Neighbourhood 14 OCTOBER 2018
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Seaside rendezvous Honour that call for a relaxing beach escape with a difference with these top choices from around South Africa, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: SEASIDE RETREATS
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PROPERTY NEWS
14 OCTOBER 2018
Neighbourhood
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Seaside retreats Discover our top choices in beach holidays WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK
IMAGES: SUPPLIED & THE OYSTER COLLECTION
UMNGAZI RIVER
Stilbaai is our favourite seaside escape. The beaches are calm, there are wonderful little treasures around every cove, animals to discover, and the river outlet is wonderful to swim in. There are so many activities to do and places to explore, the kids are kept busy all the time. It’s so relaxing. CHANTAL DE LA HOGUE
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rom the wild Atlantic beaches of the West Coast to the balmy sub-tropical beaches of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is blessed with an incredibly varied coastline. Many of us return to the same favourite spot year after year, but perhaps it’s time to explore and discover a new soul-restoring escape ruled by the rhythm of the tides, barefoot walks, and shell-seeking on long sandy beaches. Here are a few away-fromit-all gems that we fell in love with:
Romantic escapes • At the edge of the fishing village of Paternoster on the West Coast, Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel looks out over the long beach and neighbouring nature reserve. It’s an ideal couples’ escape with elegant uncluttered beach style and plenty of luxury, plus the joys of excellent cuisine at chef Garth Almazan’s Leeto Restaurant in-house. • Hidden in lush coastal vegetation south of Durban, above the sandy beach and warm Indian Ocean in the Trafalgar marine protected area, Days at Sea is a five-star beach lodge with just six suites and a chic artlover’s sense of style. Lazing by the pool to the gentle murmur of waves below, sundowners on the beach, leisurely dinners and fine wine make for a magical beach hideaway. • For the ultimate wilderness beach getaway, Thonga Beach Lodge in the remote iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal is an all-inclusive lodge setup where you can track turtles, scuba and snorkel on the shallow reefs, kayak to see hippos,
DAYS AT SEA
PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING 1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga roads Milnerton, Cape Town
and enjoy forest and beach walks in pristine, protected landscapes.
Family resorts Resorts and away from it all, don’t always go together, but here are three gems that combine the two. • Umngazi River Bungalows and Spa on the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape enjoys a stunning remote setting on the river mouth with the Indian Ocean just over white sand dunes, with individual thatched bungalows set in indigenous gardens. Fishing expeditions, swimming in the river, dolphinor whale-spotting and beach time are supplemented by organised kids’ activities and a dedicated spa. • Pumula Beach Hotel at Umzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, gives directly onto the blue-flag beach with so much for kids to do that you might not see them all day! For a family holiday with kids of varying ages, from teens to toddlers, it’s a comfortable and relaxing stay and has everything from interleading rooms and child-minding services, to adaptable chefs catering to special dietary needs. • Giving directly onto a Knysna Lagoon beach near the Heads, Under Milkwood self-catering chalets are an ideal spot for a peaceful family holiday. Sun loungers, kayaks and paddle boards await on the beach and when the tide is out, there’s a wide stretch of sand for kids to play. There are 16 comfortable log chalets where a self-catering
kitchen means Le Creuset and a daily house-keeping service.
Private retreats For a total escape and privacy, you can’t beat renting a holiday home.
• Perfect Hideaways have made an art out of discovering the best private beach retreats, each with their own style, character and plenty of comfort. At The Sound in Yzerfontein you step directly out from the French doors of the large living room onto the quiet end of the sandy beach. • Summerhill outside Stilbaai is totally away from it all – perched above a deserted sand beach in a fynbos reserve, it runs off solar power and you need a 4x4 to get there. • Soul Arch in Plettenberg Bay is hidden away between sand dunes from a lovely local beach, with views over the vlei, ideal for swimming, chilling and surfing. • On the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphin Coast, No 37 is a gorgeous Sheffield Beach villa with ocean views, direct beach access to sand and rock pools, and natural bush surroundings. • For luxury beach houses at Kenton-on-Sea in the Eastern Cape, The Oyster Collection have you covered. The Oyster Box Beach House has stunning views over the river mouth and beach, while Driftwood and the Boat Shed are two more beautiful seaside houses close to the beach.
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Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
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HOTELS AND RESORTS: • Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel www.strandloperocean.com
STRANDLOPER OCEAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL
• Days At Sea www.daysatsea.co.za • Thonga Beach Lodge www.thongabeachlodge.co.za • Pumula Beach Hotel www.pumulabeachhotel.com • Umngazi River Bungalows and Spa www.umngazi.co.za • Under Milkwood www.milkwood.co.za
PRIVATE HOLIDAY RENTALS: • Perfect Hideaways www.perfecthideaways.co.za • The Oyster Collection www.oystercollection.co.za SOUL ARCH
THONGA BEACH LODGE
SUMMERHILL
UMNGAZI RIVER BUNGALOWS AND SPA
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PROPERTY NEWS
14 OCTOBER 2018
Neighbourhood
My business J neighbourhood
ohn Gregory and Nick Lebotschy loved the idea of community engagement and giving people produce at the peak of its freshness, and so decided to open the Drummond Farmers Market.
