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Gated communities mushrooming in Gauteng

Cape Town - Approximately half of all South Africa’s gated communities are situated in Gauteng, where homes in residential estates remain a popular option despite the slow national economic indicators.

There are numerous factors contributing to the ongoing demand for homes within residential estates, including the fact that many people appreciate the concern-free community lifestyle that they afford, as well as the high level of recreational and other facilities on offer, according to Rupert Finnemore, regional head of Pam Golding Properties.  

According to residential property research company Lightstone, estate properties in SA represent approximately 15% of the value of the entire property market.

According to Lightstone, the average price of a property within an estate is nearly three times the national average for a freehold home.  

“This highlights some of the importance of this market both nationally and within Gauteng,” says Finnemore.

“While the value of estate properties tends to be higher in the Western Cape than in Gauteng, large numbers of quality estate properties have been developed locally and there remains a considerable demand for homes in well-located and well-run gated communities across the province."

In addition, while some local property sellers do overprice their homes in what is in broad terms a buyer’s market, in his view, estate properties in Gauteng generally remain well-priced and represent a strong long-term investment that can offer a good hedge against inflationary pressures.

Three-bedroom home at Monaghan Farm - R11.9m:

Finnemore points out that over the last 20 years numerous estates of various kinds and sizes - including lifestyle, security, country, wildlife, equestrian and polo, retirement and golf estates - have mushroomed across the province.

Monaghan Farm:

“These communities cater to a range of different tastes, lifestyles and financial means, and are particularly prolific in the greater Johannesburg and Pretoria regions. Many developers have in recent years seen the opportunity in including a sectional title component, which has rendered gated communities more accessible," says Finnemore.

Monaghan Farm:

Three Gauteng estates were listed in recently published New World Wealth Top 10 residential estates in South Africa 2017, including Steyn City Lifestyle Resort in Fourways, Johannesburg, which was placed second overall.

Waterfall Equestrian Estate and Waterfall Hills Mature Lifestyle Estate, both situated in Midrand, were placed 5th and 9th respectively.

Sound security

Pam Golding Properties' national sales executive, Jason Shaw, says sound security is central to the estate concept. This in turn enables people to enjoy a more concern-free lifestyle taking maximum advantage of outdoor life on offer within the region.

Three-bedroom home in Dainfern Golf Estate for R7.4m:

“In addition, estates also enable residents greater control over the development of their community and facilities, finances and ultimately enable greater control over their social and physical environment and a high degree of independence in running their affairs," says Shaw.

Dainfern Golf Estate:

Nowadays properties in residential estates can vary in value from anywhere between R2m to up to R35m or more. According to Shaw, properties in popular residential estates tend to hold their values well within a tough economic environment.

Dainfern Golf Estate:

“Due to the popularity of the estate concept, there are even an increasing number of these communities to be found in the more traditional northern suburbs such as Sandhurst, Inanda, Bryanston and Northcliff, but these generally tend to be smaller ‘boutique’ estates due to the limited availability of land in these areas,” says Shaw.

“Further north, we have developments such as Waterfall Estate in the Midrand area, which is well-known and has proved most successful, but there are many others.”

Purpose-developed

He points out that as many estates are purpose-developed, developers can cater to a particular demand and all types of estates now occur across the region including lifestyle, golf, country, wildlife, and equestrian estates.

“If you look at an estate such as Dainfern, however, many residents are not golf players, but the golf course provides an attractive green zone and people are enticed by this and the various other rich facilities that are on offer within the community," says Shaw.

According to Shaw, mixed-use developments in which people can live, work and play, such as Steyn City Lifestyle Resort, are becoming an increasingly popular feature of upmarket estates within the region.

“These offer the resident every possible facility, including schools, shopping and even healthcare facilities in addition to attractive environs. Interestingly, Steyn City has reported a 20 percent year-on-year increase during the first seven months of 2017, so the demand for homes in these types of estates is there,” he explains.

“Many of the people of Gauteng no longer want to travel long distances in heavy traffic to work, entertainment and shopping centres. They rather seek a lifestyle that is at the same time attractive, secure and highly convenient, with their workplace and amenities close at hand.

"There has consequently been a mushrooming of these highly innovative lifestyle estate developments around the province and residential property tends to be much sought after.”

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