Neighbourhood 26 JANUARY 2020
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Worthy of a tycoon This opulent home in lower Umhlanga Rocks has incredible sea views and is looking for a new owner, page 7
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PROPERTY FOCUS: HOUSES CLOSE TO SCHOOLS
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LOCAL PROPERTY NEWS
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PROPERTY NEWS
26 JANUARY 2020
Neighbourhood
Property focus
Schools score points Here’s how the presence of good schools in a neighbourhood impacts buyer choice and property price WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK IMAGES: SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK
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ood schools have always been the defining factor of a familyfriendly suburb. You only have to look at Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs with its preponderance of top schools to see the historic popularity of property within the catchment areas of those schools. Today with growing populations and shortages of schools it’s even more important to choose the right area. “Competition for space in good schools is increasing annually and there’s usually a waiting list,” says Samuel Seeff, chairman, Seeff Property Group. “Proximity to schools has become one of the top drivers of property demand in most areas.” And as traffic congestion rises together with petrol prices, the attraction of living within walking distance of the school of your choice, saving time on the school run and driving to afterschool activities, grows apace.
SILVER LAKES GOLF & WILDLIFE ESTATE, PRETORIA
“As a result of the demand, properties close to good schools generally achieved a premium of around 20% to 40% more compared to properties which are not close to schools,” says Seeff. “Interestingly, while schools are a great advantage and selling point for family buyers and people with children, they’re a deterrent and disadvantage for older buyers who don’t want to live close to school noise or traffic.”
Current property climate
HURLINGHAM, JOBURG
PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING
In a property market that is currently slow, the top school catchment areas are proving the most resilient. “Homes close to good schools and universities have proven to be a good investment, tending to hold their value better in challenging economic times. School-belt suburbs are also popular for rentals and hence offer
good investment prospects, the same for university precincts. During an economic decline, rental demand tends to peak, so school areas are likely to currently experience high demand,” says Seeff. In Rosebank, Joburg, Frikkie van Eeden, broker/owner of RE/MAX Advantage, is seeing this factor play out. “We’ve had a slowdown in the mid- to luxury segment of the market. Anything above R3m has not been easy to sell. But we’ve seen that sales close to the top schools were the ones attracting the buyers. Anything within walking distance from Jan Cilliers, probably the most soughtafter Afrikaans primary school in Joburg, has been in great demand.”
New suburbs As suburbs grow and new lifestyle estates spread out from the fringes of cities, the addition of new schools is essential to creating new family-friendly property enclaves. Des Hauser, sales manager, Pam Golding Properties Alberton and Johannesburg South, sees this happening with the proliferation of secure estates in his area. “Johannesburg South is in essence a hub, with scholars commuting from far and wide and families relocating here for quality of life. The supply and demand for schools in these areas are in its infancy and corporate private schools not yet present are scouting and investing aggressively in our area.” Gareth Bailey, Pam Golding Properties area principal, Durban Coastal, highlights the importance of schools in new development areas. “While our North Coast property belt is developing at a relentless rate, fortunately there are sufficient plans in place to deliver quality schools and tertiary institutions to meet the educational needs of these suburbs. The establishment of quality schools and universities in areas such as these will have a significant effect on the strength of these property markets in the long run.”
Well-established estates are demonstrating the truth of this. Inge de Klerk, Pam Golding Properties Silver Lakes says, “Silver Lakes Golf and Wildlife Estate, one of Pretoria’s top-performing suburbs according to Lightstone, offers direct access to Curro Hazeldean. The estate is also located close to the German School, hence the area is popular with German clients. Information about schools is normally one of the first questions buyers ask. We find that there’s a price difference of between 10% to 15% of similar properties in and outside the school catchment.”
