The fact that Rawson Properties Bergvliet franchise achieved a December 2011 turnover 250% higher than that of December 2010 '“ and that it is currently on track to set a new record for its January sales and is budgeting for a 20% increase in sales this year, should, says Tony Clarke, MD of Rawson Properties, be telling the buying and investing public something about the fast-growing popularity of residential property in Bergvliet and many of its adjacent suburbs.
'The plain truth,' said John Weston, Rawson franchisee for these areas, 'is that property here has performed better financially than most other Cape Town areas'
The huge popularity of the areas mentioned, he says, stems from the fact that they are seen by the increasing numbers of upwardly mobile people who formerly may have lived in 'disadvantaged' suburbs as not only prestigious but also just affordable to the new middle class.
Sales prices quoted by Weston appear to bear this out. Freestanding homes in Bergvliet are now selling at R1,5 to R3,4 million (homes at this higher level having all the bells and whistles) and in Meadowridge from R1,4 to R3 million, at Diep River from R400 000 to R2,5 million, at Plumstead from R900 000 to R2,5 million, at Southfield from R600 000 to R1,2 million and at Heathfield and Alphendale from R520 000 to R1,8 million.
Especially popular right now, said Weston, are these last two territories '“ as well as apartments in Heathfield which can sell for as little as R400 000.
Bergvliet and Meadowridge, added Weston, are particularly attractive to upwardly mobile people because their schools continue to achieve excellent results at both matric and primary school levels. Bergvliet High School matric students last year achieved a 98% pass rate.
Also attractive to many, said Weston, are the large, high standard retail centres of the areas. The upgrading of the Blue Route Mall, to be completed in April, Weston predicts will set a whole new shopper profile.
Ongoing demand, said Weston, has also made the area attractive to property investors. Those buying in the less expensive areas like Southfield, he says, can now achieve a 7,5% nett growth from day one. A two bedroom apartment in Diep River sold recently for R650 000 is able to get a R5 000 per month rent.
Renovations, too, said Weston, are achieving good returns. In one case a large home in Diep River is being split in two, both sections upgraded and then sold separately under sectional title. Similar innovative improvements are now being carried out throughout this territory.
A fact which may surprise property watchers is that this Rawson franchise achieves a 95% success rate in its clients bond approvals. This, says Weston, is the result of all his agents (and himself) becoming adept at helping clients to assess what they can afford in relation to the National Credit Act criteria '“ and, he adds, his close liaison with the Rawson in-house bond origination division, Rawson Finance, is of great value here.
'If you were to ask me what Rawson can provide over and above other groups, I would list an in-house financial division very high indeed,' said Weston.
'All in all,' says Weston, 'if you are looking to buy in a reasonably priced precinct with the ability to withstand almost any economic downturn it can be shown that Bergvliet and its environs are a very safe choice'
Weston listed three properties in different price categories that he believes currently offer good value.
These are homes priced at
· R2 395 000 in Bergvliet, offering four bedrooms, three bathrooms (two en suite) with a double garage and upmarket finishes;
· R759 000 in Diep River offering three bedrooms with guest toilet downstairs and an exclusive use parking bay in security complex; and
· R599 000 in Heathfield (lower Bergvliet) offering a two bedroom flat 78m² in a security complex with exclusive use parking bay.
For further information contact John Weston on 021 715 5674 or email bergvliet@rawsonproperties.com.
