Neighbourhood 6 AUGUST 2017
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Home base With upmaket apartments, old-fashioned homes and top amenities, Brooklyn satisfies all homeowners' needs, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: BROOKLYN
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BUSINESS Q&A
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PROPERTY NEWS
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PROPERTY NEWS
6 AUGUST 2017
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
Brooklyn Here’s what’s happening in property in the area WORDS: BETSIE LOOCK-VAN DER MERWE
IMAGES: RENE HUGO, ANTON SCHOLTZ & SUPPLIED
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DINE OUT: • Kream Restaurant: for a delicious and elegant meal out • Geet Indian Restaurant: for fantastic Indian cuisine • Moo Moo Wine Bar and Grill: for friendly and tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner • Capeesh Restaurant: for mouthwatering Italian cuisine
he suburb of Brooklyn in Pretoria was established as an upper-income neighbourhood in 1902. Even though many generations have since come and gone and many new developments have popped up, the neighbourhood has retained its original character and old-world flair.
The well-known Brooklyn Mall has served residents of the area since 1989 and, with the adjoining Brooklyn Square, offers comprehensive shopping facilities, exclusive boutiques, a variety of coffee shops and restaurants as well as Ster-Kinekor and Cinema Nouveau movie theatres.
Brooklyn is strategically located just east of the city centre and with its neighbouring suburbs – Waterkloof, Menlo Park, Hatfield, Bailey's Muckleneuk, Nieuw Muckleneuk and Groenkloof – forms the area known as the Old East. These suburbs are highly sought-after not only because of their convenient and quick access to main roads, such as Duncan Street, Lynnwood Road, Atterbury Road, Justice Mahomed Street (previously Charles Street) and the N1 highway, but also because of the peaceful atmosphere in its jacaranda-lined residential area.
Brooklyn is also home to Pretoria Boys High School. Many of Pretoria’s top schools are located within a 5km radius of the suburb, such as Brooklyn Primary School, Laerskool Pretoria Oos, Pretoria High School for Girls, Menlo Park High School, Crawford College Pretoria and TuksSport High School. The University of Pretoria (Tukkies) is 2km away from Brooklyn and the Unisa main campus is about 5km away.
“Brooklyn has beautiful large and spacious properties,” says resident, Faye Blenkinsop. Another resident, Carlize van Aswegen, says the combination of modern architectural styles and the timeless elegance of the Victorian and Edwardian eras is especially appealing. Brooks House, for example, represents the Cape Dutch architectural style. According to some sources, the original homestead was built by James Brooks after he purchased land that would eventually form part of the suburb in 1886. Brooks was involved in the layout of this new township.
The suburb appeals to the business sector as well and has many legal, financial and medical firms. There are no less than seven large hospitals within a 10km radius of the Brooklyn circle. Brooklyn and surrounds boast many beautiful parks where residents can enjoy the lovely scenery and some fresh air. People aspiring to make this affluent neighbourhood their home have various options – from swanky upmarket apartments and comfy townhouses, to charming old-fashioned family homes and stately residences that can easily accommodate large families.
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND BROOKLYN: • Visit the Van Wouw Museum at the University of Pretoria’s Old Arts Building. • Play a round of golf at the Pretoria Country Club. • Enjoy a family outing to the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary. • Watch a musical performance at the Brooklyn Theatre.
ACCOMMODATION: • • • • •
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6 AUGUST 2017
Neighbourhood
For rent
Median asking prices
Median monthly asking prices
For a typical rental property (three-bedroom house)
R3,01m
R4,93m
R14,460
For a house
For an apartment
In a complex
Property type 68% house
Monthly bond repayments For a typical property in this area
R18,580 For an apartment
R19,380 For a house
Property type
22%
apartment You’ll pay
57%
10%
31%
house
complex Based on
R33,376 per month
3
R19,250
For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
In a complex
PROPERTY NEWS
For sale
R3,4m
R2,21m
apartment
over a period of
at
20
10,5%
years
prime
R3,4m median asking price
WHY WE LOVE BROOKLYN MALL AND BROOKLYN SQUARE Offering approximately 220 specialist retail stores and an assortment of restaurants and coffee bars, Brooklyn Mall and Brooklyn Square have something for everyone. If it’s entertainment you’re looking for, there are nine cinemas, which present the latest blockbusters, as well as five Cinema Nouveau theatres. The centre also hosts regular events that attract visitors from around Gauteng. Brooklyn Mall and Brooklyn Square are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 9am to 5pm. Find out more at brooklynmall.co.za.
