Neighbourhood 2 SEPTEMBER 2018
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Crystal clear With the spectacular lifestyle centre launching soon, units at The Blyde are selling fast, page 5 2
SUBURB FOCUS: THE REEDS
yourneighbourhood.co.za
4
BUSINESS Q&A
6
SPRING-CLEANING 101
Connecting homeowners with great communities
2
PROPERTY NEWS
2 SEPTEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
The Reeds Here’s what’s happening in property in the area WORDS: BETSIE LOOCK-VAN DER MERWE IMAGES: RENE WALKER & GOOGLE MAPS
*Map not to scale
S
ituated between the N14 and N1 highways and close to the R55, R101 and Brakfontein Road, The Reeds is the perfect location to call home for middle-income residents commuting between the Tshwane metropole and Joburg or Krugersdorp and even Ekurhuleni. This central position also results in the suburb offering comfortable access to Lanseria International Airport, OR Tambo International, as well as the Gautrain network. The leafy older parts of the neighbourhood were established in the early 1980s while new developments are taking place at a steady pace. Even so, the area still boasts a tranquil residential ambience and offers a community-oriented lifestyle close to amenities like churches, schools, hospitals, shopping and business services and various recreational facilities close by.
Property Almost 65% of residential properties in The Reeds belong to well-established owners under the age of 50, while only 5,6% of these property owners are aged over 65. The real-estate market in this area is aimed mainly at startup individuals and young families. Buyers can enter the market at around R550,000 to R 600,000 for a single one-bedroom stacked apartment. There are many townhouse complexes comprising compact two- and threebedroom units in The Reeds. These range in size and price from about R700,000 to more than R1,2m. Freestanding houses are available in estates, but there are also a lot of freestanding properties available in the older established residential part for those who prefer to live on their own private stand. These properties sell for between R1,3m and R1,4m on average but, depending on size, can exceed R2m.
Schooling
Uitsig Primary School is conveniently located in the heart of The Reeds. The school played a pioneering role in introducing the first designated African-languages classroom at a government school in Centurion – the first official isiZulu and Setswana classes were presented in January 2013. Jacaranda College and PrePrimary is an independent school in the suburb offering education to learners from Grade RR to Grade 7. Laerskool Rooihuiskraal is situated just north of The Reeds in the bordering suburb of Rooihuiskraal. Hoërskool Uitsig is located a few minutes’ drive from Uitsig Primary School and offers quality secondary-phase education. The school was established in 1991 and currently has over 1,100 learners. Curro Thatchfield Independent School in The Reeds’ western neighbour PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING 1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga Roads Milnerton, Cape Town
Thatchfield, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. The school offers private education from Grade 1 to Grade 12, while Curro Castle Thatchfield offers pre-primary classes.
Explore
Residents of The Reeds have easy access to the wealth of sport, leisure and entertainment facilities that both Centurion and Midrand have to offer. In addition to the local Blu Valley Mall that meets all daily shopping requirements, the bigger Mall@ Reds with movie theatres and restaurants, as well as the superregional Centurion Mall with even more stores, movie theatres and restaurants, are situated a stone’s throw away from The Reeds. Should one really want to go big on the retail therapy, the new and comprehensive Mall of Africa in Midrand is only a 20-minute drive from The Reeds. For those who are more active, the neighbouring areas offer an exceptionally wide choice of golf courses within a short distance from The Reeds, namely Thatchfield Par 3 Golf Course, Copperleaf Golf Course, Blue Valley Golf Course, Midstream, Irene Country Club and even more further afield. The nearby Panorama Golf Range in Rooihuiskraal also has a kids’ playground and hosts regular events like music shows, markets and food stalls. Other nearby sport facilities include Uitsig Squash Club, SuperSport Park and Zwartkops Raceway. The Rooihuiskraal Historical Terrain and Animal Farm is the ideal spot for picnicking with the kids. Parents can spoil the youngsters with a visit to Go-Play Kids Indoor Play Centre or take them on an interesting and informative trip to Coin World at the nearby South African Mint. Treat dad to a tour at the SAB World of Beer in Midrand, while moms would enjoy a day of pampering at Hoogland Health Hydro, about a 30-minute drive from The Reeds.
EDITORIAL TEAM:
ADVERTISING SALES:
Group Editor: Charis Le Riche charisl@yourneighbourhood.co.za Senior Sub-Editor: Marana Brand Designers: Anja Bramley, Samantha Durand and Leah de Jager
Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423 Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info Production (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen pretoria@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Chantelle Balsdon chantelle@augmentcreative.com
2 SEPTEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
SHOP: • Blu Valley Mall: local convenience • Mall@Reds: wide variety • Oriental City Centurion: crafters’ paradise • Gateway Corner: popular stores like Hirsch’s, Food Lovers Market, Westpack, Meat World, and Liquor City • Centurion Lifestyle Centre: more than 90 stores to choose from
s s Grade
re both ffer.
