Residential property prices in the outlying areas of Greater Cape Town are rising far faster than those in Cape Towns suburbs, says David Evans, Rawson franchisee for Melkbosstrand, Yzerfontein, Malmesbury and Darling.
As a result, he says, both his Darling and his Yzerfontein franchises have recently achieved the highest prices ever for homes in their areas. At Yzerfontein Rawson agent Marijanne Van Nieuwenhoven negotiated a price of R3,99 million for a large three bedroom family home with a separate flatlet and pool and beautiful sea views, while in Darling a sale of R2,2 million was achieved by Rawson agent, Antoinette Versfeld, for a 500m2 Victorian home with Oregon pine floors, solid wood doors, stained glass insets and a former brandy cellar now used as a studio. The home is over 100 years old.
Evans said that homes in outlying areas are now more popular than ever before. Darling, he said, has done particularly well, prices are 56% up on 2005; homes here are now priced from R690, 000 and plots from R320,000.
'Darling,' said Evans, 'has a lot going for it. It is quiet, almost crime free and has wonderful Victorian homes, usually very well maintained. It also has its Pieter Dirk-Uys theatre and several good restaurants and B & Bs '“ and it is increasingly recognised as an up-and-coming wine producing area' (Rawsons recently sold one of Uys homes '“ but he retains his main home.)
Many of those now moving to Darling, said Evans, commute to the city (±65km away) several days a week or run their businesses via the internet.
'This type of lifestyle appeals to more and more people,' said Evans, 'and it is almost equally evident in Yzerfontein'
At Yzerfontein, he said, year on year sales have risen 32% with houses starting from R875, 000 and plots from R450, 000.
In Malmesbury the Rawson Manager, Schalk Liebenberg, formerly postmaster at Roggebaai, reports that his branch is notching up an average of nine sales per month '“ with many of his Coloured community buyers opting for plots (priced from R30,000 to R120,000) rather than homes, especially in Chatsworth.
At Melkbosstrand, said Evans, the Rawson franchise, now in its fourth year, has captured just over 20% of the market. Here, he calculates, average prices have risen year on year by 27%.
Encouraged by the 69% increase in sales that followed on the opening of their double storey Sixth Avenue Melkbosstrand offices, Rawson Properties have taken main street premises in Darling.
'It says much for the initiative of my agents that they were able to persuade me to come and have a look at our prospective premises, a disused toilet block. They assured me that with vision in its superb position it could be turned into great offices and they were 100% correct '“ the walk-in business has been on the increase week by week'
At the end of last year, Bill Rawson recognised the efforts of Evans and his wife, Anne-Marie by awarding them the Chairmans trophy. To earn this the recipient has not only to achieve good sales and to comply fully with the groups accounting and report-back procedures, he must also 'exemplify the spirit of Rawson Properties'.
'With their cheerful optimistic, ever-helpful natures David and Anne-Marie have created working atmospheres which are pleasant for both their colleagues and clients,' said Rawson.
For further information contact Dave Evans on 021 553 3662.