Brooklyn is incredibly beautiful in spring when the jacarandas are in full bloom MARIE WILLEMSE, RESIDENT
12%
complex
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PROPERTY NEWS
6 AUGUST 2017
Neighbourhood
My business neighbourhood Kids Emporium stocks a range of items that help people enjoy the journey of parenthood WORDS & IMAGE: LISA DEWBERRY
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ids Emporium is a nationwide chain of children’s boutiques. Bettie van der Merwe and Claire Mare, owners of the outlet in Menlyn Retail Park shopping centre, have always had a big love for children. We chat with them to find out more about their business. Q: How did your business start? A: My mom and I decided to open the store in Menlyn after opening our first store in Irene Village Mall, as we wanted to have a store in the east of Pretoria and loved the Menlyn area. I’d always dreamed of having my own business and grew up in a house with parents who were entrepreneurs. After matric, I completed a degree in business with honours in economics, which has helped in the management of my business. I have a big love for children and people, so retail comes naturally to me, and I love spending time with clients and sharing in their journey of becoming parents. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: I wanted a location that was centrally located in the east of Pretoria. Menlyn is an established area that is central to all Pretoria East suburbs. We liked that it’s
easily accessible from the highway, main roads and suburbs. Q: How did you find your premises? A: We know the area of Menlyn well and began looking for a location in April 2014. While driving around the city, we found a big space at the Menlyn Retail Park shopping centre and fell in love with the property. Most pregnant ladies – our target market – don’t want to visit big busy malls and this centre is easily accessible and convenient for them to visit. We moved into the store in November 2014. Q: Why are the premises ideally suited to your business? A: We have a lovely large corner store with beautiful display windows. It’s big enough to display our furniture, travel items, maternity wear and accessories. We have ample parking right in front of our store, which is ideal for moms-to-be. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: We love our neighbours Der Zucker Backer, Metro, The Meeting Place and the Post Office. Q: What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area? A: The rental in this area is between R30,000 and R60,000 per month. Q: How many people go through your store each day? A: The number of visitors to our store varies between 25 and 45 people on slow days and up to about 50 people on busy days.
3 bed 2 bath
R2 400 000 NORTHCLIFF
Hi James, I’m interested in the 3 bed in Northcliff. Let’s set up a time to take a look!
South Africa’s favourite property website.
A home for everyone www.privateproperty.co.za
Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: We don’t at the moment, but over and above our normal merchandise, we offer an interior decorating service, a personal shopper service and guest registries. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: Yes, you can visit our website (kidsemporium.co.za) and we’re also on Facebook (facebook.com/ IreneVillageMallANDMenlyn RetailPark) and Instagram (@ke_pretoria). Q: What's your most popular item? A: Our most popular products are our nursery and furniture items, maternity wear, christening wear and soft toys.
I have a big love for children... I love spending time with clients and sharing in their journey of becoming parents
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Kids Emporium 012 754 7574 kidsemporium.co.za
6 AUGUST 2017
Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
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Zero-2-One Tower
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ealth Migrate, the global online real estate investment marketplace, announced the launch of its latest real estate investment opportunity, the Zero-2-One Tower: a new R1,5bn development by FWJK, earlier this year. Listed at number 42 on the 2016 KPMG Top 50 Global FinTech Companies, the global start-up which launched directly into the global marketplace has now extended its footprint to include South Africa, based on client demand.
