“A wide range of names is used to describe estates including: security estates, gated estates, golf estates and coastal estates. All have one thing in common – they have become synonymous with the high quality of life enjoyed on the Dolphin Coast to the north of Durban”, says Neil de Beer, Pam Golding Properties area manager in the Ballito area of the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
“Estates are not only hugely popular in our area or in South Africa but also around the world. Does demand for estate living stem from the security it offers our family, or is it the lifestyle and facilities that attract estate dwellers? I believe it is a combination of both”.
“My first experience of a gated estate was at San Lameer on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast. It was a blissful first experience – from then on, I was as advocate of estate living”.
“Living in an estate does not have to blow the budget and first time home buyers – which hail from KZN, Gauteng and other provinces – are very well catered for in and around Ballito. Our estates offer land, studio apartments, one, two, three and four bedroom apartments and full title homes. Prices range from an entry level of R3.85 million, through to R8 million for a four bedroom home or apartment.”
There is certainly no shortage to choose from. Some of the options available to future estate dwellers include world-famous Zimbali Coastal Resort, beautiful Simbithi Estate, Brettenwood, Dunkirk, Seaward, Umhlali Country Club and Westbrook Beach Club to name a few, not to mention the smaller ‘boutique’ estate offerings.
“Palm Lakes Estate has really enjoyed great success with land and house prices increasing by approximately 50 percent over the last three years. Here beautiful, spacious four bedroom, three bathroom full title homes are available from R3.1 million. There are also a number of off-plan developments available offering four bedroom, three bathroom sectional title apartments with double garages priced from R2.6 million direct from the developer. Conveniently located just 12 minutes north of Ballito, this affordable lifestyle estate offers a rich mix of amenities including a private school, clubhouse, restaurants and sporting facilities.”
De Beer says the supply of quality estates in Ballito and surrounds is growing almost monthly with at least half a dozen estates planned for the near future. Developers are responding to strong demand by locals and inland residents alike who are seeking the higher quality of life that secure, coastal estate living has to offer. Residents are rediscovering and reconnecting with nature as children can safely visit friends, ride bikes, fish and swim rather than engaging in electronic ‘couch-surfing’.
An estate to look out for is Mount Richmore in Salt Rock, expected to launch very soon. Apart from the usual attractions such as security and green managed spaces, it will incorporate such a diverse mix of property uses – shopping, medical centres, schools, offices and restaurants – that residents won’t have many reasons to leave their estate. Another interesting estate is the Blythedale Coastal Resort north of Ballito.
“Our Dolphin Coast property market has capitalized on its rich natural assets and has responded to the needs of the residents. Secure coastal estates are flourishing along our coastline and an increasing number of our estates have developed a reputation par excellence among buyers countrywide, with Zimbali Estate recently being declared the second best estate in South Africa in a report by New World Wealth”.
“The combination of security, quality of environment, lifestyle and wellbeing are cumulatively driving demand for gated community living and evidently prices are responding accordingly,” says de Beer.
