Hermanus | Easter Edition 2019
AUTHENTIC HOMES THAT INSPIRE
Busy, but selective property market Design - Bathroom Inspiration ‘Explosive’ Neighbourhood
www.seeff.com
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exclusive proper es
BENGUELA| FISHERHAVEN | VERMONT | ONRUS | SANDBAAI | HERMANUS | VOËLKLIP
“With more than half a century of expertise in buying and selling properties, we understand it is more than just a transaction - this is your story - and we are honoured to write this chapter with you.� -Samuel Seeff
Busy, but selective property market
Published by The Village NEWS PUBLISHER De Waal Steyn
While we wait for the conclusion of the May elections and the economy to take the positive turn that we are all anticipating, it would be remiss not to continue cautioning that economic and property-market recovery will take time. The renewed Eskom crisis has again reminded us that the economic and governance challenges are d e e p e r t h a n a n t i c i p a te d w h e n P re s i d e n t Ramaphosa took the reins last year. Although the GDP growth outlook for the year is positive - at around 1,3% - the renewed energy crisis and rising costs, most notably that of fuel and the effective 13.82% Nersa-approved electricity hike will no doubt impact growth in the first quarter. This translates to a somewhat muted property market which, while active below R1,5 million (R3 million in the upper income areas), continues to put pressure on sellers and asking prices. The FNB Price Index shows that price growth has declined to 3.7% down from 4% in January and 3.9% for 2018. Along with that, a deteriorating demandsupply balance point to an increasingly favourable market for buyers.
COVER Erlo Brown PHOTOGRAPHY
At the same time, we continue seeing a positive mortgage-lending landscape which, combined with the flat interest rate, further supports the buying conditions. For buyers still undecided or sitting on the fence, it may well be a good time to buy, provided they are able to find good value. What are the implications for the market? All important is a focus on asking prices, especially at the higher-price levels where we see a discretionary market in operation. In a climate of fewer buyers and notably more properties to choose from, serious sellers need to focus on listing with credible agents who will give you the best advice, rather than waste your time with high-price promises.
EDITORS Olivia Schaffer CONTRIBUTORS Niël Stemmet Anna Celliers
While the rental market is seeing slightly better growth at around 4.14% for the last quarter of 2018 according to the PayProp Rental Index, this is down from 5.39% in 2017. The index shows that the consumer rent-to-income ratio is under pressure. In such a climate, looking after good tenants should top looking for quick wins with high rentals. We remain of the view that the property market will remain flat, trading largely sideways for the first half of the year, and current market and economic indicators continue to support that view. There is a market for serious sellers, but you need to adjust to your local market trends as we are seeing an increasing number of sellers having to drop their asking prices to conclude a deal.
Samuel Seeff Chairman, Seeff
DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION: Nickey Jackson Susan McCarthy
QUOTE: “With demand and average price growth weakening further according to the latest FNB Price Index, market conditions are increasingly favourable for buyers. This is accentuated by the flat interest rate and positive mortgage lending landscape.”
ON THE COVER 1 Turtle Close Vermont Web ref: 3428558 Zelda Nel
060 070 1935
DESIGN
Bathroom Inspiration
NiĂŤl Stemmet Koncept Design 082 373 3837
LESS Simplicit y of Spanish Metro tiles used for surface and splash back
IS MORE
The combination of cement, beach pebbles, white floors, white metro tiles and a white pendant is timeless
White Polyurethane floors, open shelves and frosted floor to ceiling glass allow light and create privacy
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Paper mache ‘bowls’ as objects d’art
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CAPTIVATING CHARACTER AND SOUL
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xclusive Sole Mandate. This bespoke, designer, French barnstyle home is breath-taking. It astounds with character and soul. The reclaimed Argentinian teak shutters and windows create a home that encapsulates the essence of authenticity. The doublevolume entertainment area with valley board ceilings open to a lowmaintenance, indigenous, mature garden with a fire pit for spending many happy hours with family or friends. The house is elevated so it offers views of the mountains from the generously-sized, covered patio. A thick, solid teak beam - formerly from an old church - becomes a mantelpiece for the indoor, open, wood fireplace in the entertainment area. Most doors and windows are recycled. The flooring of this home is highly-polished, cement screed and the walls are low-maintenance, exposed, cement-washed brick. The main bedroom has a Victorian metal ball-and-claw bath fitted with Victorian brass taps. The bedroom has its own private, enclosed courtyard with outdoor shower area overlooking the Overberg Mountains. The bathrooms are fitted with vintage, porcelain hand basins. The large, double garage has plumbing for a washing machine and dryer. Good security includes outdoor cameras linked to armed response for peace of mind. The little village of Vermont is usually spoken of in the same breath as its immediate neighbour, Onrus. These two villages border each other on the green belts that are home to the endemic fynbos and prolific bird life in this area. Vermont is derived from the French words ‘mont vert’ - meaning ‘green mountain’. Vermont is primarily a holiday village although many young people have, in recent years, moved here permanently to enjoy the peace and tranquillity. The area is also perfect for older buyers looking for a slower pace during their golden years. A beautiful coastal path meanders from Onrus along the coastline through to the magnificent sand dunes at Brekvisbaai (Breakfast Bay), one of the most unspoilt, quaint beaches in the area - and a perfect spot for an early, outdoor breakfast; or take a picnic and watch the sun go down. The Vermont Salt Pan is a seasonal ecologically-sensitive area teeming with bird life, including magnificent flamingos which make an amazing backdrop when in flight against the majestic mountains.
