Malmesbury, located in the heart of the Western Cape’s Swartland region, is experiencing very strong demand from families wishing to buy or rent residential property in the town. Pam Golding Properties (PGP) reports that some are being drawn to work opportunities within the town itself, while others are opting to live in Malmesbury and commute to work in nearby Cape Town.
PGP’s area manager Gail Friedlander says the wholesome and secure country lifestyle, scenic setting amid rolling wheat-fields, and excellent infrastructure, make Malmesbury an ideal environment in which to raise a family. “The town has everything one could need, from high quality schools and a variety of shops and services, to a small hospital and numerous medical practices,” she says. “It enjoys the typical country atmosphere of a slower pace of life and friendly community, but is also a bustling hub with plentiful economic opportunities. Malmesbury is the biggest municipal area in the Western Cape outside of Cape Town, and as such, the Swartland municipality is one of the major employers. Bokomo also has its head office here with large associated flour and pasta factories, while the town services a vast farming area, providing business for a number of associated industries.”
“For those who choose to live here and commute to Cape Town,” she continues, “the drive is only 65km – currently manageable in under an hour, and soon to become even shorter once the widening of the N7 highway to a dual carriageway is complete. That project is now less than 20km from Malmesbury, and is expected to reach the town by the end of 2014. This improved accessibility will shorten the commute and potentially boost the town’s commuter population.”
For families moving into Malmesbury, renting is often the first option while they assess where they would like to buy. First-time buyers struggling to access bond finance are also driving rental demand in the town, with the result that there is currently a shortage of rental stock, particularly in the category of family homes. A basic family home with three bedrooms can be rented for between R6500 and R7500 per month, while more upmarket homes in the best suburbs can fetch between R8500 and R11500 per month. This potential income is in turn driving demand from investment buyers wishing to capitalise on rental income.
For those able to buy a home, prices start at around R850 000 for an entry-level property, going up to R1.2 million for a mid-level family home and R3.5 million for a top end property with luxury finishes.
“This is a very stable community,” Friedlander concludes, “with many residents spending their whole lives here. They can enjoy a carefree childhood and then a profitable career as they raise their own families, followed by a restful, safe and sociable retirement. Many of the local farmers choose to move into town when they retire, downscaling to more manageable properties with more convenient access to amenities. The town also has a large old age home with frail care, while additional facilities for the elderly are being built in the new Fonteine Village development.”
Another popular option for retirees is the Mount Royal Golf and Country Estate, established in 2010 and now taking shape with several high-quality homes already completed, and still more under construction. The estate has excellent security include electric perimeter fencing and 24 hour armed guarding, while plans are in place to extend the current nine-hole golf course to 18 holes in the future. Most homes enjoy sweeping views over the greens and surrounding farmlands to the mountains in the distance. PGP is currently marketing a charming three-bedroomed home in the estate with a splash pool and undercover patio with built-in braai, at R1.995 million.
To view this home, or for more information on properties for sale in Malmesbury, contact PGP agent Reynette du Plessis on 076 834 3996, 022 487 1366 or malmesbury@pamgolding.co.za. PGP’s area manager Gail Friedlander can be reached at gail.friedlander@pamgolding.co.za
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