The Reeds is a suburb catering to families. There is an enormous amount of creches, nurseries, playgroups and day mothers in the area to choose from. We also have excellent primary and good high schools. FAYE ADAMS, RESIDENT
HOSPITALS: • • • • •
Mediclinic Midstream Netcare Unitas Hospital Blu Valley Medical Centre Medipark 24 Rooihuiskraal Municipal Clinic
For sale
For rent
Median asking price:
Median asking price:
R1,4m
ain
ld
3
• Pizza Perfect, Blu Valley Mall: local, casual-dining favourite • Steers and Fishaways, Blu Valley Mall: a quick bite or take it away • Grey Owl Spur Steak Ranch: family-style grill restaurant • Ga Rouge Restaurant & Wine Cellar: upmarket dining experience and walk-in wine cellar • Hogshead, Mall@Reds: craft beer, grill and smokehouse
ld ail ve
ts it e
PROPERTY NEWS
EAT:
n
om r3 rse, m, e ma has ar and ilities Sport
R8,945
Monthly bond repayments
For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
For a typical property in this area
R1,01m
R750,000
R1,45m
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
You’ll pay
R13,510
R8,700
R6,400
R8,945
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
per month
Property type:
50% house
12%
apartment
38% complex
Property type: Based on
50% house
R1,4m
22%
median asking price
over a period of 20 years at 10% prime
apartment
28% complex
4
PROPERTY NEWS
2 SEPTEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
My business neighbourhood Mrs Yum Yums Bakery offers baked goods with an old-fashioned feel in Amandasig and Elardus Park WORDS: ZENA LE ROUX
IMAGES: SUPPLIED
allowed anywhere near the stove. It has always been my passion. I didn’t have a job, and I have always baked for my family and friends, and I thought I’d give it a go. I started selling my cakes in 2016. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: I bake the cakes from my home in Amandasig. I also bake from my parents’ home in Elardus Park. These locations are perfect as most of my regular clients live close by. I couldn’t have asked for better. Q: How did you find your premises? A: My husband had been living in Amandasig before we tied the knot and it seemed a perfect choice to settle down. I also work from my parents’ home in Elardus Park as they have a space available for me.
M
rs Yum Yums Bakery makes beautiful cakes all from scratch with only the best ingredients. Owner Aurelia de Jongh tells us more. Q: How did your business start? A: I started baking and cooking at a very young age, even before I was
Q: Why are they ideally suited to your business? A: It’s close to most of my regular clients. The two different locations that I work from are also ideal, as it puts me in contact with two different client bases. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: My neighbours are just normal families, regular people that support me a great deal. Q: What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area? A: Because I work from home, I don’t
pay any shop rent which I’m very grateful for. Amandasig has been growing rapidly and, therefore, the prices of houses have become more and more expensive. My parents have been renting their home in Elardus Park for about 15 years, with prices increasing annually. It would cost you around R15,000 to R19,000 a month to rent a small house. Q: How many people visit your business each day? A: I have around six clients who pick up their orders on a daily basis. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: Yes, I will be opening a store in the near future, and I plan on helping those who have the same passion to live out their dreams. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: Yes, I do, mostly through my Facebook page. Q: What’s your most popular item? A: My custom cakes and cupcakes.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Mrs Yum Yums Bakery 082 729 0915 bit.ly/2Lmf3ja
19880
GET A HOME LOAN
AND SAVE UP TO R6 000 With a home loan from Nedbank you could qualify for a 100% bond. And, if you earn R23 300 or less a month, you save up to R6 000 on upfront fees. You also get a 30% discount on the attorney bond registration fee. ANOTHER WAY WE GET YOUR MONEY TO BACK YOU Visit Nedbank today.
see money differently Terms and conditions apply. | Nedbank Ltd Reg No 1951/000009/06. Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16).
6
PROPERTY NEWS
2 SEPTEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Growing demand for sectional titles
A
significant number of investors aiming to downsize from larger properties are setting their sights on the Cape Town City Bowl. “Sectional-title ownership has risen in popularity over the past 10 years. Issues of affordability for many buyers make sectional-title choices more appealing. Asking prices tend to be proportionately lower for sectionaltitle than freehold ownership. Factors such as security, communal living and fixed monthly costs in the form of levies, add to the appeal for buyers looking to downsize,” says RE/MAX Living sales associate David Spence. This demand is further emphasised by increases in the average sales prices for sectional-title property across Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof
and Gardens. Gardens has seen the greatest increase in average sales prices for sectional-title properties in the City Bowl with 11,2% from July 2017 to 2018. Vredehoek saw average sale-price increases in freehold and sectional-title properties of 18,7% and 8,8% respectively. Over the past 12 months, Higgovale has achieved the highest average freehold sales prices in the City Bowl, with Oranjezicht coming in second. The average sales prices of sectional-title properties have seen demand for Vredehoek climb. Oranjezicht saw the highest investment in the City Bowl from buyers, with combined sales of R325m, yet this is down 21,5% compared to combined sales of R414m the previous year.
