The latest FNB Property Barometer puts the average house price in SA at around R1,1 million at the moment, while the Absa housing review says the average price of medium-size houses in the middle segment of the market is currently just over R1,2 million. However, what South Africans tend to think of as the “average” home – three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage and a sizeable garden – can be hard to find in Johannesburg if you’re looking in the R1,1 million to R1,2 million price range and you would like to live in an up-and-coming neighbourhood. Indeed, the average house price in Johannesburg is currently almost R1,3 million – but fortunately there are still some parts of the city that offer the average young family the opportunity to acquire (or create) their dream home in a great location.
The Glen Mall and the revamped Southdale Centre as well as various convenience centres. “Other recreation facilities include a community centre, a tennis club and soccer fields. Mondeor is also close to Gold Reef City and the FNB Soccer Stadium – and there is a good bus service to the city centre for those who would prefer not to commute by car,” says Njabulo Nkonyane, the local Rawson Property Group franchisee.“And while there are many luxury homes here offering hilltop locations and spectacular views, it is still very possible for young families to get into the area and buy a well-built, spacious house with a good-size garden for between R1 million and R1,2 million. For example, we have just sold a Mondeor home with three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, three living rooms, a modern kitchen, garage, carport, lapa and walled garden for R1,050 million."
“More good news is that there is plenty of room for younger buyers to upgrade and add onto these original Mondeor homes when they can afford to do so without any risk of overcapitalising, because there are many homes here selling for R2 million and more.”
Other good options for Johannesburg buyers looking to move from apartments to their first homes are some of the suburbs close to Northcliff, says local residential sales partner Gary Schwartzel. “These include Albertville, Albertskroon and Greymont, all of which have started to become very trendy and where many homes have already been renovated. The entry level for three bedroom homes in these suburbs is around R800 000, but for R900 000 to R1,2 million, one can buy a property that is larger or has already been substantially upgraded. “For example, we are currently marketing a three bedroom, two bathroom home with two living rooms, a garage and good security in Greymont for R999 000.” The stand sizes in these areas tend to be quite small, he says, but still provide space for lawns and gardens. “They also require less maintenance and make for lower property rates and suit a lot of young families on tight time and money budgets. And once again, there is plenty of margin for remodelling here once the owners can afford to do so.”
Other attractions of these suburbs include proximity to several good primary and high schools and easy access to the Johannesburg CBD, Parktown and Randburg by road or public transport. For those who work in Sandton, it is easy to access the N1 from Beyers Naude Drive. Shopping and entertainment is close by in the huge Cresta shopping centre and the restaurants and cafés of Melville, and these areas are of course also very close to the University of Johannesburg and the Milpark creative hub, so are increasingly popular with academics, artists, designers and writers.
Further to the west of Johannesburg, buyers are discovering great value in Roodepoort suburbs such as Florida and Witpoortjie. “The West Rand really does offer buyers the best of all worlds,” says Rawson Property Group Roodepoort franchisee Liana van Loggerenberg. “Affordable housing, a beautiful natural environment, no shortage of great shopping venues and easy freeway access to Johannesburg and Soweto, Sandton, Midrand and Pretoria."
Further to the west of Johannesburg, buyers are discovering great value in Roodepoort suburbs such as Florida and Witpoortjie. “The West Rand really does offer buyers the best of all worlds,” says Rawson Property Group Roodepoort franchisee Liana van Loggerenberg. “Affordable housing, a beautiful natural environment, no shortage of great shopping venues and easy freeway access to Johannesburg and Soweto, Sandton, Midrand and Pretoria."
“So it’s no surprise that many young buyers are avoiding Johannesburg’s more upmarket areas now and targeting some of the older suburbs here that not only offer them much more house (and garden) for their money, but also a great lifestyle."
“And we think that with seven schools in the vicinity, good transport infrastructure and shopping centres such as Westgate and the new Cradle Stone Mall close by, it would be very hard to beat the Witpoortjie area for overall value.”
Rawson Roodepoort currently has three bedroom homes in this area available at prices from around R800 000 – and for R950 000, one can acquire a substantially improved family home with three bedrooms, two modern bathrooms, two living rooms, a bar, a beautiful modern kitchen, a garage and staff accommodation.
For more information visit www.rawson.co.za
Rawson Roodepoort currently has three bedroom homes in this area available at prices from around R800 000 – and for R950 000, one can acquire a substantially improved family home with three bedrooms, two modern bathrooms, two living rooms, a bar, a beautiful modern kitchen, a garage and staff accommodation.
For more information visit www.rawson.co.za
