Anyone driving around Cape Town’s Plattekloof area will realise immediately that this is definitely not a typical Cape Town northern suburb – virtually every home has a 180 degree view of Table Bay and Table Mountain and almost all homes have large, well maintained gardens.
The first plot at Plattekloof was serviced and sold as recently as the early 1970s and from the start the developers ensured that the landscaping would be spacious and well planted, with wide boulevards and many open green areas. Today, therefore, Plattekloof is one of the most attractive suburbs in the Western Cape. What is more, virtually every home here is relatively modern, or in some cases ultra-modern, with a slick, sophisticated designs. The suburb is today highly sought after by those who live in many of the adjacent areas and further afield – certain buyers have even come in from Johannesburg.
“The whole of Plattekloof,” said Filippo Ingoglia, the Rawson Property Group franchisee (along with his wife Samantha) for this area, “can be classed as middle or upper middle bracket.”
This, he said, is revealed clearly by the household incomes of Plattekloof residents. According to Deeds Office figures compiled by Lightstone, families living in Plattekloof earn between R67,000 and R75,000 per month – an income level that is comparable with those of Bishopscourt and Upper Constantia.
The nature of the suburb is also revealed by the current prices: in Plattekloof I and II most of the homes are now priced between R2,8 million and R10 million. In Baronetcy Security Estate, the prices range from R4,5 million to R20 million. At Leopard Rock prices range from R3,8 million to R6 million and at Little Rock from R2,2 million to R2,9 million, while at Silwerkloof, they range from R1,8 million to R2,6 million, making this the most affordable of all the Plattekloof areas.
“The good news”, said Ingoglia, “is that we can and do cater for a fairly wide range of potential buyers - but it has to be admitted that perhaps 30% of would-be buyers here are hoping to find something below R1,5 million and this is virtually impossible, especially as there are so few sectional title units in Plattekloof.”
“Right now”, says Ingoglia, “much of the demand is for homes in the R1,6 million to R2 million category – the least expensive properties we have to offer. However, there are signs that interest in properties priced up to R4 million is growing week by week, and there are also signs that the upper brackets, i.e. homes priced from R5 million to R20 million, will start moving in the not too distant future.”
Ingoglia warned, as have many other Rawson Property Group franchisees this year, that although the market is slanted in favour of sellers, they must avoid being too confident at this stage and must avoid overpricing. This, he said, is a trend that is now evident throughout the Greater Cape Town area.
Some examples of what this area has to offer a home buyer can be gained by four homes now being sold by this Rawson franchise. These are:
· A 255 m2, four bedroomed, two bathroom, double storey home, in a Cape Vernacular style. The home, which has a spacious stoep open onto the views, also has a study and a garage for two cars. The price is R2,650,000.
· A 600 m2, double storey, four bedroomed home with three bathrooms, and no less than six communal areas, as well as a study. This is in Plattekloof III and the price is R4,5 million. The home also has a flatlet on the premises.
·A five bedroomed (all en-suite) double storey home, with three garages and a swimming pool. This home is in Plattekloof IV and is priced at R7,75 million.
· A triple storey, five bedroomed, four garage home. This, said Ingoglia, is being marketed by himself and has superb finishes, including natural stone on part of the façade. It is particularly spacious due to extensive use of open balconies and full length glazing. The price here is R16 million.
For further information contact Filippo Ingoglia on 021 558 1417 or at filippo.ingoglia@rawson.co.za.
