With its recent move into smart new offices on Langverwacht Road (which leads to the Zevenwacht wine and hospitality estate and to the area’s new retail centres), the Rawson Property Group’s Kuils River franchise is letting the Cape Town public know that it intends to broaden its operating base and, in particular, to handle more of the upmarket homes, largely as a result of the high standard set by the Zevenwacht estate and its satellite developments which have gone a long way to transforming the image of this entire area.
One home in the estate is currently on the market for R12 million and the average price of the adjacent developments are priced from R2 million to R4 million. Nevertheless, says Noelene Snyder, the Rawson Property Group’s franchisee for this area, 85% of the enquiries received by her franchise still relate to homes in far lower priced categories.
“Kuils River,” said Snyder, “is now in many people’s minds regarded as one of the best Winelands precincts in which to settle – and it is significant that a very high proportion of those buying in the more upmarket areas around the wine estate are Germans and Hollanders, who buy so as to be able to spend their summers here in typical ‘swallow’ fashion.
Kuils River and its satellite suburbs, added Snyder, has always had one big advantage: its inexpensive railway service to the city and its quick, easy access to the N1 and the R300 freeways.
“Today, it is also perceived to be ideally situated in relation to several other major work nodes such as Bellville, Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein and Paarl. To reach many of the adjacent areas can be a pure pleasure because the commuter is travelling against the prevailing traffic flows.”
With demand for Kuils River housing now on the increase, stock shortages have become a problem and prices rises, which hitherto have been below 5% per annum, could, said Snyder, rise significantly in the year ahead - her prediction, in fact, is an 8 to 10% rise. Any home in the popular price range of R750,000 to R1,2 million, if accurately priced, will now sell within six to eight weeks.
Snyder said that her team expect to sell eight to ten houses per month in 2015 and this figure could be higher if more stock was available.
“Our big advantage,” she said, “is that we have been in Kuils River for 11 years and have built up a solid client base. Our offices, incidentally, offer ample off street parking and we have already gained a new image. In one of our first weeks we concluded three sales and were given three mandates.”
The rental market in Kuils River, said Snyder, is now also flourishing and as a result buy-to-let investors are more evident. Rents of R5,000 to R8,000 are now found throughout most of Kuils River and the upmarket homes can command up to R30,000 or more per month.
For further information contact Noelene Snyder on 021 906 1530 or at noelene.snyder@rawson.co.za.
