It is an old truth but one which bears repeating: you can take a good agent out of property, but you will never take the love of property out of a good agent.
Some 25 years ago Adele Werth, who now works for the Rawson Property Group and handles sales and marketing at Sunset Beach (near Milnerton, Cape Town) had three years in property selling through the Lifestyle Group.
Subsequently she joined her husband in a wholesale business for 15 years but after he passed away in 2004 she felt again the hankering to be back in property. This led her to Rawsons Blaauwberg franchise.
As a resident of Sunset Beach and a convinced believer that this is one of the Capes best kept secrets, she wanted to serve in that area '“ and only that area ('The Links' to the south of Sunset Beach is, in any case, under the control of Rawsons Milnerton franchise and was not available to her).
Adele went to Rawsons as her first choice because they had no agent and no real history in the area. By starting with a new operation, she knew she would have to battle to make a name for herself but, she knew, too, that she would not be carrying any possibly harmful 'baggage' from previous agents.
Seven months after taking up her new position there can be no question, says Mike Abrahamse, franchise principal for the Rawsons Blaauwberg operation (to whom Adele reports), that she is already one of the groups star performers. In the last three working months she has sold three expensive units and there are more sales in the pipeline.
It is now a proven fact, says Adele, that Sunset Beach, in which there are only 472 homes altogether (as well as some 40 vacant plots), is one of the soundest residential property investments at the Cape. The homes for sale on her list are in the price range from R2,195 to R9,5 million and the bulk of home sold, she says, are now in the R3,5 to R4,5 million bracket. This is a very significant increase on prices only three years ago.
What is it that has kept prices rising so steadily in this relatively small, relatively exclusive suburb throughout the 15 years since, despite plenty of sceptism on the part of so-called experts, the developers decided to go ahead with a project on this 'row of sand dunes'?
The first factor, says Adele, is quite simply the beauty of the prime coastal area. Flanked on the western side by the long beach and by the Milnerton Lagoon and Flamingo Vlei Brid Sanctuary on the eastern side (and close to the magnificent links golf course), the precinct is a real nature lovers retreat.
What is more, these factors enhance its security, which has made it one of the Capes safest areas. There are only two entrances, the estate has three regular patrol cars and the Homeowners Association is currently costing the installation of CCV cameras on all the streets. (In summer quad bike patrols even monitor the beach as well.)
Although cut off, the area has, too, its own small retail centre with two excellent restaurants, a video shop, a hairdresser, a pizza place, a gift shop and other outlets.
'Sunset Beach,' said Adele, 'is seen by many as expensive '“ but this is illogical. If you compare what is on offer here at say, R3 million the same sort of homes in less attractive styles in Camps Bay or Fresnaye are going for R8 million or more '“ and we are almost as conveniently positioned as they are (5km from Century City and Canal Walk and 8km from the CBD)'
Adele now has 19 mandates (including those for vacant land) and warns that prices this year will inevitably rise 5 to 10%.
Asked which of her properties she would put top of her list for serious enquiries, she says several could qualify but a six bedroom home at 12 Hastula Way sited right on the beach and priced at R9,5 million should be seen, as should a next door property, 10 Hastula Way, which in her view is one of the most striking avant garde buildings at Sunset Beach. This property is also on the beach and is priced at R7,5 million.
For those looking for a less expensive entry-level home here, Adele recommends a four bedroom home at Baylers Way priced at R2,9 million.
Adele can be contacted on 082 555 8365.
