Young buyers find 'value for money' in these trendy Joburg suburbs

With such a variety and so many homes to choose from, many young professionals in northern Johannesburg prefer to buy property in the suburbs of Paulshof and Sunninghill.

This three bedroom en-suite duplex unit in Sunninghill has an entertainment patio and private garden. It is on the market for R1.89 million - click here to view.

Both suburbs are centrally located close to major roads and highways, with amenities including places of worship and shopping centres, and easily accessible to areas such as Bryanston, Fourways, Midrand and Sandton.

“A high percentage of young professionals love these suburbs as they have a trendy vibe and are self-contained and secure. Over the years, Sunninghill has become cosmopolitan thus adding to its appeal to buyers,” say Pam Golding Properties area specialists, Aneshka Landman and Jean Bekink.

Sandra Gordon, Pam Golding Properties research and market analyst, says it is no surprise that Paulshof and Sunnnighill are preferred home locations for many young professionals. Gauteng emerged as the province with the highest number of first-time buyers thanks to its affordability, compared to the Western Cape in particular, according to Lightstone.

This two bedroom, one bathroom garden unit in Paulshof has a pet-friendly garden and communal pool, gym, squash court and creche. It is selling for R1.35 million - click here to view.

“Demand from buyers, the ability of these buyers to afford properties being sold and available stock are three key factors that drive any housing market. As market sentiment improves and buyer confidence rebounds, we are going to see areas such as these, among others in Gauteng, continue to see buyers coming onto the market - with those buying for the first time and others upscaling to bigger properties,” says Gordon.

Paulshof

Paulshof appeals to first-time buyers and professional, with a massive 53% of recent buyers under the age of 35 years and 47% of stable homeowners aged 36 to 49 years, according to Lightstone. Data also shows that in 2017, Paulshof recorded a median price of R2.36 million for a freehold home and R1.075 million for sectional title units.

“Entry-level homes are priced from R1.5 million for a three bedroom, two bathroom freestanding sectional title home with R4 million being the highest achieved price in the area over the past two years,” say Landman and Bekink.

This two bedroom en-suite duplex townhouse in Sunninghill Gardens has a covered entertainment patio and private garden. It is on the market for R1.599 million - click here to view.

The agents say there are new sectional title developments such as The Quails, Bacara and Greenwich Village, which attract mostly first-time buyers and those looking for a lock-up and go lifestyle. Homes in these developments are affordably priced, starting from under R1 million for one bedroom units at The Quails and Greenwich Village. Paulshof is home to Rietfontein Nature Reserve, the popular German Country Club and luxury car dealership, Porsche.

Sunninghill

“Although slightly higher priced than Paulshof, Sunninghill is also accessible with prices starting from R1.8 million for a freestanding sectional title home that has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with R5 million being the highest price achieved for a home over the past two years,” say Landman and Bekink.

This 130sqm two bedroom, two bathroom loft apartment in Paulshof is on the market for R1.3 million - click here to view.

In 2017, the median home price for a freehold home in Sunninghill was R2.2 million and R980 000 for a sectional title unit. Of the 234 apartments which were sold in 2017, 65% fell within the R800 000 to R1.5 million price category and sold at an average price of R1.055 million, according to Lightstone data.

Furthermore, 49% of recent buyers in Sunninghill were aged between 18 to 35 years, suggesting that the area is popular with first-time buyers, particularly given the relative affordability of property prices in the suburb.

“There have been a number of new young buyers looking to buy property, with some eyeing the sought-after Sunninghill Gardens because of its good security. “Here, the average price of a three bedroom, two bathroom home is between R3 million and R3.5 million, with renovated homes costing a bit more,” say the agents.

This one bedroom, one bathroom loft apartment in Sunninghill Gardens has a lounge area with balcony, as well as a spacious loft area plus balcony. It is in a complex with a pool and is selling for R999 000 - click here to view.

New sectional title developments such as The Edge located on the border of Sunninghill and Barbeque Downs offer modern and spacious executive apartments with three bedroom units priced below R1.3 million. Laguna, which is almost sold out, offers one bedroom units selling for R799 000 and three bedroom units priced at R1.289 million. As in Paulshof, these attract buyers looking for a secure lock-up and go lifestyle.

Sunninghill is home to Netcare Sunninghill Hospital as well as a number of businesses such as the Eskom head office.

This one bedroom, one bathroom apartment in Paulshof is in a complex with two communal pools, clubhouse, tennis court and gym. It is on the market for R1.1 million - click here to view.

Apart from young professionals, the agents say buyers in the suburbs include young families and retirees as these areas offer both convenient, hassle-free sectional title living and more spacious full title homes. Good schools in the area include Junior College Sunninghill, St Peter’s College, Sunninghill Park Nursery School and Rivonia Primary School, while shopping centres such as the recently revamped Cambridge Crossing Shopping Centre, Chilli Lane Shopping Centre and Sunninghill Village are right on their doorstep.

“Affordable prices compared to other suburbs within the Sandton region, security and central location will continue to attract young professionals to Paulshof and Sunninghill,” say Landman and Bekink.