Neighbourhood 26 JANUARY 2020
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Good schools matter Even in trying economical times, houses in the catchment area of excellent schools still prove to be a great investment, page 2
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PROPERTY FOCUS: HOUSES CLOSE TO SCHOOLS
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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.
WOODHILL GOLF 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
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
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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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PROPERTY NEWS
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Bryanston, Atholl and Hurlingham are close to the Sandton CBD and fantastic primary and high schools which include a choice of excellent government schools along with topranked private schools such as Crawford, Redhill, St Davids, Roedean, Brescia House, KES (King Edward), St Johns, St Stithians and the Waldorf School (in Bryanston). CHARLES VINING, SEEFF SANDTON
SILVER LAKES GOLF & WILDLIFE ESTATE, PRETORIA
CLAREMONT UPPER, CAPE TOWN
Pretoria is home to the wellknown Pretoria University as well as Onderstepoort, regarded as the top veterinary school in SA. Plus high demand schools such as the popularly known ‘Affies’ – the Afrikaans Seuns Hoër and the Meisies Hoër Schools – and a host of other top schools. Woodhill Estate, Mooikloof Equestrian Estate and Silver Lakes Estate are popular for their close proximity to excellent schools such as Woodhill College, Curro, Redford House, Laerskool Tygerpoort, Tyger Valley College and Abbotts College. GERHARD VAN DER LINDE, SEEFF LICENSEE PRETORIA EAST NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN
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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
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AFRICA RISING GROUP Biggest Independent Property Developer and Property Specialist in KZN Also Specialising in: • • • • • • •
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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.
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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