The tale of two MARKETS

THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, PROPERTY GURU DAVE JONES WILL GIVE US VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO TRENDS

AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UPPER HIGHWAY AREA

As a resident of the stocked in some categories. Upper Highway The “tale of two markets” in area since 1991, the Upper Highway area has two Dave is the proud distinct parts to it. The first part is parent of six that there is a brand new market children and grandparent to four. His called Apartment Living; a younger previous careers include education, market aimed at first-time buyers, industrial relations and human which focuses mainly on the subresource management, and he now million rand properties. This is seen has 18 years’ experience in real as a positive trend for the area, as estate – including six years as Seeff people who have grown up here can KZN Regional Manager. With practical also buy here. The second part is experience as a developer, Dave has the Traditional Second-hand Market, built 70 homes in secure estates and which itself is split into two distinct sold over 510 properties in the area – markets – that which is selling, and giving him an in-depth knowledge of that which is not. It has become a the market trends in our community. reality that in the traditional market,

Since returning to full-time work we are in a period that we call this month, Seeff Hillcrest and Kloof’s experience has been more than “business as normal” across all price ranges – with 13 sales in the first week of June alone. The Upper Highway area is fortunate that as a result of ongoing multi-faceted development, the sales tempo of number of sales made increased by 20% in 2019 compared to the previous year.

The market remains oversupplied in most price segments, and we are in a Buyer’s Market Phase. Buyers have more choice, and this creates ABOVE: Dave’s personal interests an opportunity for some aggressive include road running and a love of purchasing to take place. On the music, photography and cooking. other hand, sellers need to take He also enjoys riding his Triumph Bobber Motorcycle and indulging his care in pricing their property green thumb by maintaining his own correctly in a market which is overvegetable garden. Price Adjustment – where many properties coming on to the market now are coming on at 2015/2016 prices, if they are to be competitive due to high stock holding.

The downsizing trend as a reason for selling is strong, and this includes not only those who want something smaller in size, but also those who wish to downscale economically. The availability of stock, great values, excellent schooling and a more relaxed outdoor lifestyle makes the Outer West a targeted area for buyers. The industrial growth of Hammarsdale

There is a brand new market called Apartment Living; a younger market aimed at firsttime buyers

and Cato Ridge, due to the inland container terminal, will also positively impact the residential market. 40 ON ASSAGAY is one of Seeff’s latest boutique developments, with only 11 units boasting a modern open-plan design and a built capacity to live 90% off the grid – using purified borehole water and an up-to-date usage of a combination of gas and solar power for lights and the heating of water. Pet friendly, the 24-hour manned security development offers magnificent views and is a mere kilometre away from Hillcrest. All homes sold in the launch phase will receive a free uninterrupted power supply system valued at R70 000. * FOR MORE INFO 031 765 5326; www.seeff.com

ABOVE: Dave’s personal interests include road running and a love of music, photography and cooking. He also enjoys riding his Triumph Bobber Motorcycle and indulging his green thumb by maintaining his own vegetable garden.