Zero-2-One Tower, in Cape Town’s CBD – on the corner of Strand Street and Adderley Street – will be the tallest building in Cape Town. It will comprise 42 storeys, be approximately 148m in height and cover a floor area of 44,000m², which will include retail space at ground level and 618 apartments. It will also have a viewing deck open to the public. Construction is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2017 and is set to be completed in March 2020.
Homes could offer similar features and be situated in the same neighbourhood, but distinguishing aspects could have one valued at a higher price than the other. Determining the right asking price can only be done if all the influences are considered and weighed in. An experienced real estate professional who markets homes in the area will be a valuable tool in finding the right price to list the property. ADRIAN GOSLETT, REGIONAL DIRECTOR AND CEO, RE/MAX OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
Mykonos Marina Development in Langebaan
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Co-ownership When you buy a property with someone, you need to take precautions and have watertight legal documentation WORDS: ANNE SCHUAFFER IMAGE: ISTOCK
TOP TIP: If there’s a mortgage bond registered on the property and one co-owner doesn’t pay their share of the debt, the co-owners are all jointly liable to the bank.
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hen you buy a property as an individual or as a married couple, there’s a well-trodden path with clear legal documentation to protect you. But what if you aren’t married? What if you and a partner, friend or relative would like to buy an investment apartment together? If you’re a seasoned investor, you’ll have a blueprint for this type of transaction, but if not, you need to take care. Relationships splinter, friends drift apart and each person will have different life events impact their finances. The best advice is to treat the legal aspects as if you’re two strangers, ignore the excitement of the purchase and focus on the worst-case-scenario so you can achieve the best outcome. Maria Davey, partner, Meumann White Attorneys, says, “You need an agreement setting out rights and obligations of each party and dealing with issues such as what happens if the relationship breaks down, or one person wants out of the agreement for any reason; if the property is to be sold, what happens if the two parties don’t agree? And how are the sale proceeds to be divided? Rather include as much fine detail as you can, rather than have misunderstandings thereafter… like who is responsible for paying bills and keeping records of expenses – a critical issue, particularly when you come to sell and need to account to SARS for profits.”
Maria suggests that if you’re planning to purchase a property jointly with someone other than a spouse, enter into a co-ownership agreement. “Young people are increasingly viewing this as a better financial option over co-renting. Apart from that sense of ownership, there’s a good chance over time of capital appreciation. With co-ownership, the property as a whole is co-owned; no single part of the property is owned solely by one of the co-owners.” This type of agreement doesn’t mean shares held by the co-owners have to be equal. You can own 70% and your co-owner 30% – in that event, you would pay 70% of the purchase price and 70% of maintenance and other costs associated with the property. On the flipside, you’ll get 70% of the profit from the rental or sale of the property. If you get legal advice when drawing up the documentation, you should be able to pre-empt potential hurdles. Maria says, “One of the most common issues is when one owner wants or needs to sell. A portion of a jointly owned property can only be sold or rented out if all joint owners agree. The agreement needs to state that if one owner wants to sell their share, the remaining co-owners have first option to purchase it. If they’re unable to do so, the property must be sold as a whole and the proceeds divided as per the percentage of ownership which each person has.”
t the Cape’s West Coast, the Marina Village with the brand-new Mykonos Marina Development can be found in the marina of Club Mykonos in Langebaan. The new Mykonos Marina development was architecturally designed by Craft of Architecture and offers 25 luxury apartments. The project was inspired by the village culture of Mykonos where walkways and alleyways bend between private homes and spaces are delineated by courtyards. The uniform white aesthetic allowed the architects to stagger and step
contemporary minimalist volumes with the curve of the marina. The design encompasses a special feature of stable doors which are incorporated into the courtyard design. The Mykonos aesthetic was reinterpreted to produce modernist volumes which still tie into the greater context through unique detailing and attention to the relationship between indooroutdoor and public-private spaces. The apartments range from bachelor units (56m²), to duplexes (105m²) and penthouse units (from 124m² to 164m²).
