Property Pages LIVE YOUR DREAM IN THE WINELANDS
MODERNITY MEETS
PEACEFUL LIVING www.seeff.com
Cover Property on page 2
Winelands | Summer 2018/2019
SAMUEL SEEFF
SELL WHILE YOU CAN
THE WEAK ECONOMY FAVOURS BUYERS Summer tends to bring renewed enthusiasm for property, and the good news for buyers is that it is a great time to find good value in the market. But, for those looking to transact over the coming months, it is important to note that we are generally still seeing the outlook for the property market as flat with conditions favouring buyers.
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ith the economic growth outlook remaining well below expectation, the banks have signalled an expectation that the buyers' market conditions will remain well into the early part of 2019. Given the continued weak economic outlook and pressure on inflation due to the petrol price and other cost hikes along with the challenges faced by the rand against major currencies, the expectation is also that the South African Reserve Bank will likely step up an interest rate hiking cycle, possibly as early as November. A recent FNB House Price Index shows that house price growth continues to slow, standing at around 3.5% which, when adjusted for inflation, actually shows a mild decline. At the same time, some 93% of sellers have had to drop their price to conclude a sale. The average time that it takes to sell a property continued to weaken to almost 18 weeks (over four months).
That said, the arrival of summer always brings renewed hope of a busier selling season, especially in the high demand areas with good access to schools and business nodes. The summer tends to bring more visitors to show houses, and while mindful of the challenges facing the market, there are always selling opportunities for serious sellers. Despite the challenges, the banks are still reporting a positive lending landscape, and even at a slightly higher interest rate, it will still be at some of the lowest levels compared to the past three decades. It is a good time to buy, and we believe that serious buyers will take advantage of the opportunities offered by the current market. Sellers need to remain mindful of the market challenges and guard against overpricing as this will simply deter buyers. If you are serious about selling, then you need to put your property on the market at a realistic asking price. At the same time, you should consider all
serious offers. The challenging market conditions have led to a flurry of new market entrants offering various forms of reduced fees and commission aimed at securing business in a tough market. In reality, these offer nothing new and nothing more than existing real estate brands who have stood the test of time and weathered the many ups and downs of the economy and property market. Real estate agents continue to play a pivotal role in a challenging market and still sell significantly more real estate than any online
or so-called disruptor brands. Selling property is a significant, stressful and challenging transaction. Your agent is a skilled and experienced professional and problem-solver who brings vital insight and advice on how to navigate the current market challenges. Regardless of technological advances, people still make the difference. SAMUEL SEEFF Chairman Seeff Property Group
“Home is our Story, so be sure to start your next chapter with us.” – Samuel Seeff
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C E R E S G O L F E S TAT E
R8.99 MILLION EAGLE’S REST
Ceres is named after the Roman goddess of fruitfulness, and it is in the centre of one of the most important deciduous fruit producing areas in the Western Cape. A mere 90-minute drive from Cape Town, the town is situated in a fertile valley surrounded by mountains, which shelter it completely from the south-easterly wind in summer.
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his architect-designed, modern and spacious home is cleverly built on a double plot on the newly developed Ceres Golf Estate’s phase one. All the houses in the Estate will be built in the contemporary Cape Vernacular style. This masterpiece has spectacular views over the golf course as well as the dramatic mountains. The gritty, grey texture of these mountains create quite an almost surreal backdrop to the green fairways of the course, and present the early bird with equally dramatic sunrises. The home boasts grace, space and tasteful finishes and has sweeping
entertainment areas, a spacious undercover patio with braai area that overlooks the swimming pool and private putting green. Kids have ball-kicking size spaces to roam. The immaculate kitchen, fitted with top-of-the-range appliances, is extremely spacious and constructed with a long, inviting island where family and friends can join the chef. The area flows naturally to an open-plan dining room and lounge area, separated from the outdoor entertainment areas by large glass doors. During winter, the indoor fireplace and cooking area become the focal point for social activity.
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COVER PROPERTY
The en-suite main bedroom, a guest bedroom en-suite, study, lounge, guest toilet, kitchen, laundry, dining and TV rooms are on the ground level. Upstairs are two more en-suite bedrooms with a cosy TV room for the kids. The bedrooms are large, with good views and light, and there is no shortage of cupboards.
Bathrooms feature modern touches with the latest in design. The natural fauna and flora of the region is carefully protected in the Estate. The present clubhouse offers a spacious lounge (which offers conference facilities and free Wi-Fi), bar, kitchen, cloakrooms as well as a squash court.