Long-term investment Whether you’re buying a home for a growing family or as an investment property, it’s the nearby schools that define that all-important location, location, location factor, and that’s not likely to change. “Owing to entrance requirements based on proximity, many buyers with young families choose a suburb purely based on the schooling district they want to be in and will refuse to look at properties that lie outside of these areas,” says Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO, RE/MAX of Southern Africa. “For this reason, those who are looking for properties purely based upon investment value ought to consider properties within one of the catchment areas of a reputable schooling district as the demand for these properties will always exist as long as the school maintains its reputation.”
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Neighbourhood
26 JANUARY 2020
PROPERTY NEWS
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Often, clients are drawn to the Upper Highway area purely owing to the lure of the top-quality private schools such as Kearsney College, St Mary’s, Thomas More, Curro and Highbury SHANE PEARSON, RE/MAX ADDRESS IN HILLCREST
WOODHILL GOLF ESTATE, PRETORIA
CLAREMONT UPPER, CAPE TOWN
Morningside is spoilt with good schools, such as Clifton (private for boys), Durban Girls’ College in Essenwood and Maris Stella. Homes and apartments near these schools are generally sought after, sell for great values, and quickly too. MICHELLE BURGER, AREA PRINCIPAL, PAM GOLDING PROPERTIES DURBAN
NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN
Biggest Independent Property Developer and Property Specialist in KZN Specialising in: Leisure and Hotels | Medical | Residential | Commercial
AFRICA RISING (Pty) Ltd is one of the leading property development, marketing and project management companies in KwaZulu Natal. We have over 1.2 Billion rand on our books for current and future developments. In addition to development, marketing and project management we also assist in the legal side of the whole project process, which can be daunting to some lacking knowledge in this area.
ZIMBALI SUITES
THE MADISON MEDICAL SUITES
THE MADISON RESIDENTIAL
THE MARINA RESIDENTIAL
Located along one of the most prestigious parts of KZN’s breathtaking Dolphin Coast, these suites offer an idyllic escape from the city.
Directly Opposite Umhlanga Gateway Hospital (BUSA MED).
Situated in the heart of the Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre.
Located in Umhlanga New Town Centre, Gateway.
15 executive medical suites to chose from, these are Lifestyle Medical Suites that come with owner access to an outdoor swimming pool, gym and sauna.
Surround yourself with world-class shopping, a range of culinary experiences, entertainment options and of course, the glorious Umhlanga coastline, right on your doorstep.
Luxury Apartments with access to large indoor swimming pool, gym Units have fully fitted BIC and granite Kitchens, Smeg Ovens, extractors and Hob. Some units have sea views.
Last 10 Units available
1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 34 m2 R 1 300 000
Combining the luxury of living in an exclusive serviced suite with all the offerings of a fivestar hotel and integrated coastal resort. 3 x 1 bedrooms R 2 300 000 each 2 x 2 bedrooms R 4 500 000 each
Prices starting from R 2 300 000
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathrooms 73 m2 R 2 450 000 (Duplex) 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathrooms 90 m2 R 3 950 000 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathrooms 94 m2 R 3 650 000
2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms 61 m2 R 2 350 000 3 bedroom, 3 bathrooms 126 m2 R 4 700 000
AFRICA RISING GROUP Biggest Independent Property Developer and Property Specialist in KZN Also Specialising in: • • • •
Property syndication Property swaps Conflict Resolution and mediation Project origination
• Property instalment sales • Property financing • Project management
PARK AVENUE
QUEENSBURGH 611619 OLD MAIN ROAD
SIBAYA SITE
THE GRAND CENTRAL OFFICE SPACE
HOTEL MARINA
Situated in the heart of the vibrant Umhlanga New Town Centre Park Avenue.
Located in Northdene which is a suburb of Queensburgh approximately 20km West of Durban in the Greater Durban Metropolitan Area. The property fronts onto Main Road which is a main thoroughfare linking Malvern, Queensburgh and Pinetown and also provides main access to and from the M7 freeway.
An opportunity for people to buy land at a central location as it falls between Ballito and Umhlanga.
