Neighbourhood PTA - 02 February 2020 by Your Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood 2 FEBRUARY 2020

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Greenery abounds Few neighbourhoods can compete with the tree-lined streets, established gardens and no-rush feel of Wingate Park, page 2

SUBURB FOCUS: WINGATE PARK

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PROPERTY NEWS

2 FEBRUARY 2020

Neighbourhood

Suburb focus

Hitting it out of the park The tranquil suburb of Wingate Park in the Old East offers families space, peace and good value for money WORDS: BETSIE LOOCK-VAN DER MERWE IMAGES: RENE WALKER & GOOGLE MAPS *Map not to scale

Happy homes

The neighbourhood is located between Elardus Park and Moreleta Park and borders on Erasmuskloof to its north. This location ensures easy access to main roads like Delmas Road, and is close to the main Pretoria East roads like De Villebois-Mareuil and Solomon Mahlangu Drive.

But what makes Wingate Park a special suburb to live in? “The suburb is well-designed filled with family homes, close to what you need and far enough from the hustle and bustle to enjoy a quiet lifestyle,” says Megan.

ingate Park is a smallish well-established and beautiful treefilled suburb just south-east of Pretoria, close to the Rigel Avenue interchange off the N1.

THE PARK CENTRE

It boasts the landmark Wingate Park Country Club established in 1947, and almost touches on the lovely Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve – these two green areas enhance the beauty and serenity of the neighbourhood. Property in Wingate Park is soughtafter and rather scarce, but generally offers lots of space and comprise some smaller townhouses suitable for young and small families as well as big traditional homes ranging from three- to seven-bedroom buildings.

Gary and Megan Musk have lived in the same house in Wingate Park for 30 years.

When the Musks were looking for an outlying (at the time) neighbourhood east of the city, Wingate Park’s favourable location close to schools caught their attention. Wingate Park is a quiet residential suburb with not much economic activities going on. “The suburb itself does not have lots of recreational attractions and places of entertainment. However, the Pretoria Chinese School in the centre of the suburb often has activities, and residents are enthusiastically supporting them.”

BUSINESS INSIDER Little Umhlanga Guesthouse is owned by Carina and Johann Lubbe, residents of Wingate Park for the past 10 years. This guesthouse offers safe, affordable accommodation in a welcoming and caring atmosphere. “Wingate Park is the ideal location for our business. It’s centrally located within easy access of the N1 and R21 highways, and it’s only a 30-minute drive to OR Tambo International Airport,” says Carina. “We’re within walking distance of a primary school and a high school, with Kloof Hospital just around the corner, and Wingate Park Country Club only a stone’s throw away from us.” Little Umhlanga Guest House do not only cater to people visiting the aforementioned venues, but regularly hosts people who attend shows at Menlyn or international visitors who prefer to stay in Pretoria. “Despite its proximity to main roads, Wingate Park is surprisingly quiet and has a relaxing atmosphere.”

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The Musks noted some changes in the sociability of the community over the past 30 years. “This is not unique to Wingate Park but rather a national tendency due to socioeconomic reasons. Many people now have high walls around their properties and avoid walking in the streets.” This impacts on the openness of communities countrywide. “The portion of Wingate Park that we live in is lovely, where people still tend their sidewalks, walk their dogs and wave at each other.” Carina Lubbe says there are good safety measures in place in Wingate Park, and she stresses the positive influence of two prominent security companies in the neighbourhood.

Downtime

Residents tend to spend weekends at home enjoying the peace and serenity of their gardens and lovely trees in the hood. Families get together, braai and have a good time at their own homes. However, everything else is just a short drive away. Golf-playing residents have a choice of courses in the vicinity, like Wingate Golf Club, Kimiad Golf Course and Woodhill Golf Course. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy a short hike through the Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve with its many footpaths, rich birdlife and game that can be seen from the stoep of the well-known old Farmhouse later turned into the Rademeyer’s Restaurant. Rietvlei Nature Reserve offers a host of outdoor activities to every member of the family. Big-city entertainment is also just around the corner. In addition to many smaller shopping centres in and around the neighbourhood, Menlyn Maine with its state-of-theart live entertainment venue and Menlyn shopping centre with all its movie theatres, restaurants and games arcade, are easily and quickly accessible from Wingate Park.