Seasonal fresh and delicious food remains the allure for people frequenting farmers’ markets WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
Q: How did your business start? A: Having both lived in the Drummond area for many years, we identified a need for a facility where the community could get together in a healthy, outdoor environment while providing a platform for local farmers and craftsmen to promote their produce. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: The farmers' market is located in the tranquil setting of the Valley of Thousand Hills and falls within the Thousand Hills Tourism Route with easy access from both the Old Main Road and the N3. Q: How did you find your premises? A: The premises belong to the Gregory family. Q: Why are they ideally suited to your business? A: The property is ideally located within the heart of Drummond. Visitors are provided with a choice of sampling a variety of cuisine, which is enjoyed in the vast open space of the park area where friends and families gather and are entertained with soothing live music. Children of all ages are provided with playground equipment such as a free
zip-line, large sandpit, jungle gym and enclosed trampoline. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: Residents who own agricultural and equestrian farms. Q: How many people go through your store each day? A: We currently have 50 permanent stallholders. On average we have 2,000 visitors every Sunday between 9am and 2pm. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: We are constantly upgrading the existing facility and endeavour to provide additional space for stallholders while retaining the appeal of a true farmers’ market. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: We have an active Facebook page (facebook.com/ drummondfarmersmarket). Q: What’s your most popular item? A: A s there is a wide range of produce, such as dairy, poultry, fruit and vegetables, home-made preserves and freshly baked bread available, there is something for every taste.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Drummond Farmers Market admin@drummondfarmersmarket.co.za drummondfarmersmarket.co.za
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14 OCTOBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Tyson Properties bags another international award
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lobal Brands Magazine, a leading international publication providing opinions and news about top brands across the globe, has announced that Tyson Properties has won its Most Trusted Real Estate Brand Award for 2018.
performance excellence in the financial, hospitality, lifestyle, automobile and technology sectors. The awards also aim to identify and create awareness about the significance of exceptional service delivery.
“This comes at a time when we have even bigger news – sometimes numbers speak louder than awards and, over the past financial year, we achieved 100% growth despite the very flat market,” says Tyson Properties’ MD Chris Tyson.
Every year, nominations are accepted from different countries and regions. More than 7,000 companies were evaluated for the 2018 awards. Already the market leader in the KwaZulu-Natal market, Tyson Properties is making meaningful inroads into both the Western Cape and Gauteng markets which it entered simultaneously in 2015. Every year, it has exceeded its forecasts, grown its footprint, and increased its market share, according to Tyson.
The Most Trusted Real Estate Brand Award was just one out of two awards in the property category presented to South African companies. The UK-based Global Brands Awards were established to recognise
Property prices for commercial and industrial-zoned and serviced land seems to be maintaining their value with no notable reduction in prices, even commanding extremely high prices in Cape Town and in the prime areas of Joburg. We noticed that commercial and industrial investment properties with good leases in place are also holding their value in this market. JOHN WHALL, CEO, HEARTWOOD PROPERTIES
PROPERTY NEWS
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Storage wars – the latest emergent trend
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he demand for selfstorage space has grown exponentially in recent years, with most of the conveniently situated facilities already full. Chris Cilliers, CEO and principal, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Winelands, says the shortage persists despite a number of new facilities becoming available. “The growing shortage of development land in densely populated areas and cities in particular, has resulted in changing housing trends with more compact homes being built. Smaller homes usually have less storage space and only one garage. Another contributing factor is the inevitable downscaling of residential accommodation
resulting from the economic crunch, as well as increased downsizing by empty-nesters,” he explains. Unlike new residential developments, which require large tracts of vacant land, there are still ample suitable locations that can easily be converted to storage facilities. “Any industrial or commercial areas close to town centres are ideal for such properties and in more built-up locations, old office blocks and commercial buildings are being converted,” Cilliers says. According to lead auctioneer and director of The High Street Auction Company Joff van Reenen, they have seen a significant increase in demand for such properties. “Stock is scarce,
especially in densely populated areas and when they do come onto the market – old or new – they get snapped up quickly. We are finding that demand is greatest in CBDs and the high-density, higher LSM residential markets where people can afford to pay for storage of goods they don’t often use.” And in a property market that has been in the doldrums for some time, this is one sector that offers prospective investors a promising return. “If a storage unit is in a well-positioned area it can be a good investment as it’s cheap to maintain with little or no water usage, little electricity required and security the only real priority. It can offer a great rental return with a low expense cost,” he concludes.