This ground floor shop is ideally locality next to Gateway’s Theatre of Shopping and European Square.
Umhlanga Town Centre (Gateway)
This 9063 m2 property (The Sterling) has proposed plans for 100 room Hotel, 50 - 2 bedroom apartments, super car showroom, 500 seater conference centre or theatre, shops and restaurants.
The site comes with: 2 secure parking bays, zoned mixed use 1 for any commercial business, flooring - carpets & tiles, kitchen, air-conditioned, burglar armed, built in cupboards and 2 toilets.
The hotel has 63 rooms, a conference centre, restaurant, swimming pool, fully fitted kitchen, refrigeration room, a large dining area, a huge private lounge & bar, a spa, cigar lounge as well as interactive lounges.
Park Avenue is set to become one of the most sought after developments due to both its location and offering. Residents have access to a swimming pool and gym. Units have fully fitted BIC and granite Kitchens 2 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 59.89 m2 R 1 850 000.00 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 91.25 m2 R 3 295 000.00
This fully fenced, 22 300m2 property has 5 building structures on site and a swimming pool. The ideal space for a hospital, school, church or religious organisation.
Selling price R 55 million
Selling price R 6.5 million
A four star property with five star facilities.
Price P.O.A
Selling price R 14 500 000
CONTACT US TODAY! STELLENE PILLAY
031 566 1230 | africarising@vodamail.co.za | www.africarisinggroup.co.za
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PROPERTY NEWS
26 JANUARY 2020
Neighbourhood
If these walls could talk If you’re short of garden space but keen on herbs, let them climb the wall – either DIY it or employ an expert WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
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here are a number of very nifty wall systems for planting, so if you’re not a handyman or even green fingered, listen to Sean O’Connor, director of Living Green Walls. “It’s best to stick with a reliable ‘living green wall’ system that has been designed or engineered to sustain any plants, especially edibles (herbs and vegetables). I would recommend using either the VertiPocket or the MVG plant wall system.” Looking at the prices, these systems aren’t cheap, but if you’re committed to this for the long haul, it’s worth it. The VertiPocket is 1m long and 1,8m high, holds around 60 edible plants, and can be attached to almost any wall surface (starting retail price around R5,650). The MVG system also attaches to most wall surfaces, is 1,2m long and 2,1m high, 60 pockets, and retails for around R8,700.
Care
“Edibles enjoy a lot of good natural light,” says Sean. Three to four hours a day of direct sunlight will suffice for their growth and flowering (fruiting). Watering is best done on a daily basis to keep the plants’ roots moist, especially if the plants are in direct sunlight. Having said that, most living wall systems have built-in water reticulation systems.”
Functional and good looking?
Sean isn’t convinced about the goodlooking aspect. “You must decide for what purpose you want a planted wall. If you want to feed a family of four, for example, then it’s going to be a ‘functional’ vegetable-producing machine, rather than a beautiful feature that fits into a garden design or interior design. If you’re looking to install a planted wall for beauty’s sake, think twice about planting edibles.”
Can we companion plant in this? “Absolutely,” says Sean. “We often refer to that genre of planting as ‘herbaceous plants’ (some edible, some not). Companion planting is key to keeping pests away, but get the advice of your local nursery on what plants to use for specific herbs.” Certain plants are really disliked by pests, and if you companion plant cleverly, you can end up with few invaders – the ideal solution for edible plants.
Keep the wall looking good
It’s not easy when you’re constantly picking for the table. Sean says if you’re creating an edible planted wall that really works for you, it’s best to get a good understanding of what grows best each season. “Then focus on replanting your living wall every season for best results and production. For example, basil grows well in the summer months, but after it has flowered and the cooler winter months kick in, most basil plants start to die back. It’s best at this point to remove the plants from the system, and plant a winter growing seeding like spring onions, kale or lemon thyme.” He adds, “It’s best to avoid plants with deep root systems and bulbous plants (like onion, beetroot and potatoes). Herbs like sweet rocket, flat-leafed parsley and coriander, mint and strawberry are great options for living walls.”
EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF Living Green Walls 079 907 1521 livinggreenwalls.co.za
26 JANUARY 2020
Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
All together at St John’s Village F or many years, South African families have been living with multiple generations under one roof. This trend has evolved into secure, lifestyle, multi-generational estates mushrooming across the province.
Ballito Groves launches Phase 3
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fter the overwhelming success of Phase 1 and 2, developers at Ballito Groves have now released the third and final phase. The development is the brainchild of Avoca Developments, in conjunction with International Housing Solutions (IHS). “We didn’t embark on this journey blindly; we partnered with IHS, whose key focus is developing accessible and viable housing investments with easy access to schools, shops and work opportunities. Ballito is the ideal location as it’s a key growth area which is attracting families due to the centrality of amenities and proximity of schools, malls and other desirable things and the sales uptake of Ballito Groves speaks for itself,” says Chris Horn, director, Avoca Developments. The sales performance of Ballito Groves has set a precedent for new sectional title developments of
this kind in the area. At its launch, a staggering R200m worth of sales was achieved in under a month which translates into an average rate of sale of six units per day. In comparison, the current sectional title transfers for the area reveal a total of 180 sales for the same period overall, translating into an average of 15 sales per month.
St John’s Village, situated in the KZN Midlands’ town of Howick, offers a secure, family lifestyle and retirement opportunities with a variety of residential offerings including plots of land and ready-built, farmhouse-style homes. “St John’s Village has an agricultural history
dating back to the 1940s, so when we did the design, we wanted to provide agricultural-inspired resources like a vast wetland, grazing cows on site, a fruitful vineyard and flourishing gardens, while also establishing a closeknit community of all generations,” shares Cedar Falls, who represents the St John’s Village development. Set across 160ha of Midlands land, St John’s Village has two family, country lifestyle opportunities. The Vineyards is surrounded by a Shiraz Vineyard, while The Wetlands
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has a vast wetland on its doorstep. These residential opportunities give purchasers the option to buy plots of land or ready-built houses boasting Natal verandah-style architecture. There are also two retirement opportunities that are situated alongside these family opportunities – The Orchards that has stone-fruit orchards planted within the village and offers sectional title units and The Arboretum, a residential offering for the over 55s, which offers beautiful freehold land or homes that look onto the exclusive Arboretum gardens.
Stefan Botha, director, Rainmaker Marketing, explains, “Ballito Groves was able to set a new area sales record because the offering is configured around extensive and intensive market research. Furthermore the findings of our research allowed us to advise the developers on the best approach in terms of marketing the development to the public and forecasting the potential success which is seen in the release of Phase 3.” The development is due for completion in July this year.
Palatial Home in Lower Umhlanga Rocks
Charm, sophistication and elegance are just a few words to describe this majestic residence. Contact Celeste Naidoo 031 830 5190 071 641 0483
celeste@synergy-realty.co.za Visit: https://youtu.be/s2mMglPBwpM to watch a video of this property
* 3 Expansive bedrooms with en suite * Walk In closet in extensive 60m2 main bedroom * 5 Bathrooms * 3 Garages * 1316m2 * Gym * Granny flat
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Steam Room with Jacuzzi Laundry Room Marble Spiral Staircase Breathtaking views including full sea views Major external and internal entertainment areas Short walk to Umhlanga Village, restaurants, Woolworths and Pick n Pay * Well secured property with security room
AGENTS KNOW HOW TO MARKET YOUR HOME TO SELL
Image is everything when it comes to real estate and a poorly presented property is like showing up at the Oscars in the wrong dress. Objective, expert advice and assistance from a registered estate agent is essential.
Another good reason why you should use an estate agent
www.rebosa.co.za
REAL ESTATE BUSINESS OWNERS OF SOUTH AFRICA