In September this year Rawson Properties Paarl franchise was the groups top performing franchise in the Western Cape and second countrywide.
'This,' says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson group, 'should tell buyers two things: firstly, that this franchise is exceptionally well run and managed '“ many now rate it has the pre-eminent estate agency in Paarl '“ and, secondly, that confidence in Paarl property remains fairly high despite the vicissitudes and challenges experienced countrywide for the last two years'
This second statement was confirmed by Rawson Properties Paarl franchisee, Lizette Joubert, who said that Paarl has shown a surprising ability to hold onto its property values in the recent difficult times.
'I cannot,' said Joubert, 'actually point to significant real growth gains yet but in the last half year we have definitely seen prices holding their own against the inflation rate'
Paarl, she said, has traditionally been home to old Cape families '“ as well as some enterprising younger generation entrepreneurs '“ who now have substantial assets.
'Fortunately for us,' said Joubert, 'some of these cash-rich investors have abandoned the stock exchange and the money markets and are coming back into property. We have had clients buying two, three or more homes in one month '“ and often paying cash for them'
In the residential market good returns are now possible on the lower priced units: Rawsons has been selling apartments in the R420 000 to R850 000 price range while their houses can be anything from R795 000 to R7,5 million.
Also good value recently, she said, have been the relatively few repossessions passed on to Rawsons by the banks.
'Over 90% of these have sold, almost at once,' she said, 'showing yet again the strength of the local property market'
Asked to give three properties on her stock list which, says Joubert, she would rate as good buys right now, Joubert listed:
· The Bo Bosman guesthouse, selling at the 'exceptionally good' price of R2 999 000. Sited on the slopes of Paarl mountain, with views across the Berg River Valley, this two storey complex has views of the Drakenstein mountain range and vineyards. It has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living and dining area, a reception room and a family/entertainment room, a patio and a lapa/braai area.
Particularly appealing, says Rawson agent, Andre Steyn, is a winding, irregularly shaped swimming pool at the bottom of the garden. This has its own gazebo and is an ideal retreat from Paarls hot summer days. The garden is shady and well established and burglar bars and security fencing make the property secure.
'The good news here,' said Joubert, 'is that this guesthouse, which has been running for years, is being sold as a going business with all its furniture and equipment '“ and it already has a loyal client base. The owners have now expressed a wish to retire but they will help the new owners become established'
· A classic Victorian house in central Paarl. This has been rezoned for business/medical purposes. The 524m² building, on its 1 352m² plot has eight offices, as a well as living and dining rooms, five garages and eight carports. This, says Joubert, is priced at R3,8 million (plus VAT) and can rent out at country town. The property has its own bricked-in pool and covered braai.
Well maintained features which bear witness to its authenticity as a Victorian era building include broekie lace on the stoep, wrought iron railings, wooden floors and a cast iron fireplace. The building is air-conditioned.
· A similar Victorian home with 133m² of house space and 49m² of office/medical suites. This, too, has served as business premises. The seller is a doctor who ran his practice from here and rented out the additional space. It has nine offices in all, spread amongst three buildings and it is on the market at R2,5 million. Joubert says that it can attract a rental of R14 000 per month.
'As I have said before,' commented Joubert, 'it is difficult to make a bad buy in Paarl at todays prices '“ which is why so many investors are returning to Boland property '“ and these old houses now zoned for commercial use are some of the best offerings in a market, which although likely to take two or three years to flower again, has now stabilised and has always been subject to less fluctuations than property in other more volatile, less settled precincts'
For further information contact Lizette Joubert on 021 872 8385 or email paarl@rawsonproperties.com.
