Further evidence that the Cape coastal and holiday property market is at last beginning to see an uptick has come from Rawson Properties’ franchisees for Witsand, the small fishing village 300 km from Cape Town. Leon and Hanli Pretorius, the franchisees here, say that renewed interest is being seen from both Cape and upcountry buyers this summer – “something we have not experienced for two to three years now”.
Witsand, which is sited on both the coast and on the Breede River, is famous for its excellent fishing and for the very large whale population that migrates to the nearby San Sebastian Bay each year. The small village (total population of approximately 300) has long attracted the more discerning Cape holidaymakers, some of whom have had homes here for four or five generations. Its appeal, says Leon Pretorius, relies largely on the fact that it is unspoilt and peaceful.
Leon Pretorius says that although the area has more expensive homes, the demand is almost exclusively for houses priced from R800,000 to R2,5 million right now. Homes priced above that level, he says, tend to stick on the market.
“The big difference between the conditions now and those of 18 to 24 months ago,” he says, “is that sellers are at last accepting our estimates and pricing what the market will pay.”
Also attracting interest at the moment, says Hanli Pretorius, are the suites and rooms available for sale from developer Roelf Loubser and other private owners at the 3 star Breede River Lodge. These can be priced as low as R220,000 (for a bachelor unit), but can also have price tags as high as R2,3 million – for a unit with four bedrooms, all en suite.
The suites at Breede River Lodge usually come fully furnished and buyers are required to pay a R14 per m2 levy per month. This, however, can be partially or wholly recouped by putting units into a rental pool, which is now managed by Leon Pretorius and which is currently achieving a 120 to 500 bed nights per month for the last six months.
Good buys available on the Rawson Properties’ stock list, says Pretorius, are:
· A three bedroom home in Witsand, in boomed area with a river view. This house has a very definite heritage look and great charm, says Hanli Pretorius. The price here is R1,3 million.
· A very big six bedroom, five bathroom home with three lower level garages, a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and a braai room. The price here is R3,2 million.
· One of the best buys available at the Breede River Lodge right now is a three bedroom (all en suite) unit with unimpeded views of the river. The price here is R 1, 750 000.
“Looking at the situation as a whole,” says Hanli Pretorius, “with demand increasing, now would be a very good time to buy because I do foresee today’s prices beginning to rise steadily from hereon.”
