Boland Sold 20140123

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Safety, natural beauty and excellent architectural design offer a happy lifestyle for everyone.

Spacious and convenient rooms with spectacular views wowed prospective buyers.

SOMERSET WEST: BUYERS LINE UP

Phase 1 of new R1.3 billion property development sells out in six weeks The first phase of The Summer Club, a R1.3 billion secure eco and lifestyle estate in Somerset West, has sold out within just six weeks of launching at prices between R650 000 and R1.3 million.

Construction has commenced and occupation of the first 114 apartments is expected at the end of 2014.

The estate enjoys an ideal location within Somerset West, being close to all essential amenities.

Mediclinic Vergelegen as well as other leading medical practices are located within close proximity to the estate.

In addition, a Curro Castle Nursery School and a convenience shopping centre, forming part of the

greater Summer Club development precinct, are also in the pipeline.

In keeping with the greenery of the Somerset West region, the developer has chosen to dedicate 40% of the estate’s 42 ha footprint to open, recreational and green space for its residents.

The green belt system includes 15 ha of landscaped parks, gardens, a natural forest with hiking trails and cycling tracks, and a 6 ha dam ideal for fishing, rowing, canoeing and windsurfing.

The three-storey building designed by award-winning architects Schabort Associates features ground-floor apartments with spacious gardens while all the apartments on the first and second floors

are cleverly designed with balconies.

The safety and security elements of the estate are enhanced by stateof-the-art features including biometric fingerprint access control, a high-spec electrified perimeter fence, high-definition perimeter surveillance cameras, 24-hour guarding and patrols, and a rapid internal response system.

The next phase is in planning and will be launched soon.

Prospective buyers should visit The Summer Club sales office on site and register now to secure their opportunity to invest. For any further information, please call the sales office on 021 202 2200 or email sales@thesummerclub.co.za.

Residents will feel close to nature.

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Districtmail 23 Januarie, 2014

SOLD HELDERBERG BOLAND

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Districtmail

SOLD HELDERBERG BOLAND

23 Januarie, 2014

Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland SOLD bied die grootste en maklikste toegang tot die mark vir eiendomkopers en -verkopers in die Boland.

021 841 4285

021 887 2840

021 870 4600

BOLAND SOLD

HELDERBERG

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Paarl Post

SOLD PAARL/WELLINGTON BOLAND

23 Januarie, 2014

Consider renovating before selling

In the current economic climate it is often better for homeowners not to sell their homes, but rather to consider upgrading and renovating as and when they have the spare cash.

Changes to your existing home can be done as and when it suits the homeowner’s budget and schedule, and can often be done without incurring severe financial strain.

This is according to Bill Rawson, Chairman of the Rawson Property Group, who says granted that today’s low interest rates make upgrading an apparently logical step forward, there can be occasions when this is

not the best move to make.

He says if the homeowner is at all unsure about his job prospects and could be made redundant, he should hold back on any further financial commitments.

He says even if this is not the case, serious consideration should be given to improving the existing home rather than moving elsewhere.

Rawson says the big problem about taking out a new bond, even if a substantial deposit is paid, is that it usually takes a long time, often as much as 20 years, to pay it off and in that time it is quite possible, even at today’s low interest rates, for the homeowner to pay twice the original

buying price by the end of the loan period.

He says for example, on a R1 million bond at 8,5% taken over 20 years, the borrower would pay just over R2 million in total – the interest paid being higher than the actual amount paid for the home.

“By contrast, the homeowner who pays for improvements from his monthly salary once every three or four years can add significantly to the home’s value without incurring any interest charges.”

Rawson quoted a Hout Bay home valued recently by the Rawson Property Group’s franchise for the area as an example.

Over the years the owner had converted the garage into a study, built a long front stoep, replaced three windows with French doors, put in skylights, aluminium guttering, a wooden floor in the living area, built a swimming pool, a more solid boundary fence and cultivated the garden to a point where it has become attractive.