ADVERTISING SALES: Call us for advertising opportunities on 087 828 0423 Production: Lucea Goosen pretoria@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Chantelle Balsdon chantelle@augmentcreative.com

2 FEBRUARY 2020

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

SHOPPING

What I love most about Wingate Park is the quiet, peacefulness and safety, the established gardens and beautiful trees…

• • • • •

CARINE LUBBE, RESIDENT FOR 10 YEARS

Castle Walk Shopping Centre Elardus Park Shopping Centre Moreleta Park Lifestyle Centre Olive Wood Shopping Centre Winmore Village

GREEN SPACES • Wingate Park Country Club and golf course • Moreletakloof Nature Reserve • Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve • Wolwespruit Bike Park • Green belts alongside main roads in the area

MEDICAL FACILITIES NEARBY

For a typical property in this area You’ll pay

R19,194 per month

• Pretoria Chinese School: independent school from junior preparatory to Grade 12 • Carpe Diem Academy: independent high school • Hoërskool Waterkloof • Glenstantia Primary School • Laerskool Constantiapark • Laerskool Elarduspark

For sale

For rent

Median asking price

R1,989m

R14,700

For a typical property (four-bedroom house)

R1,372,500 In a complex

CONVENIENCE • Engen Garstkloof Filling Station • BP at the corner of Hesketh Drive and De Villebois-Mareuil Road • Total Elardus Park

For a typical property (three-bedroom house) COMPLEX

Monthly bond repayments

SCHOOLS

Netcare Pretoria East Mediclinic Kloof Hospital Netcare Unitas Hospital Cure Day Hospitals Erasmuskloof Life Wilgers Hospital

COMPLEX

• Wingate Park Country Club Restaurant: tried and tested in lovely green surroundings • The Hangover Sports Bar: Portuguese cuisine, pizzas, pub grubs, live entertainment • Coco Bistro Castle Walk: multicuisined, family-friendly restaurant • Elephant & Friends: cosy, good food, vibey entertainment • KFC, Fishaways, Steers: fresh takeaway food just around the corner in Elardus Park

• • • • •

21%

R7,500 In a complex

R5,500

For a garden cottage

APARTMENT

EAT

15%

23%

over a period of 20 years at 9.75% prime

For an apartment

R1,995m For a house

R6,900

For an apartment

R15,500 For a house

54% 8%

HOUSE

median asking price

79%

R750,000 HOUSE

R1,989m

GARDEN COTTAGE

Based on

The data reflected herein represents data that is voluntarily obtained from subscribers of the Private Property South Africa website and is based solely on data collected by Private Property South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Further, the data reflected herein is accurate as per the Private Property South Africa database dated 31 October 2019. Reliance on such data is at the sole discretion of subscribers and Private Property South Africa hereby indemnifies itself of any consequence of such reliance.

PROPERTY NEWS

2 FEBRUARY 2020

Neighbourhood

Master of your universe These must-have tech gadgets will put whole-home control in the palm of your hand

WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER

Artificial intelligence

echnology and its influence in our homes continues to alter and better our daily lives.

Tech gurus say that a ramping up of artificial intelligence (AI) will probably trump most other tech issues in 2020. For many homes, AI has become an integral part of life, as you watch your toddler speak comfortably to Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. But for many, these are not that simple to grasp or, certainly, set up, so most homeowners use them only for basic tasks.

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Watch out for 2020 innovation here, where these task masters will be doing a great deal more than selecting your favourite tune – they’ll be taking phone calls, controlling lights, opening curtains and updating shopping lists. Thankfully, as technology advances, the main players have recognised that to become mainstream, they need to talk to each other. Amazon, Apple and Google are working together to make smart home products compatible with one other. With big names in various giants globally paying attention now, the tech industry is expecting a breakthrough, and, wait for it, emotion recognition is on the radar. High-performing AI chips (neuromorphic or brain

chips), mimic the structure of the brain and process top AI algorithms. Life is going to get even more interesting.

Internet of Things (IoT)

For those who’re not au fait with IoT, it’s essentially a network of interconnected things or devices embedded with various forms of technology, which enables them to collect and exchange data. So, for example, your cellphone talks to your security system or your heating, airconditioning, lighting and so on. We’re able to operate so many gadgets and systems remotely, but that list will increase. More smart technology means less people are required, of course. With the lightning speed of 5G on the horizon – the advent of the fourth industrial revolution – the number of connected devices and mainstream IoT applications is likely to rise substantially across multiple industries. Major changes are on the horizon.

Water

Finding innovative ways to capture, store, use and reuse water has to be a key feature of 2020 in South Africa, but so, too, will be the advances in technology so we’re able to do all that efficiently. New-build homes will have built-in systems, and as we rely less on municipalities and more on ourselves (and entrepreneurs), many

more homes will be retrofitted with simple and increasingly smart systems. Technology will also play a role in auto-limiting our use, so although timers aren’t new, they’re getting far smarter and easier to use – your shower will cut off after a few minutes…

Electricity

What is there to say? We’re going to be doing it for ourselves, and the various technologies and applications are becoming more affordable, more streamlined, and smarter. Who would consider a new build without these assets?

Transport

Autonomous driving being perfected, hybrid or battery vehicles with chargers at home, or – hey – no vehicle at all? With the numerous “taxi” type services available, it’s predicted that in the not too distant future, new homes won’t need garages, because polluting cars – and stressful traffic – are not part of tomorrow. Use the space for parking for the Uber driver’s car when he draws up to your home?