This could be a spectacular permanent home to match your family’s lifestyle, or do duty as a very convenient weekend and holiday retreat in one of the country’s most attractive regions. Arrange a viewing with your Seeff agent to come and experience the fresh air and natural beauty first-hand.
PRICE: R8.99 Million SIZE: 1 470.square metres FEATURES: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 4 garages WWW.SEEFF.COM WEB REF: 1991822 AGENT: Livvy Kotze on 083 757 8532 or livvy@seeff.com
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B O S CH E N ME E R G OLF & COU N TRY ES TAT E
Amid the picturesque Winelands of the Western Cape’s historic Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, framed by the majestic Drakenstein mountains and the famous Paarl Rock, lies an estate beyond compare Boschenmeer.
With incredible views over the Winelands, a relaxed atmosphere, a tranquil riverside setting, luxury, privacy and security, this is Golf Estate living at its best. The vision of the developers of Boschenmeer was to design a residential area on a golf course to enable residents to experience a quiet and relaxing lifestyle and enjoy the golf course on a daily basis. Almost all residential properties face directly onto the golf course, with amazing breathtaking views across manicured lawns. Homes are positioned in such a way as to offer privacy and magnificent views of the Drakenstein, Simonsberg and Franschhoek mountains. The Estate has several water features, including a lake with two islands, and a bird sanctuary, which is home to an
abundance of bird life. This estate has many old and wellestablished trees as well as thousands of indigenous trees which bear berries and seeds. Not only can you live here, but guests can also enjoy the Estate Lodges, which are located close to the scenic 19th fairway with views of the Drakenstein and Franschhoek mountains. The units are furnished and fully equipped with satellite television in all bedrooms. Boschenmeer’s remarkable golf course was created by an old Boys’ High school pupil and professional golfer, David Frost, and is of true championship standard. This 27-hole golf course caters for everyone, from the first class golfer to the less experienced weekender.
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B RA C K E N F E L L
Brackenfell is located in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town at the gateway to the Winelands. Seeff Brackenfell covers the areas of Brackenfell, Kuils River and Kraaifontein.
The Northern Suburbs neighbourhoods of Brackenfell, Kuils River and Kraaifontein offer some of the best value properties in Cape Town. Whether you are a first-time buyer, young professional, family or older buyer, you are sure to find the right property at the right price here. Some homes also offer beautiful views of the Winelands. Located on the northern edge of the city, the areas offer a tranquil lifestyle with original farms and smallholdings still evident on the urban edge. There is good access via the N1, R300 and N2 to various areas across the city, the Winelands and several beaches. The suburbs also offer excellent transport infrastructure, from good road networks to train, taxi and bus services. The Northern Suburbs are renowned for the excellent choice of multi-lingual schools and a family-friendly lifestyle that it offers. Residents have access to excellent facilities and amenities with basic conveniences close by, and there is a
busy commercial centre in each area where residents can find a host of services and facilities for their daily needs. Residents also have easy access to a number of shopping centres, from the Zevenwacht Mall in Kuils River to Okavango Crossing in Kraaifontein along with the N1 City Mall, Tygervalley Shopping Centre and various value centres where you can find a host of popular retail and service brands. Just about every fast food and take-away chain is present in the neighbourhoods as are popular family restaurants and bars. There are also excellent sports facilities. Green parks offer the opportunity to walk your dogs or for children to play, or you can walk or jog here. The close proximity to the wine farms of the Cape is a big plus for residents who choose to live here. Seeff Brackenfell offers a team of local area property estate agents who are highly skilled to assist with all your property needs, from sales to rentals.
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C ERE S
Ceres is a charming town, world famous for its export-quality fruit, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality and range of leisure activities. Ceres is also the gateway to the Cederberg Mountains to the north and the Tankwa Karoo to the east and is a mere 150km or 90 minutes drive from Cape Town.