All of these improvements, he says have been done without taking out an extra loan.

Such radical changes can add as much as 35 to 40% to the value of a home, which, as in this case, often has little architectural merit, he says.

“Today’s younger generation tend to see themselves as high flyers and this is a tendency that I find dangerous. It often leads to over-commitment and unhappiness among the family members. My advice to those people wishing to move up in the world is to examine carefully the potential for ongoing home upgrades.”

Rawson says as the architect Quentin Miller has said in a public statement, these changes can be done as and when it suits the homeowner’s budget and schedule and, while transforming the home can often be done without incurring severe financial strain.

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BOLAND SOLD

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23 Januarie, 2014

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Paarl Post

SOLD PAARL/WELLINGTON BOLAND

23 Januarie, 2014

You deserve the best when selling your home You’re ready to sell your property. And, while you’re looking forward to seeing the word “SOLD” posted on the curb, you know there’s a lot to consider along the way.

“One of your first decisions is to select a real estate company and real estate agent who’ll join you in the process” says Wayne Heidmann, team leader of Keller Williams Cape Town. “You deserve much more than a sign in the yard, flyers in a box and an occasional open house.

You deserve an agent who will be at your side from listing to closing, ensuring that your property sells easily and that you get the best possible price for your home.”

The Cape Town KW team will also assist you with the following: •Pricing your home strategically so you’re competitive with the current market and price trend; •Recommending staging strategies for your home to cast a positive light on the features most important to buyers;

•Optimising your home’s internet presence, including plenty of photo-

graphs and a description of your property; •Marketing your property’s availability via email, direct mail and through open houses to find prospective buyers; •Providing you with weekly updates detailing our marketing efforts.

“The local real estate market expertise of our KW team means we’re able to interpret all data that dictate the optimum pricing strategy, so your property will be priced to sell,” says Hei-

dmann.

“Every market is unique – from Johannesburg to Cape Town, the Northern Cape, the Western Cape and Port Elizabeth – so our marketing plans and staging strategies effectively target and attract your potential buyers. We dig deep to learn the unique selling points of your property and neighbourhood. It’s a formula for success. And, of course, we’ll take the time to listen, understand your challenges and goals, and answer any questions you may have along the way.”

BOLAND SOLD

STELLENBOSCH

Eikestadnuus 23 Januarie, 2014

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Eikestadnuus 23 Januarie, 2014

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BOLAND SOLD

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STELLENBOSCH

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Stronger house price growth predicted for 2014 While the average house price growth was nominally lower during 2013 than it was in 2012, the housing market is still moving in the right direction and prices are on an upward trend, says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/ MAX of Southern Africa.

“The fact is that property remains a solid asset class that continues to provide buyers with a good return over the long term – provided the correct purchasing principles are applied to the transaction.

“Although property prices are currently only seeing single-figure growth, the compound effect of the upward growth trend of property prices will positively impact on the homeowner’s net worth in the future,” says Goslett.

“Potential property buyers who are waiting in the wings and holding out for the next boom are losing valuable growth as property prices increase yearly.”

According to the FNB Property Barometer’s House Price Index released on 7 January 2014, the average house price growth rose by 6.8% in 2013, compared with the 7.1% seen during 2012.

“The important thing when looking at figures like this is that although the growth percentage may be lower than the

previous year, it is coming off the back of the previous positive growth. We have had two consecutive years of positive house price growth, which is remarkable considering that during the four years prior to 2012 the average real house price saw a decline. The positive growth points to the fact that the property market is moving in the right direction and showing an increased demand,” says Goslett.

Figures from the FNB Property Barometer state that the average price of homes transacted during 2013 was R891 976, compared with R835 480 in 2012. According to their data, these prices are way above the figures seen a decade ago, with the average real price for 2013 42.6% higher than the price seen in 2003. However, that said, the figure is still 18.5% lower than the price peak reached at the height of the boom in 2007. “This data reiterates the fact that property must be viewed as a long-term investment.