Price to sell or stay on the market
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ccording to Steve van Wyk, MD, Seeff Centurion, if you are a seller in most areas in South Africa today, you should price your property to sell if you hope to attract buyer interest, otherwise, your property will sit on the market. Buyers currently have a choice of over 9,000 properties on the market in the Centurion area alone. This, he says, equates to 18 months’ worth of properties that must be sold without any new properties coming onto the market. At the same time, buyer enquiries have almost halved since the start of the year and we’re now in a slower period with activity only really expected to pick up from September onwards. The current recession along with negative sentiment is having an
adverse effect on property sales overall, but Seeff says that there are still plenty of opportunities for sellers. Sellers need to know that they’re now in a buyer’s market and if they’re not serious about selling, they should rather take their property off the market. The latest FNB Property Barometer points to a progressive decline, especially in the Johannesburg/Pretoria areas, insofar as price growth is concerned, while stock levels are rising rapidly. However, Van Wyk says there’ll always be an opportunity for those who are serious about selling. The latest interest rate drop will no doubt encourage more buyers, but Van Wyk says that sellers need to know that today’s buyers are smart; they know exactly what is going on in the market.
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Neighbourhood
stneighbourhood.co.za | 6 AUGUST 2017
Buy
. . . d n a t as
Stand: R589 000 up to R650 000 Building: R1 225 000
Stand: R589 000 up to R650 000 Building: From R1 150 000
Stand: R589 000 up to R650 000 Building: From R1 100 000
FAR = 120% of stand size
Neighbourhood
stneighbourhood.co.za | 6 AUGUST 2017
BUILDING PACKAGES Pretoria East
View the video of Mooikloof Country Residences on the link below: https://youtu.be/2hm6Cq07xEk
u b d an
e r d r u o y ild
! e m o h am
Stand: R589 000 up to R650 000 Building: From R1 450 000
Stand: R589 000 up to R650 000 Building: From R1 350 000
Stand: R589 000 up to R650 000 Building: From R1 200 000
WERNER EKSTEEN
RE/MAX Jowic - Team Werner Eksteen
082 411 3089
082 5774531 (OfďŹ ce) werner@wernereksteen.com
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AGENTS MOVE TRANSACTIONS FORWARD
No home is a perfect fit – not for the seller, not for the buyer. Registered estate agents know how to overcome objections on price, date of occupation, and all the nitty-gritty elements that make up a property transaction. Registered estate agents have the experience to move the transaction forward.
Another good reason why you should use an estate agent
www.rebosa.co.za
REAL ESTATE BUSINESS OWNERS OF SOUTH AFRICA
Neighbourhood
stneighbourhood.co.za | 6 AUGUST 2017
WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO SHARE OUR NEW DEVELOPMENT CALLED ARABELLA WITH YOU
Arabella is a sec�onal �tle development with all the costs included in the purchasing price. Situated in Equestria, on the Eastern side of Pretoria, Arabella has 24 access control, is pet friendly and has a communal pool. At the special price of R965,000 for a 2 bedroom & R1,150,000 for a 3 bedroom, double garage, we only have few units s�ll available. WE WILL BE ON SHOW EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY FROM 12:00 - 16:00 PM For more informa�on please contact: Aantje & Anje 083 273 9527 / 082 922 1087 from Dwelling Developments.