The valley in which Ceres is set is surrounded by mountains and protected from the wind. The town can be reached from Cape Town through Michell’s Pass, via N1, R43 and R46, Theronsberg Pass from Touws River, via R46 and Gydo Pass from Citrusdal, via the R303. Ceres’ origins are linked to the expansion of stock farming by European colonists in the 18th century. As previously thinly populated areas became permanently settled, frontier conditions changed and towns were established to serve the needs of surrounding farmers. This was how Ceres, and subsequently Prince Alfred’s Hamlet, Baliesgat, Wolseley, Op die Berg and other small towns in the district were established. The Ceres district consists of 3 different areas, each with its
own unique charm and landscape: the ‘Warm Bokkeveld’, the ‘Koue Bokkeveld’ and the Ceres Karoo. The Mediterranean climate results in long, dry and warm summers and wet, cold winters with sunny winter days. Therefore the area is ideal for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts with many activities and attractions to offer, such as San rock paintings, 4X4 routes, hiking trails, mountain biking, horse riding, scenic drives, farm tours, fresh water fishing, cherry picking in season (Nov to Jan), abseiling, canoeing, paragliding, juice tasting, snow activities and game viewing. Ceres offers a wide variety of accommodation: luxury game reserves, a nature reserve, guesthouses, bed & breakfasts, a holiday resort, self-catering units and farm cottages.
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F RAN S C H H O E K
Live a cosmopolitan lifestyle in a charming village. Dating back to the 1600s, with some of the original Huguenot farms, Franschhoek is a very special village and is fast becoming a most sought-after tourist and property destination.
The scenic beauty of the area, the country lifestyle and its proximity to Cape Town, all add up to its being a very desirable location for property and real estate investors. Franschhoek is situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, a pleasant 45 minute drive from Cape Town. The French Huguenots, who planted the first vines in the valley, founded the town almost 400 years ago. There is a variety of quality properties available in Franschhoek, ranging from historic wine farms to secure retirement complexes. The town has many historical buildings and excellent examples of traditional Cape Dutch architecture. Franschhoek is a vibrant, cosmopolitan town that attracts artists, tourists, retirees and affluent people from around the
world. A number of South Africa’s finest restaurants are to be found here and Franschhoek is known as the culinary capital of South Africa. The town is served by an excellent infrastructure with recently upgraded roads, a fine private school, convenient shopping and medical facilities. There is a large variety of sporting and recreational activities including horse riding, fishing, sailing on the nearby Theewaterskloof Dam and mountain biking and hiking in the surrounding mountains. Seeff Franschhoek can assist you with the sale and rental of all types of residential, commercial and agricultural properties including villas, houses, apartments, cluster developments, security villages, land, wine farms and guesthouses.
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MALM E SB U RY
Malmesbury is situated on the N7 highway 65 kilometres from Cape Town, less than an hour from Paarl, Stellenbosch and Wellington and a mere 30 minutes from the coastal towns of the Cape West Coast. Malmesbury is the largest town in the area and it is generally known as the “Heart of the Swartland�. By purchasing a property in Malmesbury you become part of this tranquil country town, yet it has a vibrant community, bustling business life and active informal sector. Malmesbury has many restored and beautifully maintained properties. Malmesbury has a Mediterranean climate and is surrounded by mountains, wheatfields and vineyards. Seeff has been assisting sellers and buyers of residential, commercial and agricultural properties in Malmesbury since 2004. Seeff Malmesbury also has a rental division.
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PA AR L
Paarl, the largest town in the Winelands, is also known as the Pearl of the Winelands due to the massive granite rock outcrops on Paarl Mountain. Part of the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, the mountain provides wonderful hiking and mountain bike trails with views of the whole valley. Paarl is easily accessible via the N1 and only 60kms from Cape Town. It is not only renowned for its scenic beauty, but its wine estates and cellars have international recognition. The town has beautiful examples of Cape Dutch, Edwardian and Victorian architecture, many of which are set amongst amongst century old oak trees. Paarl is also unique for its very long Main Road and the grape and wine farms set among the houses throughout the town. Paarl is the birthplace of Afrikaans as a written language. In 1876, ‘Die Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners’ (The Society of True Afrikaners) first printed the language here. This historical event is memorialized in “Die Afrikaanse Taalmonument” (the
Afrikaans Language Monument) and Museum located on the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain. The town has 2 provincial and 2 private hospitals, primary schools and famous high schools offering tuition from Grade 1 - 12. Sporting facilities include golf, rugby, cricket, tennis, canoeing, swimming, badminton, squash, soccer, hockey, judo, karate, and more. Paarl boasts all the major shops, several restaurants, pizza parlours, as well as a choice of wine estates. This makes Paarl especially desirable as a place to live. With its Mediterranean climate Paarl has dry sunny days in summer and rain in the winter with a sprinkling of snow on the mountains now and then.
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RI E B E E K VA L L E Y
Riebeek Valley was founded in 1661 by Jan van Riebeeck and consists of two quaint towns, Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West.