While homeowners who purchased their property a decade ago are seeing significant growth, those who purchased their property during the height of the boom are possibly still seeing a loss at the moment. However, those who are able to hold on to their property will recoup their losses and see returns on their

investment in the future,” says Goslett.

Although the house price growth during 2013 may have not have been as high as 2012, the property market last year showed other areas of improvement. For example, the demand-supply balance showed an increase, rising by 3% on the average market strength level for 2012. This could lead to an accelerated house price growth percentage during 2014, especially considering figures show that residential building activity slowed in 2013. This will, in essence, further close the gap between supply and demand.

“With demand for housing on the increase and a slow-down in building activity, more and more pressure will be placed on the current supply of property, which in turn will boost house prices. The increase in demand could be attributed to the fact that banks are relaxing their lending criteria, which has resulted in an increase in bond approvals in recent quarters,” says Goslett.

“With more buyers entering the market and lower numbers of properties available, we are likely to see a more competitive property market in 2014, which will be advantageous for those wanting to sell their homes this year,” he concludes.

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Eikestadnuus

SOLD STELLENBOSCH BOLAND

23 Januarie, 2014

Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland SOLD is die mees koste-effektiewe, hoë-impak keuse vir die bemarking van eiendom in die Boland

District Mail – 021 841 4266

Eikestadnuus – 021 887 2840

Paarl Post – 021 870 4600

23 JANUARIE

Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland

SOLD bied die grootste en maklikste toegang tot die mark vir eiendomkopers en -verkopers in die Boland.

021 841 4285

021 887 2840 021 870 4600

ALL WHEEL DRIVE: THE LEGEND RETURNS

All-new Subaru WRX STI makes international debut QUICKPIC

F

uji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, yesterday introduced the all-new 2015 WRX STI, Subaru’s iconic performance flagship model, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Powered by the legendary 225 kW 2.5F turbocharged Boxer® engine, the 2015 WRX STI debuts a new four-door wide-body design, built on a stiffer chassis for even greater handling agility and precision. The WRX STI provides a rally-bred drivetrain and allwheel drive handling that is unique to this model. Handling is enhanced with a stiffer chassis, firmer springs and faster steering (13.0:1 ratio).

New for the 2015 WRX STI, Active Torque Vectoring joins an arsenal of the model’s proven handling technologies, which include Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD) with Symmetrical AllWheel Drive™, Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control, and a Brembo® performance brake system with Super Sport ABS. The 2015 WRX STI carries its bold personality inside as well, where new Alcantara seating surfaces, accented by red and black leather bolsters and red stitching, set the tone for the upgraded and roomier cabin. A driver-focused interior remains integral to the WRX STI performance character, with the new model debuting a motorsport-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel and new whiplash-reducing performance-designed front seats with height and tilt-adjustable head restraints.

The 2015 WRX STI body structure makes greater use of high-tensile steel than the previous model and features special stiffening elements at key locations. The stiffer chassis helps yield a super-quick steering response that was benchmarked against top-handling sports cars. The 13.0:1 steering ratio provides a quick 2,5 turns lock-to-lock compared to 14.5:1 and 2,8 for the standard WRX model.

As on previous WRX STI models, the 2015 version uses an exclusive inverted-strut front suspension system that provides higher levels of cornering agility. Aluminium front lower L-arms reduce unsprung vehicle weight. The STI-tuned suspension teams up with standard 18-inch wheels and 245/40R18 performance tyres.

The 2015 WRX STI is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder Boxer® engine that employs a Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS). The engine, which is exclusive to the STI model, produces 225 kW at 6 000 rpm and 393 Nm of peak torque at 4 000 rpm.

The WRX STI engine is teamed exclusively with a specially reinforced 6-speed manual transmission. Incline Start Assist can momentarily prevent the car from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on an incline.

The Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) powertrain management system allows the driver to tailor the car’s driving characteristics by choosing from three selectable modes – “Intelligent,” “Sport” and “Sport Sharp” – using a rotary dial on the centre console.

SI-DRIVE alters vehicle performance char-

The 2015 WRX STI is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder Boxer® engine that employs a Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS).

PHOTO: QUICKPIC acteristics by regulating the engine control module and by fine-tuning the electronic throttle control system.

Subaru’s renowned safety package uses the brand’s proven Ring-Shaped Reinforcement™ frame body structure, which has been shown to excel in the new small overlap test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In the cabin, a driver’s knee airbag is added to the roster of safety features that includes front side pelvis/torso airbags and side curtain airbags that offer front and rear outboard seat coverage.

The all-new WRX STI will participate in the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race (19-22 June 2014) for the seventh consecutive year, the new vehicle benefiting from development honed at the famous German race track. The STI will be aiming for its third victory in the SP3T class this year, following the previous win in 2012. Through participation in this race, which demands speed and stability along with endurance and reliability, Subaru stands to gain further engineering advantages, which will filter through into its road vehicles. As in 2013, Hideharu Tatsumi will take responsibility for team operations as Team Manager, along with responsibility for vehicle development. Two European drivers will be joined by Japanese drivers Toshihiro Yoshida and Kouta Sasaki.

Subaru Southern Africa marketing manager, Ashley Lazarus, comments: “The allnew Subaru WRX STI subscribes to the hallmarks of Subaru performance and excitement, the new vehicle exhibiting classic and trademark Subaru design and performance elements to once again create a hero in our range of performance-oriented vehicles. The all-new STI will be retailed in South Africa in limited numbers, the launch date of which will be confirmed later in 2014, together with local model specifications and pricing.”

BOLAND SOLD

AUTO

Donderdag

23 Januarie, 2014

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Mercedes-Benz C300 Edition C: the old tricks HANJO STIER Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Perhaps I should be careful here as the dog in this instance is the popular MercedesBenz C-Class and the trick would be their Edition C model. So before I answer my own question, let’s examine this latest offer from the world’s favourite luxury automobile brand.

The C-Class is far from a dog to look at or drive. Have a good stare around you in traffic and the impressive quantity of C-Classes will confirm how many people chose it.

Even better, there are tons of models from the previous and the previous-previous generation still gracefully wafting about.

The favoured Mercedes sedan is classy, pretty and hardy. This current one is also nearing the end of its lifespan, which is where the Edition C trick comes in. Trick is actually a nasty word, so let’s call it a “persuasion” to get more people into the firm, but comfortable seats.

Sales of the internally-known W204 range are starting to drop off for a few good reasons. Main rivals Audi and BMW both have newer products and the next generation CClass should be here in a year or so. It’s only natural that buyers look elsewhere and/or wait for the new one to arrive.

Or is it? Yes, I’ll admit that the C-Class isn’t on the same page as its refurbished rivals, but after driving it for a week that didn’t

Derived from the C350’s latest-generation 225 kW motor, this engine may also be a swansong of naturally breathing, meaty V6’s before Merc sticks a turbocharger on each cylinder bank.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC bother me the slightest bit. Part of that was probably the work of the Edition C package, which comprises AMG and Avantgarde styling as well as the 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox.

Another fact to consider is that this model is at the peak of its life.

It’s had a facelift and all niggles are ironed out by now, so you’ll be buy-

ing a highly accomplished car. My folks have inadvertently done that a few times and never regretted it, also because you get a better deal and more freebies (e.g. Edition C).

