Rob Lawrence, National Manager of Rawson Finance says that security will likely increase the cost of homeownership significantly in the urban areas of South Africa over the next five to ten years.
'We have in the last 15 years seen an evolving scenario in which an under-resourced and sometimes unmotivated police force fails to get to grips with suburban crime. It is becoming increasingly necessary to have specialist services to provide intensive protection to limited areas'
Paola Magni, a Rawson Properties Milnerton estate agent, with seven years of experience in security complex marketing, points to Royal Ascot, in Milnerton as an example of how popular good security estates have become.
'Royal Ascot,' she says, 'offers top-notch security: it is equipped with electric fencing, access control, booms, turnstiles, gate motors, CCTV cabling, computer networks and intercom systems.
'Security has become a deciding factor for most people when choosing where to live. Nobody is oblivious to the crime statistics of the country. Many people choose to stay in Royal Ascot because it is an incredibly safe neighbourhood'
Security, says Magni, has a positive effect on property values and can enhance the social and financial values. The social value of something must never be ignored or underplayed.
'The prices of properties at Royal Ascot when it was established six years ago were R600 000 to R1,2 million. Today it is R800 000 to R2 million. Growth has, therefore, been steady and ongoing '“ and this in large part due to the security arrangements'
Certain security complexes, says Magni, are 'cold and bland, and lack a sense of community but Royal Ascot has from the outset had a strong community spirit.
'It is a genuine neighbourhood, giving every resident a sense of belonging. Aesthetically, too, it is pleasing, with an added variety of design and landscaping'
It also, says Magni, benefits from being centrally positioned, a few minutes drive from the N1 freeway, Century City, close to Beach Road and only 12km from the city.
'Like any other sectional-title complex, it has rules and regulations to adhere to for the upkeep of the properties. The body corporate ensures the rules are adhered to and, as they have an invested interest in the scheme, are diligent'
Magni concludes; 'Royal Ascot would not be such a sought after residential area if residents felt that they and their belongings were not exceptionally secure. 'Although we cannot say we have zero crime, we know that our crime statistics are dramatically lower than other residential areas, with the obvious exceptions of the two other security precincts in the area, Century City and Atlantic Beach. The future in property in SA clearly belongs to the well-protected security estates'
For more information contact Paola Magni at (021) 552 7762 or email Milnerton@rawsonproperties.com
