KwaZulu-Natal

A broad range of properties is available in the province, to suit any pocket, from upmarket Umhlanga to affordable Pietermaritzburg

Amanzimtoti

A BUDGET of R1.5m can buy you a range of properties in aManzimtoti , from two-bedroom beach-front apartments to three-bedroom properties on large erfs, says Lee Greeff, franchisee of Just Property aManzimtoti .

“The town is well positioned, just a 20-minute drive from Durban, making it an attractive place for those looking for well-priced coastal properties close to the city.

“aManzimtoti attracts investors who want to take advantage of either holiday lets or the permanent rental market.

“The area ticks all the boxes: value for money, prime coastal properties, close to good schools, hospitals, retail and industrial spaces.”

Jo Giraudeau, operations manager for Seeff KZN Mid-South Coast, says you can buy a three-bedroom townhouse for R1.5m.

“aManzimtoti has lovely beaches and living here is like being on permanent holiday, even though you are close to all the amenities and benefits of a big city.”

Laguna La Crete, near Uvongo PICTURE: Rawson Properties Hibiscus Coast

Hibiscus Coast

FOR R1.5m you could buy a spacious three-bedroom or four-bedroom home along the lower KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, says Friedhold Redinger of Rawson Properties Hibiscus Coast Uvongo.

This 80km stretch of coast is made up of many different suburbs. The main business administration centre is Port Shepstone and the popular holiday areas in the region are Umzumbe, Uvongo, Margate and Marina Beach, while the upmarket suburbs include Ramsgate, Southbroom and Umtentweni.

The nearby shopping hub is Shelly Beach. A sectional title unit in a popular holiday resort of Laguna La Crete, which offers residents two tennis courts, two swimming pools and easy access to Uvongo beach, is on the market for R1.495m, Redinger says.

In Ramsgate, a four-bedroom house with two bathrooms, a double garage and an entertainment area was sold for R1.52m.

Pietermaritzburg

AGENTS at Re/Max Midlands say Pietermaritzburg has an active residential property market. It offers great schools, easy access to the coast and the Drakensberg, and is well served by shopping centres.

In Wembley, one can pick up a three-bedroom townhouse with two bathrooms and a garage for R1.495m.

You could also buy a four-bedroom house in Pelham for R1.498m or a retirement unit in Howick for R1.295m.

Pietermaritzburg PICTURE: Re/Max Midlands

Umhlanga

BUYERS with a budget of R1.5m will be able to purchase only apartment-type properties in Umhlanga, says Desiree Bedhasie, area specialist for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty. These will mostly be available in New Town and Umhlanga Ridge and range from studios to two-bedroom units.

“In New Town and uMhlanga Ridge facilities differ depending on the price. Some developments have gyms, communal braai areas, gardens or pools. Some just have apartments, with open or undercover parking.”

Bedhasie says apartment sizes are:

• Bachelor pads around 44m².

• One bedroom around 55m².

• Two bedrooms around 60m². Prices per m² are:

• Modern and closer to the beach front –R35000 to R40000.

• Older block – R25000 to R35000 (if renovated).

• On the Ridge/ New Town – R20000 to R26000 (all these are fairly new units).

uMhlanga PICTURE: Lee Geffen Sotheby’s Umhlanga

Berea – Morningside

ROGER Hoaten, licensee for Seeff Berea, says R1.5m will buy a one-to-three-bedroom apartment in the trendy suburb of Morningside in the sought-after Berea area.

“With its gorgeous green spaces and breath-taking views of Durban and the Indian Ocean, Morningside is one of Durban’s best-loved suburbs. It is predominantly a residential area, with Florida Road and Lillian Ngoyi Road providing bustling hubs of activity for residents to enjoy. It is a suburb in which beautiful historic homes have been transformed into restaurants, coffee shops and small businesses.”

The area is well maintained and popular for rentals as well, he says.

Essenwood PICTURE: Seeff Berea