Mercedes-Benz South Africa extends the Edition C offer to other models, such as the popular C180; and the most bespoke model is our C300 test unit with a 3.5 F 24-valve

petrol V6, sporting 185 kW or 340 Nm. Derived from the C350’s latestgeneration 225 kW motor, this engine may also be a swansong of naturally breathing, meaty V6’s before Merc sticks a turbocharger on each cylinder bank. And just like its donor engine, this one has a lovely deep growl as it digs into low-rev

torque, but will also yell to almost 7 000 rpm.

Claimed fuel consumption is 8,7F/100km, which seems spot-on.

Around town with start/stop system it’ll drink about ten, but cruising just below the national speed limit, our C300 Edition C approached seven. We heard a bit of wind noise from the square-ish mirrors and those good-looking five-spoke low-profile wheels rumble a bit.

They also make the ride slightly harsh over rutted surfaces, but provide heaps of grip. Many attempts at breaking the Merc’s composure failed, it has slightly vague steering, a bit of body roll and a lacklustre gearbox, but still leaves enough excitement for an enthusiastic journey up or around a mountain.

Obviously you also get a full range of safety and comfort features, the C300 Edition C distinguishing itself by a media interface, rear seat through-load, Artico leather and alcantara trim with blue stitching. The fantastic Intelligent Light system and a full 6year/120 000 km maintenance plan are also included in the price of R499 443.

If you’re in the market for a Merc and tempted by this car, I have a suggestion. Buy an Edition C now and put your name on the waiting list for the next C-Class. Once that arrives you can trade this one in and I’m sure you’ll get a good price for it. After all, it’s a C-Class with lots of special bits on it. Good dog, great trick.

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Donderdag

23 Januarie, 2014

SOLD AUTO BOLAND

BOLAND SOLD

AUTO

Donderdag

23 Januarie, 2014

De Villiers en Von Zitzewitz wen laaste dag QUICKPIC Giniel de Villiers en Dirk von Zitzewitz (Toyota Imperial Hilux) het Saterdag die 13e en laaste sneltrajek van die 2014-Dakarveldtydren in Suid-Amerika gewen. Hulle is by die eindpunt in die Chileaanse hawestad Valparaiso in die vierde plek algeheel bevestig ná die marathon-ren deur Argentinië en Chile, wat op 5 Januarie in Rosario begin en altesaam 9 500 kilometer behels het.

Die 2009-Dakar-kampioene het die T1.1-klas vir omgeboude petrolaangedrewe 4x4-veldrenvoertuie die derde jaar ná mekaar gewen, nadat hulle in 2012 derde en in 2013 tweede in hul trots Suid-Afrikaanse Hilux 4x4’s was.

Hul spanmaats, Leeroy Poulter en Rob Howie, het hul oornagposisie van 36e verbeter deur die sneltrajek oor 157 km tussen La Serena en Valparaiso in die 12e plek te voltooi. Hulle het Poulter se eerste Dakar-byeenkoms in ’n kredietwaardige 33e plek algeheel afgesluit.

Vier ander Hilux 4x4’s van SuidAfrikaanse herkoms het onder die voorste 25 geëindig. Die Poolse jaers Marek Dabrowski en Jacek Czachor van die Belgiese Overdrive-span was sewende, hul makkers Adam Malysz en Rafal Marton was 13e, en Aidyn Rakhambayev en Vladimir Demyanenko van Kazakstan was 17e. Die Suid-Afrikaanse private jaers, Thomas Rundle en Juan Mohr, het ’n indrukwekkende 25e plek in hul eerste Dakar in die gewese De Villiers/Von Zitzewitz-Hilux wat in verlede jaar se ren tweede was, beklink.

Giniel de Villiers en sy spanmaat Dirk von Zitzewitz ry hier bo-oor die podium tydens die laaste dag van die Dakar-veldwedren.

FOTO: QUICKPIC Die Overdrive-Toyotas was tweede, derde en vyfde in die T1.1-klas terwyl Rundle en Poulter onderskeidelik agtste en 13e was.