It’s clear that taxation is a significant factor for any investor, and the implications of ownership for the next generation should always be considered when making the decision to purchase an offshore property GEORGE RADFORD, HEAD: AFRICA, IP GLOBAL
Landscaping meets building design in Pran Boulevard
L
ocated on Umhlanga Rocks Drive in the Ridgeside precinct in Umhlanga, Pran Boulevard consists of two separate office buildings of three levels each above ground floor, linked together on each level with enclosed glazed bridges. There are three parking levels providing about 250 parking bays, as well as a ground-floor podium level with timber decks, walkways, landscaping, and water features. The total building area, including the parking levels, is about 18,600m². Paragon was commissioned by Shree Property Holdings to design the landscaping as part of the holistic design of the project. This meant using the building’s design language throughout the landscaping. “The client gave us the design freedom to sculpt the landscaping to complement the buildings’ angular and
distinctive design,” project architect Jurie Geldenhuys comments. A four-star Green Star rating was the target from the offset, which the project received in May this year. Over and above these specific client requirements, Paragon also had to adhere to the very specific requirements of the Ridgeside Management Association (RMA) concerning the treatment of corner sites in the precinct, as set out in the RMA Design Guidelines Volume 0 and 1. These guidelines relate to planting types, which had to be presented and approved by the RMA Design Review Committee. The guidelines also include planting recommended for use on specific streets, that 90% of all planting is to be indigenous, and that the landscaping plans are to list and motivate plant types to be used for approval.
Bridgestone South Africa’s new HQ
T
he new Bridgestone South Africa headquarters will be ideally situated between Joburg and Pretoria within the rising commercial city of the Waterfall City development in Midrand to accommodate business growth, support collaboration, enhance operations and provide an easily accessible location that is central even for customers. “We’re honoured that Bridgestone has entrusted Abland to develop their new offices as part of our Waterfall Precinct development, which is set to become one of the largest motor nodes in South Africa. We’re committed to ensuring we bring their vision to life and make
this an exciting place of work for all employees,” says Grant Silverman, marketing and leasing director, Abland. The site will be one of the largest motoring cities in Gauteng and home to flagship car brands such as BMW. Poised to be the new CBD of Gauteng, Waterfall is rapidly developing into a true lifestyle and blue-chip business destination in Joburg and it’s the growth node of Gauteng. The business precinct is seen as the economic hub of the African continent. Bridgestone expects to move into the new and modern premises in February next year and start trading on 1 April.
Spring into cleaning It’s a great time to leap into action and give your space a deep clean WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
P
sychologists (and cleaning companies) report that clients who take charge of cleaning and organising, also take charge of their general health. In a nutshell, spring cleaning, says American psychologist Dr Jonathan Fader, has been associated with improved mood, decreased stress, and heightened creativity. Opening windows and letting in fresh air, eradicating everything from mould to stale smells, lift our spirits and give us a fresh start.
Washing machine
Washing machine interiors can become grubby, even emitting an odour. Disinfect with white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (add a quarter cup bicarbonate of soda to a quarter cup water to the detergent container, and two cups vinegar into the drum). Run hot water into the machine – don’t let the machine drain – switch off, and allow this to sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Restart the machine, drain the water, and wipe it dry.
Bedding
Your duvets, under-blankets, and comforters need an intermittent refresh – two to three times a year. Read the manufacturer’s label – most will go into
your washing machine quite happily, otherwise, hand wash or dry clean.
of white vinegar on the bottom, let it bubble, then wipe with a sponge.
Beds
Carpets
For stains, make a paste of lemon juice and salt, or mix borax into a paste with a little water. Apply the mixture to the stain, work it in lightly, and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes. Wipe off with a clean towel or vacuum. Refresh your bed, and even give it a nice scent. There are a few recommended methods, but the most popular is to spray the mattress very lightly with vinegar, then lightly sieve bicarbonate of soda over that. Leave it for a few hours, then vacuum up any remaining soda. Many essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties, so you can mix a tiny quantity into your bicarbonate of soda – smells good too, and can aid sleep.
Oven
That burning smell when you put on the oven, means it’s time to clean it. There are a few alternatives, but this works: chip off any loose, burnt pieces; spritz them with ammonia. Now sprinkle bicarbonate of soda and a few drops
Experts suggest deep cleaning high-traffic areas three to four times a year, and other lesser used ones, once or twice, even 18 months for, say, a bedroom. You can do this yourself by renting a machine, or call in your favourite carpet cleaner. If you have loose rugs, clean them every four or five years — or every 10 years if a rug is not walked on much. Overcleaning contributes to wear and tear.
Tiles
Clean kitchen and bathroom tiles with a cleaner with a neutral pH. Alternatively, pour half a cup of bicarbonate of soda into four litres of water, and apply the liquid with a mop. For grout, use the same mixture, but for tough stains, call in the pros.
Patio furniture
Furniture which stays outside is prone to mildew, and it will get dirty. Mix two cups white vinegar and two tablespoons dishwashing liquid in a bucket of hot water. Work it into the grooves of the plastic, rinse with cold water, and dry in the sun.
AGENTS ARE EXPERT PROBLEM SOLVERS
Negotiating is a tricky business and contracts can be problematic. Are you familiar with legalities or how to ensure that a contract protects you? Registered estate agents are licensed professionals with experience of moving transactions forward smoothly.
Another good reason why you should use an estate agent
www.rebosa.co.za
REAL ESTATE BUSINESS OWNERS OF SOUTH AFRICA