There has definitely been more interest - but the demand for lifestyle farms is currently driven predominantly by the domestic market, which has been boosted by the Covid Pandemic and a desire by people to move to more inspiring surroundings.
While foreign buyers, mostly from the UK and Germany are usually keen on lifestyle farms across the Karoo and Overberg, demand has been slow as a result of the pandemic, says Ian Badenhorst, managing director for Seeff Country and Karoo.
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Locally though, he says lifestyle farms are in high demand because it offers the quintessential African experience. You get to escape to the tranquillity of country life without the commercial stresses of actually being a farmer and needing to make a living off the land. That said, investing in a lifestyle farm does offer plenty of commercial opportunities. They are ideal for developing tourism products such as guest house facilities or event guest cottages and you can theme the getaway according to what the area offers, for example a great Karoo escape and so on.
'Boutique vineyards and olive groves'
Many of the farms also offer the opportunity to produce on a small-scale basis, you might for example be able to cultivate your own vineyards or olive groves, or you might be able to bottle your own wine or olives under your own boutique brand, the possibilities are endless.
"You can rent out part of the property or cottages to weekenders and holidaymakers or if you only have a house on the farm, you could rent it out when not needed for own use, he adds.
In terms of location, there is plenty to choose from. The Cape country areas are extremely popular for their location and stunning scenery and close proximity to Cape Town. The established tourism routes also make these a popular choice, from the Boland and Winelands to the Overberg, Karoo and beyond. The countryside offers a healthy climate and fabulous, laid-back country lifestyle with clean air, tranquillity and no stress, says Badenhorst.
The farms are often located relatively close to a town with good infrastructure and amenities. Each area has its own unique attractions and there are often nature reserves or protected areas close by.
Popular areas include:
Riversdale is located in the Southern Cape at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, close to the towns of Still Bay and Witsand and is renowned for the abundance of fynbos and stunning scenery. Lifestyle farms have lost none of its appeal, in fact buyers are keener than ever for the Riversdale area, says Willie Janse Van Rensburg, an agent with Seeff Riversdale.
"The most popular price band is between R3 million to R6 million and buyers are generally from upcountry areas looking to escape the stress of growing cities."
Sonja Claassen, an agent with Seeff Ladismith says affordability has been a strong driver of demand in the Ladismith area with lifestyle farms selling from as little as R1 million to R2.5 million.
Ladismith is located in the Karoo on the popular Route 62 tourist route, about 300kms from Cape Town. It lies in the shadow of the Towerkop Mountain peak and is a fertile farming area with a lot of tourist attractions including hiking trails.
One of the reasons why people buy in the area is the safety and access to good amenities. Buyers tend to be older, generally in the 40-60 years’ age group heading towards retirement, notes Claassen.
Albertina
Christine Janse van Rensburg says Albertina is another popular area which offers affordability with lifestyle farms selling from around R2 million to R5 million.
Albertina is a pretty Karoo town at the foot of the Langeberg Mountain range and renowned for its Aloe. Market demand is being driven by buyers looking for peace and quiet and a healthy lifestyle on offer, with many looking to even keep a few animals.
Boland, Cape Winelands and Riebeek Valley
Here too, Pierre Germishuys, managing director for Seeff Boland and Winelands, says demand for lifestyle farms has received a boost from the Covid Pandemic which is driving people away from the rigidity of the concrete jungle and city living to the countryside.
The Boland/Winelands area is particularly popular for the close proximity to Cape Town and wine and tourist routes which means that there is always the opportunity to develop your lifestyle farm into a tourism products or a guest house or even rent it out when not needed for own use.
Lifestyle farms are also popular with semigration buyers, especially those close to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch and often for families as well as retirees in addition to being popular as second homes/weekend getaways.
Towns such as Paarl and Stellenbosch offer sought-after schools and lifestyle farms that are ideal for pets, and animal and horse lovers with plenty of horse-riding trails, hiking and cycling trails across the areas.
Tulbagh, Wolseley and surrounds
There is usually a lot of foreign interest, but this has quietened down in view of the Covid Lockdowns. Most buyers are currently from Cape Town or Gauteng, says Nelia Retief, an agent with Seeff Winelands.
"The Tulbagh, Wolseley and Breede River areas are also extremely popular for lifestyle farms. The nature, views and opportunities are a big attraction, and the prices compare to buying a house on a small plot of land in an urban area. For buyers who want space, views, water and mountain areas, our areas are ideal," notes Retief.
Lifestyle farms sell for between R3 million to R12 million depending on the location and what is on offer.
Oudtshoorn and surrounds
Most buyers here are older people looking to retire from the busy and hectic life in cities, usually from the north. Also, people who, as a result of different reasons now work from home, says Johan Gerber, an agent for Seeff across the Garden Route and Southern Cape
The Klein Karoo area between the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains are extremely popular for lifestyle farms which sell from as little as R400 000 to R3.5 million.
Buyers in the most cases, look for property out of town in a peaceful, secluded area with beautiful views, water streams and green pastures.
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