Multi-national company earmarks Umhlanga Arch as its new home
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ollowing the residential sell-out success of Umhlanga Arch, the office space are filling up just as fast. Multiply Group, a global investment company, has announced that it is set to make Umhlanga Arch’s state-of-the-art, 1,500m² office their new South African headquarters. This space showcases the best of KwaZulu-Natal views, in particular, 180° sea views accentuated by floor to ceiling glass windows.
“We always knew that this move was going to happen when the Umhlanga Arch launched, as it is undeniably a unique concept for Durban. The development is positioned in one of the fastest growing hubs in South Africa, it has aligned itself with global trends, provides unobtrusive security and integrates state-ofthe-art technology,” explains Craig Coombe, CEO, Multiply Group. With a unique high-street retail area, and the presence of the
Hilton Hotel and residential suites, the Umhlanga Arch offices will truly be unlike any other offering within Umhlanga Ridgeside. As it stands, there are limited office space remaining to purchase or let, with floor plates of 600m². With construction expected to be complete by mid-2020, the Umhlanga Arch appointed construction team continues to work full steam ahead to ensure that a high standard and unique edge is delivered.
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Retirement and the levy question In retirement villages, levies vary dramatically depending on the services offered… in particular, the level of nursing or medical care WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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t’s not wise to view retirement as the next, even last, phase in life. Our extended longevity means retirement consists of a number of phases, and due to medical intervention, the pace of deterioration in the last phase of life seems to be lengthening dramatically. “This is the phase that is so extremely expensive – it exhausts financial resources faster than almost any other event in life,” says Paul Rosenbrock, director, SA Association of Retired Persons (SAARP). Rosenbrock’s a firm exponent of retaining independence by moving early into your choice of retirement village – he urges retirees to explore all options, comparing apples to apples financially and otherwise, and choosing a home which ticks their particular boxes. He places special emphasis on doing homework, particularly financial, before getting involved in anything.
Levies
This is always a tricky one. Rosenbrock says, “A single generic problem facing all retirement village developments – in fact, retirement as a general concept – is that over a protracted period, many people are faced with the problem of increasing expenses versus inadequate increases in income. When this situation arises, the crisis is very difficult for both trustees and residents. It cannot be expected that other residents subsidise one person by using, for instance, accumulated reserves.” Rosenbrock believes if dissatisfaction arises because residents deem levies to be “too high”, it’s often
RETIREMENT FOCUS
because they didn’t do their financial homework when they were purchasing. “Because I can just afford the levy when I purchase and don’t take account of inflation and so on (factoring these matters into my future budget), I can hardly blame the trustees. A history of the levy growth is something one should study prior to purchase commitment. “In all likelihood, one will naturally be going smaller as you age. It is far more appropriate and satisfying from a dignity perspective to start a bit smaller and not be faced with the issues which may otherwise arise.”
Life rights or sectional title
Stefan Botha, Rainmaker Marketing, examines the levy factor for both retirement models. “With sectionaltitle ownership you own the asset, and your levy works in the same way as any other sectional-title scheme – it includes aspects such as estate security, refuse collection, insurance of your unit, and maintenance of common areas. As the owner, you are responsible for your unit’s maintenance and would pay extra for medical care, meals or cleaning, depending on your requirements. “With life-rights, because the unit doesn’t belong to you, the unit’s upkeep and surrounds is the developer’s responsibility, which may result in a lower monthly levy. There is also no risk of incurring a special levy related to development upgrades. The life-rights levies also need to be estimated by the developer two years in advance, which does assist with a retiree’s financial planning.
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“No standard levy – for either sectional title or life rights – includes medical care, cleaning solutions or meals. Both ownership options would generally provide options to utilise these services at an additional monthly cost.”
On-site care or outsourced medical?
Increasingly, new developments are outsourcing care or creating stand-alone medical facilities – essentially, pay as you go. At Mount Edgecombe Retirement Village (MERV) – sectional title – you’re living within a greater estate: Kindlewood. Developer representative David Cameron unpacks the levies, “The monthly Home Owners Association (HOA) levy (currently R1,700) covers Kindlewood Estate’s features and amenities, such as security, general road and estate maintenance, landscaping maintenance, building insurance, common property lights and electricity, communal facilities, and pool maintenance. The body corporate levy covers external home insurance, personal garden service, retirement village upkeep and maintenance, and a village nurse able to provide basic tests and check-ups in your home (varies according to your unit size). There is a once-off levy – a stabilisation fee of R20,000 – used to enhance the estate’s capital growth like building a gym. At MERV, you only pay for what you use, so if you live there and are fit and healthy, it costs nothing. The care facility is a stand-alone business, so only when and if you need the care, it’s there.”
ROB ROY LUXURY RETIREMENT BOTHA’S HILL