PRICE: R3 295 000 WWW.SEEFF.COM WEB REF: 3428558 FEATURES: 3 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS PROPERTY SIZE: 167m2 | BUILDING SIZE: 600m2 AGENT: ZELDA NEL EMAIL: zelda.nel@seeff.com CONTACT: [O] +27 028 316 3171 | 060 070 1935
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wards & Achievements Annual Country Awards 2019 - many of our agents were recognised for exceptional performance at this prestigious award ceremony. Samuel Seeff presented the following awards: Irma Herbst Samuel Seeff’s Chairmans Award 2019 Lifetime Achiever Status Top Onrus/Vermont Branch Agent #1 Position Regional Rand Value #6 Position Regional for Units #5 Position National for Rand Value
Amelia van der Merwe Solitaire Achiever Status Top Hermanus Branch Agent #4 Position Regional Rand Value
Sherry du Plessis Solitaire Achiever Status #8 Position Regional Rand Value
Elmar van Tonder Solitaire Achiever Status #1 Position Top Dev Agent Regional Rand Value #3 Position Top Dev Agent Regional Units #2 Position Top Dev Agent National Rand Value #5 Position Top Dev Agent National Units #10 Position Regional Units and Rand Value
Corné Visagie Private Property Award Cisca de Vries Rookie of the Year runner up - Rentals
Annali Durr & Lynda Terblanché #2 Top Agricultural Agent - Region Rand Value and Units #2 Top Agricultural Agent - National Rand Value and Units #2 Partnership Regional - Rand Value
Sinet Vogel & Corné Visagie Top Sandbaai Branch Agents #4 Position Regional Partnership Rand Value #4 Position Regional Partnership Units
Simoné Visagie Administrator of the Year - Sales
Esté du Preez & Verona Drinkwater #5 Position Partnership Regional Units
Sanet Nel Administrator of the Year - Rentals
Karin Engelbrecht Platinum Achiever Status #5 Position Regional Rand Value
Jodi Josephs #3 Position Regional Rand Value #8 Position Regional Units
Mina Naude Smart Academy Award
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'Explosive' neighbourhood! We often do not realise that we might be neighbourhood pests. – By ANNA CELLIERS & ANONYMOUS (The Gardener/Die Tuinier)
M
oving to a new house is difficult. I think the stress levels of packing up and moving on - can easily be compared to that of a stoned American GI in the landmine-infested rice paddies in the Vietnam War. You empty your boxes, hang your pictures on the wall, water the half-dead lawn, console the kids who are scared of their new bedrooms, and pray earnestly that the dogs do not find an escape route through a new gate to bite somebody in the street. Unless a neighbour immediately comes running with a tuna casserole to say hello, one tends to ignore them at first. You get to know their cats, dogs and parrots long before them. Then, an anonymous letter lands in your post box... “Dear neighbours, Allow me to introduce myself and my family. I only have 40% hearing in one ear (the other one works 100%). My ear was damaged while doing my national service as an explosive expert in the early nineties. My wife has excellent hearing equatable to that of the Greater Wax Moth – she can easily hear and eavesdrop on any conversation from 1km away. We also have two little girls aged four and six who suffer from selective hearing syndrome, so typical of middle-aged women and kids under 18. Other than that, we are fairly normal and have been living quite comfortably in our little house for the past 10 years. We really welcomed your moving into our neighbourhood, as your house was previously occupied by rare specimens with bad taste in music and irregular working hours. In yourselves, we saw a
nice family, also encumbered by the daily pressures of rearing small children and keeping to a tight budget in these hard economic times. Little did we know that your family also includes two little barking dogs. Unfortunately they reach a decibel level where my wife’s hearing is at its most sensitive, which has an effect on her mood. This, in turn, has a direct effect on my mood. Then, there is also the problem with my kids who are barked awake at night or early morning, who then wake my wife, who in turn wakes me. I am lucky in the sense that my hearing problem allows me to sleep peacefully on my working ear, while the deaf one, blocks out most of the irritating noise. When I am woken up, I usually turn the TV to a level of about 130 decibels (equal to the sound of an industrial angle grinder) or - I place myself into a deep hypnotic phase with the help of some strong Scotch whiskey. This combination, unfortunately, has a snowball effect causing my wife to stop all forms of communication with me. If there is one thing that I hate more than a yapping dog, it is a wife staging a cold war with her lips tightly shut! Before you start thinking that I am just a moaner, I have to assure you that I am a very pragmatic individual who does not see problems, but rather challenges. Herewith a list of actions which my family and I have already taken to meet this challenge: • We got rid of the kids’ two cats, thinking it might be them that irritate your doggies. The kids missed ‘Milk’ and ‘Shake’ terribly and cried continuously for a week, but they seem okay now.
We got them two goldfish called ‘Surf’ and ‘Turf’ and they seem to have adjust well. • My hearing problem can be fixed, but I have postponed my surgery because, at the moment, it is my only defence against the barking and my wife’s complaining. • My wife and I are busy with an online course in meditation and are seeing a witch doctor. • The family is now taking sleeping tablets and we are also sleeping in the garage on the other side of our house. I allow my motor bike to idle throughout the night - as the exhaust fumes and the rhythmic beat also helps to make us sleepy and that leads to a deep slumber. • Grandpa also lives with us, but he is immune to any form of sleep medication. We have to shoot him every third night with an arrow gun containing a strong sedative. The kids miss their grandpa because he is now only awake twice a week. None of these solutions, however, are sustainable and some have actually involved child welfare. My neighbours, in turn, are also complaining about the nightly noise of my idling bike. We had to think of alternatives which include: • To create a small explosion (I know how to do it) to bring my whole family’s hearing ability down to 40% • To sell our house and to move to Devil’s Rest (although I am not 100% sure where it is) Contact me if you have different solutions or come and have a glass of wine to discuss this matter further.” Conclusion: This is definitely a matter that needs a lot of wine!