Letter from the editor

A YEAR ago, we featured a magnificent Fresnaye home in our Home Improver magazine.

What attracted me to the home, and why we featured it,was its easy indoor/outdoor flow and feel, and it worked well for our summer-themed magazine.When I chatted to estate agent Lance Cohen recently he told me about a R160 million home he had just sold. We put two and two together and found it was the same house.

It’s heartening to see luxury property still moving – and a home in Cape Town fetching such a high figure.

During the worst of Covid,it was this market that suffered most, so seeing it reignite is a positive indicator for the sector.

Of course, we live in a country of contrasts, and it would be remiss, as we feature mansions such as this, not to mention that, in spite of low interest rates, there are many who are unable to step on to the property ladder even at the lowest end of the market.

For many, the luxury property market is aspirational – or merely a dream.

A friend recently sold her mansion on the Atlantic Seaboard and there were many tears as she said goodbye to the idyllic life of beautiful ocean views, perfect weather and a home that had it all.

She and her partner have moved to a small apartment in London (and not SW1) for work reasons, among others.

As soon as the house sold,she started looking to buy a lock-up-and-go for holidays.

It seems South Africans living abroad still want to have a piece of home and so they, including my friend, make up a big portion of those who are buying luxury homes to use for holidays.

Whatever end of the market you’re at, happy buying!

Warm regards

Vivian Warby vivian.warby@inl.co.za