Although prices in the prime Overstrand villages such as Rooi Els and Pringle Bay are now climbing significantly above the R2m to R4m price mark, there is still plenty to buy below R2m, you just need to know where to look, says John du Toit, Seeff’s licensee for the area.
He adds that this season may just be the right time to invest in areas such as Kleinmond and Betty’s Bay where, despite the close proximity to Cape Town, you can still find a house for R1.2m and R1.4m respectively. This, despite the prime seaside location.
The Overstrand is the coastal belt of the Overberg and Du Toit says that the area ticks all the boxes for coastal holiday or weekend homes, permanent residences and retirement. It is just about an hour’s drive from the Cape Town International Airport and you are within one to two hours from the main Cape tourist attractions and venues. It is also just a 45-minute drive to several shopping malls and there are excellent medical and other facilities in the area. The growing town of Hermanus is also nearby.
The Overstrand villages include Rooi Els, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond and the Arabella Golf Estate. The area is renowned for some of the most pristine beaches, mountains for hiking and cycling, rivers and lagoons for swimming and canoeing and a host of water sport, from fishing, diving and boating to surfing. There are two top golf course along with bowls, tennis and horse riding in the area.
The area also falls within the very popular Whale Coast region, so you are spoilt for choice when it comes to sea life with whales, dolphins and many other creates regular visitors to the areas. You are also surrounding by the pristine Kogelberg Biosphere with a wealth of fynbos and roaming small wildlife and bird life.
Du Toit says that agents are currently experiencing stock shortages across the area in the price range below R1.5m. “When we get anything in this range, it is snapped up within days and, we expect a busy summer”, he adds.
“As with the rest of the Cape, we are seeing an influx of people moving to the villages and excellent interest in second homes from Cape Town and the Stellenbosch and surrounding winelands areas. Gauteng and other upcountry buyers are also showing a keen interest and we have seen a spike in overseas buyers, predominantly from the UK and Europe”.
Rooi Els, nearest to Cape Town is at the top end of the market here with prices of around R2.6m for an average three-bedroomed house. A similar house in Pringle Bay now averages around R1.8m. Top end beach houses, especially in Rooi Els and Pringle Bay though now range upwards of R4m to around R7.5m for a spacious home with fabulous sea views.
In Betty’s Bay, you can find a similar house for around R1.4m according to Colin Michelson, agent for the area. Pam Smith and Mike Tribelhorn meanwhile say that at just R1.2m for a three-bedroomed house, Kleinmond remains unbeatable for coastal value.
The Arabella Golf Estate now ranks amongst the most sought-after estates in the Cape and offers stunning country villas situated around a scenic golf course, priced on average around R3.6m for a three-bedroomed house, says Terry Dwyer, agent for the estate. Aside from the golf course, there is also access to the five-star hotel facilities including a spa and restaurants.
