enquiries still streaming in.
“There has been a sharp increase in demand from upcountry buyers since the beginning of 2021 with most buyers citing lifestyle and space as their primary reasons for buying in the area.
“We are also fielding a growing number of enquiries from foreign investors again, especially from the UK, Europe, USA and New Zealand, many of whom can work remotely and can prioritise lifestyle over convenience when it comes to choosing where they want to live.
“Buyers are especially drawn to estates that are not only well-run but also offer excellent facilities and amenities such as clubhouses, golf courses and other leisure activities in scenic surrounds and, of course, views are paramount.”
At Stonehurst Mountain Estate, one of the most established in the area, the median price of freehold homes rose from R4.9 million in 2020 to R5.475 million in 2021 with sales increasing from 13 to 22 during the same period.
Click here to see all the sale and listing price trends in Stonehurst Mountain Estate.
The Cape Winelands is another favoured destination for upcountry buyers, and the median sale price rose notably in many estates, some even reaching a record high in 2021.
According to Lightstone data, Steenberg Golf Estate also saw freehold median prices soar last year to R13 million from R12 million the year before and sales spiked from just five in 2020 to 13 last year.
Click here to see all the sale and listing price trends in Steenberg Golf Estate
In Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs, 2021 was also a busy year for the estate sector with a flurry of activity, especially in the most sought-after estates.
Lightstone data reveals that the median price of freehold homes at Welgedacht rose from R4.882 million in 2020 to R5.5 million last year and the number of sales spiked from 14 to 31 with the previous high being 37 transactions in 2012.
Click here to see all the sale and listing price trends in Welgedacht
Clara Ana Fontein
At Clara Ana Fontein, an upmarket estate in Durbanville still under development, the freehold median price increased from R5.1 million to R5.5 million during the same period and last year a whopping 72 vacant stands were sold at a median price of R2.672 million, almost R500 000 more than the previous year.
Click here to see all the sale and listing price trends in Clara Ana Fontein
Boschenmeer Golf Estate
At Boschenmeer Gold estate, the current median price of R5.4 million is up from R4.03 million the year before and, at award-winning Val de Vie, the 2020 median price of R6.825 million increased to R8.084 million.
Click here to see all the sale and listing price trends in Boschenmeer Golf Estate
Chris Cilliers, CEO and Co-Principal for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in the Winelands, says that there has been strong demand for estate homes across the board, from buyers with young families, as well as young professionals and retirees with a notable increase in upcountry queries.
“Topping buyers wish lists at the moment are secure properties within natural surroundings and away from congestion along with fresh air, nearby sources of wholesome foods and lots of space for exercise and leisure.
“The Winelands offers buyers the best of all worlds because, over and above, these key attractions, it’s also within easy driving distance of the city and the airport as well as a host of nearby attractions from beaches to vineyards.”
The West Coast has also been attracting considerably more interest and Atlantic Beach Golf Estate also achieved a record freehold median price last year when it increased to R5.388 million from R4.685 million in 2020 with sales spiking from 36 to 58.
Click here to see all the sale and listing price trends in West Coast
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