If you thought seaside living in the Western Cape was only for the very wealthy, you clearly haven’t heard of Strandfontein. This vibrant coastal community, tucked between Mitchells Plain and Muizenberg, has easy access to all the beachfront amenities you could wish for, and remarkably affordable property too.
“Strandfontein offers exceptional value for money,” says Theo Rainers, the Rawson Property Group’s franchisee for the area. “It’s more affordable than many areas in the Cape Flats, like Grassy Park, as well as other suburbs like Ottery and Muizenberg – and is literally two minutes away from one of the most lovely, family-friendly Blue Flag beaches on the False Bay coastline.”
Strandfontein Beach is a long, white-sanded, seagull-inhabited stretch, watched over by the popular Strandfontein Pavilion which hosts numerous public events over the summer season. Originally made famous by its massive tidal swimming pool – the largest in Southern Africa – Strandfontein Beach was also used as a location for the iconic ocean-lover’s film, Free Willy.
As for the village itself, Rainers describes it as a lively blend of age-groups and cultures. “Most of our buyers at the moment are singles and young couples between the ages of 25 and 35, but we also see older buyers looking to upgrade from other areas to the more desirable lifestyle Strandfontein has to offer. We have a lot of avid anglers and fishermen in residence, and we’re becoming very popular with Navy sailors as well, since it’s an easy commute to the Naval Base in Simon’s Town,” says Rainers.
This convenience, combined with easy access to Baden Powell Drive heading towards Muizenberg or Stellenbosch, has made Strandfontein property popular not only with buyers, but with renters as well. “We have a very healthy rental market, and buy-to-let opportunities abound,” says Rainers. “Landlords are seeing excellent returns on investment, and demand is so high that we don’t have enough stock to go around – particularly in the most popular suburbs within Strandfontein.”
Those suburbs, according to Rainers, include Old Strandfontein and Wavecrest, where the predominantly older, larger, and more solidly-built homes attract the highest values in the area. “Most of the properties in Strandfontein are two to three bedroomed freestanding homes, but some of the older parts of town have traditional, semi-detached units as well. There is also a lot of vacant land available, with plenty of opportunities for future development, so we expect to see improvements in local infrastructure as that growth starts to occur,” says Rainers.
Price-wise, buyers in Strandfontein are looking at anything from R500 000 to R1 million, depending on location, size, condition and features. “Most buyers are looking for three bedroomed properties with enough space to park two cars and grounds suitable for pets like dogs,” says Rainers.
With prices in the area steadily appreciating thanks to the ongoing demand, Rainers has noticed many residents choosing to renovate rather than move. “This kind of rejuvenation of properties is great to see,” he says. “It adds value to the area as a whole, and indicates a happy community putting down long-term roots. It also puts the owner in a good position for future sales if and when they do decide to move on.”
According to Rainers, signs of good and ongoing maintenance are the key to selling well in Strandfontein, as buyers are paying attention to condition as well as aesthetics. “Both buyers and sellers also need to keep an eye on their credit ratings,” he says, “as banks are getting stricter and it could become more difficult to qualify for a new bond.”
With its relative affordability, however, Strandfontein remains an enticing option for first-time buyers as well as renters and buy-to-let investors. “If you’re looking for a coastal property at an unbeatable price with excellent potential for appreciation, Strandfontein is the place for you,” says Rainers.