As they are approximately only 80km from Cape Town, they are popular tourist destinations. Riebeek Kasteel has the bragging rights for having been chosen as one of the three most beautiful towns in the Western Cape in 2009. Many hundreds of years before Jan van Riebeeck arrived in the Cape in 1652, the Khoisan had already discovered the fertile Riebeek valley and were living there at the time of Pieter Cruythoff’s arrival in 1661. The expedition party diarised seeing lions, rhinos and herds of hartebeest as well as a few huts where the indigenous Sonqua hunter/gatherers lived. Their paintings can still be found scattered around the Kasteelberg mountain. Now 357 years later the Riebeek Valley is well known, not only sporting the oldest hotel in SA (the Royal Hotel), but is also extremely popular for its wines and olives and has many
tasting locations to visit. You can also experience some craft beer tasting and enjoy the popular wide selection of gins at the Royal Hotel in Riebeek Kasteel. Since the early 1990s the area has been “re-pioneered” by young, alternative, creative people seeking a country lifestyle and together with wine, food and fun, Riebeek Kasteel has become known as the “artist’s retreat”. Come and stroll the streets of the Riebeek Valley and enjoy the many craft shops, antique shops, restaurants, coffee shops and produce of local entrepreneurs. B&Bs, Airbnbs, guesthouses and the hotel cater for a variety of travelers.
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S T ELL E N B O S CH
Stellenbosch is an historical town with magnificent examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture along its oak-lined streets.
Established on the banks of the Eerste River in 1679 by Simon van der Stel, the then Governor of the Cape, Stellenbosch is well known not only for its many wine estates and excellent restaurants, but also for its wide range of interesting museums and art galleries, hotels, Airbnbs, guesthouses and B&Bs, as well as a variety of bars and clubs . From the start, wine and its production, were an integral part of the growing community’s life and culture. The Stellenbosch wine region is one of the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere and very highly regarded. Stellenbosch is also home to the University of Stellenbosch, known as “Maties” and is a world-renowned academic institution and is also one of the oldest tertiary education centres in South Africa. As a famous university town for the past 100 years, it has become a cosmopolitan region with an
interesting mix of locals, students and tourists from all over the globe. Stellenbosch is the ideal destination from which to explore the Winelands, Cape Town and the Peninsula. The area has excellent wine estates and restaurants and also many tourist attractions, and many national and international industries have their headquarters here. This tranquil and friendly town is a prime tourist and conference destination.
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T U LB A G H
Tulbagh is steeped in history, boasts national monuments and historic wine farms, and is set in a beautiful landscape with majestic mountains all around. The town developed strongly from 1743 through to today, although it still retains a classic South African small town feel, in particular along the historic Church Street. The close-knit, cosmopolitan community of Tulbagh has a platform for unprecedented market strength not seen anywhere else in the Western Cape. Tulbagh has become a preferred wedding destination, and annual long-running festivals like Christmas in Winter and the Tulbagh Arts Festival are drawing new visitors to the Valley. The introduction of the Steam Train from Cape Town to Ceres in 2016 has promoted tourism even more in the Valley. Tulbagh also offers hiking trails, mountain biking, horse riding, fishing and birding. All within 80 minutes drive from Cape Town.
From historic homes, through to a more modern living, Seeff offers you the best Tulbagh has in residential and agricultural properties. If you are looking for a smallholding, a wine farm, a lifestyle farm, be it large or small, Seeff offers you the largest and most comprehensive list of classic South African properties available.
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W E LL I N G T O N
The picturesque town of Wellington is a scenic 45 minute drive from Cape Town, 15 minutes from neighbouring Paarl and a 30 minute scenic drive through the Winelands to historic Stellenbosch.
Wellington’s agricultural economy is centred on its awardwinning wines, table grapes, delicious fruit and fine brandy, and it is also home to South Africa’s sole whisky producer. The region is renowned for beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, picturesque environment, gardens and wineries. The historic Bain’s Kloof Pass, with unsurpassed vistas, indigenous flora and fauna, and crystal clear streams and rivers, is the perfect spot for hikers and fly-fishermen. Closer to town, guided wine walks and horse trails through rich farmland and flowering fynbos offer the opportunity to see and experience Mother Nature at her finest. Wellington is surrounded by fruit orchards, wine estates, buchu plantations and olive groves. In addition, its vinecutting nurseries produce approximately 85% of the country’s vine root stock for the wine industry.