Online shopping

It’s not only here to stay, it’s ramping up to better response times, and, say the gurus, drone delivery. New homes will be designed with drone landing hatches up on roofs, maybe even a refrigerated section…

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2 FEBRUARY 2020

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

CTN tourism property market set for growth W

Properties bordering Sandton performing well R

andburg properties – especially those located in the areas bordering Sandton – are sought-after for many reasons, according to Duane Butler, general manager, Seeff Randburg.

still has many family homes located close to important business nodes. “Demand for properties near good schools is still recognised with especially the Linden area showing incredible investment opportunity.”

Not only does Randburg offer a wide variety of suburbs to suit every pocket, but suburbs like Greenside, Linden and Jukskei Park (all bordering Sandton) are generally also more affordably priced than the Sandton suburbs. Another benefit is that these suburbs offer easy accessibility to the Sandton CBD where many of the residents are employed.

Says Butler, “Investors that obtained property in Linden a few years ago would certainly appreciate the gem in their property portfolio today. For example, property prices of freehold homes in Linden escalated from a mere R1,45m for an average home in 2009 to an average price of R2,65m last year. Sectional title units in the suburb started at an average price of R780,000 in 2009 and are now averaging at around R1,85m.

Butler says Greenside is an excellent example of one such suburb that offers close proximity to the CBD, while also boasting excellent growth in property values at the same time. “According to Lightstone, the median price of freehold property here increased from an average of R1,8m in 2009 to an average price of R3m in 2019.” Butler continues that while lifestyle estates in Sandton and Fourways are especially attractive to many upper-end buyers, Randburg’s appeal lies in the fact that the area

“In addition to topclass schooling, Linden also offers a variety of eclectic restaurants and trendy coffee shops as well as an array of property options for potential investors to choose from.” Butler adds that the demand for homes in the northern region of Randburg close to the Fourways business node is also continuously on the rise. “To this end Jukskei Park provides an excellent investment

opportunity with lower rates and taxes than in Sandton, while also still offering easy accessibility to the Fourways business node. If you purchased a property in Jukskei Park a few years ago you will definitely be reaping the rewards today as average property prices here have increased from R1,09m in 2009 to R1,85m in 2019.

hen looking at South Africa’s international tourist arrivals over the past few years, the future looks promising, despite a slight dip in numbers last year. And Cape Town is undoubtedly leading the pack. Tourist accommodation providers, particularly those focussed on the higher-end and luxury side of the market, stand to benefit most from the ongoing growth. “The prospective growth in tourist arrivals will require us to expand the number of rooms available – not just conventional hotel rooms but particularly serviced holiday villas, self-catering apartments, and aparthotels. Aparthotels have become immensely popular in Europe and the US and are a fast-growing category of tourist accommodation,” says Francois van Zyl, partner, 12Cape, an investment fund that owns Latitude Aparthotel in Sea Point. “Aparthotels offer guests the flexibility of a self-catering apartment with the comfort of hotel-like amenities, which is perfect for holidaymakers and business travellers alike.” Says Van Zyl, “Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard

is not only prime real estate, but also a long-standing tourist hotspot among foreign and local holidaymakers. Apart from its natural beauty and myriad lifestyle amenities, it’s also ideally located for visitors to access the city centre and various attractions like the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain. We believe the Atlantic Seaboard will experience the highest demand growth for new tourist accommodation units over the next few years,” Van Zyl says. Besides the growing demand, what makes property in the Atlantic Seaboard an attractive investment opportunity is that it’s still relatively “cheap” when compared to similar holiday destinations in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia. “One square meter of luxury real estate in Cape Town costs on average 60% less than in other coastal tourist hotspots,” he explains.

“Prime property, the world over, has always yielded steady returns because of the limited supply and the continually increasing demand for it. The Atlantic Seaboard has proven this for decades, which is why 12Cape focusses exclusively on investing in this area.”

“The average buyer profile in Jukskei Park is also a much younger buyer. This stimulates growth and renewal due to upgrades and renovations on property.” Butler concludes that the proposed extension to the existing Gautrain station between Sandton and Cosmo City as well as the link with Lanseria Airport should prompt demand for various surrounding areas and create a positive stimulus for the suburbs nearby. “When the proposed Gautrain station in Randburg takes effect, owning an investment property in an area like Ferndale for instance could be a very good asset. Other areas for investors to consider include Randpark Ridge, Sundowner and Northcliff.”

The South African Reserve Bank has lowered the repo rate and this is a hugely welcome move for the property industry. This coupled with inflation at a lower rate than last year at this time, theoretically means that those currently paying off bonds should make a huge effort to pay the instalments they were previously paying into a bond, and even a little bit more if possible every month, to save on interest and shorten the ultimate payback period. The lower repo rate also means that banks are likely to be more and more lenient when approving bonds, and this means that buyers will be able to commit, especially since property prices have levelled off in several areas, and we have now definitely shifted into a buyer’s market making this an ideal time to purchase property. Those looking for an investment property to rent out would do particularly well to purchase now, as incoming rental can stretch further to assist in paying off the interestbearing portion of a bond. MIKE GREEFF, CEO, GREEFF CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

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stneighbourhood.co.za | 2 FEBRUARY 2020