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Neighbourhood
stneighbourhood.co.za | 6 AUGUST 2017
Great homes make great memories, find yours
Waterkloof Park
Country View Estate
4 bed | 4 bath | R4 795 000 | ADHS:5911
R826 000 | ADHS:6254
The pride and joy of a connoisseur has now opened its doors to the next discerning buyer. This 520m2 of opulence is set in a park like atmosphere of 2000 m2 of land. Styled by a renowned architect this palatial, mediterranean styled home offers 4 levels of residence in its own comfort and splendour ticking all the boxes for a luxurious home for the entire family/extended family/guests VIEW BY APPOINTMENT DIANNE 082 957 8261 ANNALIEN 082 904 2695
LET THE FREE MARKET PREVAIL! If you are SERIOUS ABOUT BUYING IN COUNTRY VIEW ESTATE then look no further!! A NEVER TO BE MISSED OPPORTUNITY with only a few stands left in this family and pet friendly estate… And an available PLAN! CHEAPEST land on estate in PRIME CUL-DE-SAC LOCATION at R1000 per sqm. VIEW BY APPOINTMENT
DIANNE 082 957 8261 ANNALIEN 082 904 2695
The Reeds
Rooihuiskraal
Rooihuiskraal
3 bed | 2 bath | R1 345 000 | ADHS:6250
4 bed | 2 bath | R1 820 000 | ADHS:6295
4 bed | 3 bath | R1 799 000 | ADHS:6285
Lovely family home with swimming pool, large lapa & built in braai. Perfect for the entertainer! Beautiful extra-large family room with laminated wooden flooring, dimmer lights, a fireplace & an aircon! Large open plan dining area, plus a modern open plan kitchen with space for a washing machine/dishwasher, & there is also an extra water supply in the garage for extra appliances. VIEW BY APPOINTMENT MICHELE 071 965 1895 ANNALIEN 082 904 2695
Perfect for the entertainer and those that enjoy space and situated on a large stand! Offering 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 large lounges one with built in bar and braai ideal for entertaining all year round, study, big kitchen plus a separate dining room. Covered outside entertainment area with large pool and another built in braai. VIEW BY APPOINTMENT MICHELE 071 965 1895 ANNALIEN 082 904 2695
Beautiful spacious 4 Bedroom Family home with 3 bathrooms, Stunning Garden, Pool and Lapa, all situated on a large stand in a prime location! Don’t miss out on viewing this beautiful family home with a number of surprises including flatlet potential. MICHELE 071 965 1895 ANNALIEN 082 904 2695
WE WANT YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY
Rooihuiskraal
We’ll take care of all your tenant procurement needs!
4 bed | 2 bath | R1 580 000 | ADHS:6296 Situated in an excellent location with 3 bedrooms plus a large study or 4th bedroom. You decide! This lovely family home is situated in an excellent location in the upmarket suburb of Rooihuiskraal. Attractive from the outside and with a large back garden perfect for kids and animals to play in. The lounge has a fireplace perfect for those cold winter evenings and the lounge also leads out to the patio with a built in braai, perfect for those that love to entertain VIEW BY APPOINTMENT
VIEW BY APPOINTMENT
MICHELE 071 965 1895 ANNALIEN 082 904 2695
YOU DESERVE: • A knowledgeable, qualified agent to answer all your rental queries and give advice • Extensive marketing of your property to prospective tenants • Pre-qualified tenants who are comprehensively screened • No key handover until all payments has been made by the tenant • Ingoing and outgoing inspections free of charge
ADDITIONAL ! ahprop " ahprop $ ahprop SERVICES OFFERED: The Reeds 3 bed | 2 bath | R1 330 000 | ADHS:6294 Comfortable family living at its best with future flatlet potential. Absolute value for money! Just move in, relax and enjoy! From the moment you walk in you will love this absolutely neat character home offering two separate and spacious lounges, stunning and modern open plan kitchen and dining area with loads of cupboard space and with beautiful modern flooring. Just outside the kitchen is a large enclosed laundry / utility room VIEW BY APPOINTMENT
MICHELE 071 965 1895 ANNALIEN 082 904 2695
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Additional inspections Comprehensive inventory report Full management of your property
Call us today for a confidential & obligation free chat!! Contact: Annalien van Rooyen 082 904 2695/annalien@ahprop.co.za Terms & Conditions Apply
! ahprop " ahprop $ ahprop WWW.AHPROP.CO.ZA WWW.AHPROP.CO.ZA
Neighbourhood
stneighbourhood.co.za | 6 AUGUST 2017
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Latest Award
of 8 International Property Awards