Die Spaanse jaer Nani Roma en sy Franse navigator, Michel Perin (Mini), het die ren met 5 min 38 sek voor hul spanmaats, die verdedigende kampioene Stéphane Peterhansel en Jean Paul Cottret van Frankryk, en 56 min 52 sek voor die oudkampioene Nasser Al-Attiyah van Qatar en sy Spaanse navigator, Lucas Cruz, gewen. De Villiers en Von Zitzewitz was 1 uur 19 min en 7 sek agter die wenners en 8 min 37 sek voor die Argentynse jaer Orlando Terranova en sy Portugese navigator, Paulo Fiuza

(Mini).

“Dit voel altyd goed om dié ren te voltooi. Dit is die langste en moeilikste motorren ter wêreld, en vanjaar se weergawe was die moeilikste wat ons tot dusver nog in Suid-Amerika gehad het,” het De Villiers gesê.

“Dit is teleurstellend dat ons nie weer op die podium is nie, maar ons moet realisties wees. Ons het ons bes gedoen, maar kon net nie by die verrigting van die Mini’s bly nie – veral nie op die groot hoogtes bo seevlak waar dele van die roete ons geneem het nie. Ons het aan die begin te veel tyd met ons probleme met die hidrouliese stelsels verloor. Dit is in ’n ren wat só moeilik as vanjaar s’n

was, onmoontlik om verlore tyd in te haal.

“Ek wil my span bedank vir die skitterende werk wat hulle gedoen het. Ons het weereens bewys dat die Hilux betroubaar is en sal terug in Suid-Afrika werk daarvan gaan maak om ons voertuig se verrigting nog verder te verbeter en aanstaande jaar beter doen. Ek wil ook Nani, Stéphane en Nasser gelukwens – hulle het daarin geslaag om hul posisies in die algehele uitslag te behou.”

Glyn Hall: “Ons moet onder die omstandighede baie tevrede wees met die feit dat altwee voertuie die eindpunt gehaal het, en dat Giniel en Dirk een van die voorste vier oor die

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wenstreep is. Hulle moet na die reëls kyk – ons is nie op gelyke voet wat verrigting betref nie, aangesien ons die nouste lugbeperker van die voorjaers het. Dit was goed dat ons die laaste sneltrajek gewen het – dit was Giniel se 14e sneltrajek-oorwinning – en is ’n goeie manier om die ren, wat uiteindelik ’n baie uitdagende twee weke was, af te sluit. Leeroy het bewys dat hy die spoed het om ’n toekomstige aanspraakmaker te wees en hy sal groot munt slaan uit die ervaring wat hy in hierdie ren, wat die moeilikste was sedert die byeenkoms vyf jaar gelede van Afrika na Suid-Amerika verskuif het, opgedoen het.” ’n Gelukkige Poulter het by die eindpunt gesê hy is baie in sy noppies. “Om sneltrajek 3 in Argentinië te wen, was ’n hoogtepunt – net soos dit is om die Dakar in my eerste probeerslag te voltooi,” het hy gesê toe hy en Howie, wat aan sy derde Dakar deelgeneem het, hulle voorberei het om tot by die seremoniële podium voor derduisende aanhangers in ’n feestelike atmosfeer by die Plaza Sotomayor te ry.

“Ons was net ’n paar nagte gelede nog in die woestyn gestrand terwyl ons op ons ondersteuningsvragmotor gewag het. Ons het gedink dit was neusie verby. Ons het eers twee-uur die oggend by die oornaghalte aangekom en moes sewe-uur weer vir die volgende sneltrajek gereed wees.

Ons het sedertdien telkens ver agter weggespring en moes in die stof agter die stadiger motors en vragmotors aansukkel. Dit was ’n taai leerervaring, maar ek het nou ’n baie beter idee waaroor hierdie ren eintlik gaan en sal aanstaande jaar baie beter voorbereid wees

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Donderdag

23 Januarie, 2014

SOLD AUTO BOLAND