Harfield Village, situated in Claremont, has always been well known and liked for its quaint Chelsea-like feel and if one takes into account its convenient location, it explains why this area is sought after by young and old buyers alike, says Laurence van Blerck, an agent with Knight Frank Residential SA marketing property in this area.
Harfield has a vibrant atmosphere, with a “buzzing” social and business hub on 2nd Avenue, as well as a well-managed parks association which helps look after the public open spaces. There is a strong community spirit in this suburb and one can often find young families and couples strolling around after work into early evening, enjoying the village atmosphere.
Harfield is conveniently situated for those who use public transport as the southern suburbs train line runs along the western side, and there are many taxi and bus stops nearby. This area is within five minutes’ drive of many popular shopping centres, sports grounds, and only twenty minutes from the airport.
This village is also close to many of the good schools that the southern suburbs are well known for, such as Herschel, Greenfield Girls, Michael Oak Waldorf, Cedar House, to name a few, said van Blerck.
The majority of the properties in Harfield are roughly 220m² in size and the homes on these erven are mostly Victorian and Edwardian cottages either semi-detached or terraced. There are some free-standing and when one of these comes on the market they are generally met with enthusiasm, and often sell fairly quickly.
PropStats (the Institute of Estate Agents Western Cape property data service) figures indicate that the average selling price of properties now is R2 069 211, with these taking on average ten days to sell. There is only 3,4% difference between the asking and selling price. If one looks at figures from the previous year, the average selling price was R1 887 179, with properties selling at 2,7% below what was being asked, and then, too, they were selling within ten days.
A rarity in Harfield is a free-standing home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and almost double the land that the average plot has. In addition to this, and possibly most important, is that it has a double garage (the majority of homes here do not have off-street parking). The house is built in low-maintenance face-brick and is in very good condition. In addition to this, it is slightly set back from the main “buzz” of Harfield Village, said van Blerck.
The home that is on his books is 105m² and is on a 400m² plot, at a listed price of R2 995 000. It has sun-filled rooms with natural light year round. The lounge, dining room and kitchen are open plan and there is a freestanding fireplace installed in a central position. There is a generous amount of built in cupboard space in the kitchen and the lounge opens onto the mature, well maintained garden through French doors.
“This is an ideal family home, with enough garden space to accommodate growing children. It is a house that is ready for someone to make it their own and is likely to keep its buyer as happy as the current owner, who has lived here for 28 years,” he said.