Hiking trails, bird and wildlife viewing, Unimog expeditions, mountain biking, 4×4 routes and abseiling are just some of the outdoor activities to be enjoyed in the mountainous terrain and scenic surrounds. More French Huguenots settled here than anywhere else in the Cape and the valley was formerly known as Val du Charron. Visit the Wellington Museum with its diverse cultural exhibits, or ‘Ouma-Granny’s’ House that provides a window on life in Wellington in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The town was renowned as an important academic centre for theological studies and the Seminary gave rise to present-day Huguenot High School and the Huguenot Teachers Training College. Other educational institutions include Boland College and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
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W ORC E S TE R
The beautiful town of Worcester is a hidden gem, surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges and is the largest town in the Breede River Municipal area. Only 90 minutes from Cape Town, Worcester caters for nature lovers, adventurers, fine art and wine lovers alike. It is located at an elevation of 220 metres (720 ft) and can be reached by road either travelling on the N1 highway through the Huguenot Tunnel or by driving through some of our country’s most spectacular mountain passes. In this region, you can also see the Big 5, visit the Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens, tour one of the 13 wine estates or farms on the Worcester Wine and Olive Route, or admire fine art at The Hugo Naudé House and the Jean Weltz Art Gallery. The town houses both the National Institute for the Deaf and the Institute for the Blind. Good dual medium schools,
excellent medical facilities, a retirement village and a modern Mall, make this a town where modern day conveniences form part of a country lifestyle. Summer is generally dry with the rare late summer thunderstorm. Winters are generally very windy and often cool to cold with snow being common on the higher lying ground above 1 500m. Seeff Worcester can assist you with all types of residential and agricultural properties.
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W E S T C O A ST
Our West Coast branches stretch from Yzerfontein in the south to Lambert’s Bay in the north.
The West Coast is scenic and renowned for its fertile fishing grounds and fishing culture with many of the coastal villages boasting white-washed fisherman-styled architecture. It ranks as one of most popular coastal property belts for holiday makers and to own residential, retirement or holiday property. The West Coast is characterised by stretches of white sandy beaches, a rocky coastline with beautiful bays, fynbos as far as the eye can see and nature reserves. It is a watersport haven, offering sunbathing, swimming, fishing, surfing, kite surfing, boating, yachting and more. It is also a nature lover’s dream. The West Coast is renowned for its sea food, fish and crayfish, warm and welcoming people and its culture of storytelling. Route 27 is a seafood mecca with a number of open-air beach restaurants offering unsurpassed meals fresh from the sea, cooked on open fires while you enjoy the fabulous vistas. Jakkalsfontein The Jakkalsfontein Coastal Nature Reserve is located just 70kms from Cape Town. The estate is famous for its pristine sandy beaches, backed by a private nature reserve of some 1 700 hectares owned exclusively by the property owners. Yzerfontein Yzerfontein is a popular holiday resort, just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town. It is a popular weekend and holiday destination with many holiday homes located around a beautiful bay and unspoilt white beaches surrounded by fynbos. Langebaan Located around the Langebaan Lagoon and just a 90-minute drive from Cape Town, Langebaan is a picturesque resort which attracts scores of weekend and holiday visitors.
Paternoster Pretty Paternoster, with its quaint fisherman’s village architecture is located about 90-minutes from Cape Town and a popular resort for weekend and holiday makers. Saldanha The harbour town of Saldanha is under two hour’s drive from Cape Town. It is the largest and deepest natural bay in the country. The economy is dominated by the fishing industry with crayfish, fish, mussels, oysters and seaweed all processed here. Over the last few years, new development initiatives include the Saldanha IDZ (Industrial Zone). Vredenburg Vredenburg is the business and administrative centre of the West Coast, centrally situated with smaller towns surrounding it and only 14km from the sea. St Helena Bay St Helena Bay is under two hour’s drive from Cape Town and overlooks the actual bay of St Helena. It is one of the world’s principal fishing centres, with the cold Benguela current bringing nutrient rich waters, resulting in abundant sea life. More than half of the fish processed yearly in South Africa is processed here. Velddrif Velddrif lies next to the Berg River, close to where the mouth of the river meets the sea and is a charming seaside village. There are two large salt works which provide much of the salt in the Western Cape along with a substantial fishing industry, and Velddrif is part of the West Coast Crayfish Route. The village is characterized by rickety wooden jetties with Bokkoms, a dried fish speciality, hung up to dry.
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