Those who lack faith in the future of the Paarl residential property market and its ability to give ever higher prices in the long term, quite possibly do not see the big picture, says Lizette Joubert, the Rawson Property Group’s franchisee for Paarl.
“I have kept a close watch on sales figures and trends throughout the eight years I have owned and run this franchise,” said Joubert, “and I believe I am justified in saying that no matter how other agencies struggle, my own is likely to achieve a 20% increase in sales turnover this year. However, I do not believe that Paarl will see any spectacular price rises this year.”
Joubert has given proof of her confidence by recruiting three new agents (two of whom are already on the Rawson Property Group’s training programme). This brings the total number employed by her to eight. She has also upgraded her offices in 200 Main Road, Paarl.
“Although buyer enthusiasm was not very evident in December,” said Joubert, “it is gratifying to be able to report that in the last seven or eight days of January our team sold three apartments priced from R495,000 to R800,000 and five freestanding homes priced from R1,250,000 to R1, 5 million.
Two facts, said Joubert, are now clear to her. The first is that, in almost every case, Paarl homes still offer real value for money.
“To people from upcountry and outlying districts, Paarl prices sometimes seem high. However, those coming to us from the big cities usually recognize local prices as being reasonable - and in many cases the homes we offer are a great deal more characterful and charming than those of many of the urban areas.”
The second factor that has become clear to her, said Joubert, is that although most of the sales action is currently seen in the lower price brackets, Paarl’s more expensive homes, some of which date back to the early 1920s and even to the Victorian era, offer even better value. This fact, she said, is increasingly being appreciated by a new wave of buyers and within the next 12 to 18 months she foresees the demand for this type of gracious old Paarl home increasing rapidly.
On what factors, therefore, does Joubert base her general confidence in Paarl residential property?
“Paarl,” she said, “has always been popular, not just with its own people who are always reluctant to leave but also with a wide cross-section of middle class South Africans countrywide – in both the English and Afrikaans language groups. Like Stellenbosch, Paarl is seen as attractively rural and set in beautiful vineyard countryside. The area is also known to have a relatively low crime rate and a very civilized way of life, suitable to the more discerning client. Paarl schools are among the best in South Africa and its sporting facilities, especially the golf courses, are excellent. It should therefore come as no surprise to property trend-watchers that our agency is emailed daily with enquiries, not just from Paarl and Cape Town people but from people living in all nine provinces of the country – and the more I see of this, the more I am convinced that Paarl’s appeal, which is felt by so many, will guarantee on-going sales successes and by the year-end, significant price rises.”
Good examples of homes on offer at Paarl right now through her franchise, said Joubert, are:
1. A three bedroom, partly air conditioned 135 m2 house with beautiful mountain views in northern Paarl. This home is priced at R895,000. The home has a combined living/dining area, an attractive open patio, a garden, a garage and a carport.
2. A four bedroom 172 m2 home in central Paarl, close to all major amenities. This home is also partially air conditioned, the living room has a fireplace and the whole house is protected by alarms, burglar bars and security doors.
3. A 152 m2 home in northern Paarl priced at R1,860,000. This home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, spacious living and dining areas and a pantry that is attached to the kitchen. There is also a one bedroom flat with its own balcony. As the plot covers 766 m2, the garden is large and well established.
