One in three Capetonians quite probably do not know where Witsand is or why it is so liked by the relatively small number of people who own property there and/or use it for their regular weekend getaways and holidays, says Tony Clarke, MD of Rawson Properties '“ but, he adds, at the moment there are excellent reasons for buying at Witsand because, although prices are now very low, all the indicators point to a steady revival taking place in the market.
Witsand is sited on to the north eastern bank of the Breede River mouth, which at this point is 1,8km wide. The village has over 3km of beach frontage facing onto San Sebastian Bay, a stretch of water that is famous for its whale population (up to 100 whale families come to the bay annually).
Some of the homes here date back to the early 19th Century, but there has in the last decade been a small building and renovation boom which has resulted in many homes being able to achieve prices of R4 million or more.
Rawson Properties franchisees for the area (which includes Malgas 40km upriver, as well as the small town of Infanta on the southern side) are Leon and Hanli Pretorius.
'One of the factors that makes this such a good operation,' says Clarke, 'is that the Pretorius family has lived and worked in the area since 1934. Mr Pretorius Senior, a trawler owner, used to take his ship in and out of the treacherous 100m wide tidal river mouth, and the family is highly respected in the area'
Leon Pretorius said recently that only ±300 people, mostly retired, live permanently in Witsand, but over weekends there can be 1 000 there, and in the peak holiday seasons the figure rises to more than 5 000, some 20% of whom camp or caravan.
The big attractions of the area, he said, are the warm sea and river bathing, surfing and kite surfing and, most importantly, fishing.
'This is the home of the Dusky Cob, which is excellent eating but which is well protected in the river as the conservancy covers some 50km of the estuary, and zoning ensures that all the faster, noisier boat activities take place upriver'
On Rawsons 'homes for sale' stock list Pretorius will at any one time have 50 properties for sale, at an average price currently of R1,2 million. The prices range between R220 000, for a small sectional title unit, up to R5 million for a modern four or five bedroom home with many luxury features.
"Todays prices," says Pretorius, "are 30% down on those of 2006/2007 but this significant discount is unlikely to last more than another year, making now a good time to buy."
'The turnaround has definitely begun,' he said. 'In 2006 Witsands had 53 sales of freestanding homes and 16 of sectional units. By 2009 these were down to 18 home sales and two sectional title sales. This year, however, we are already up to 17 homes and eight sectional title units sold '“ with clear indications that the coming holiday season will produce a new crop of sales'
For those wanting to be close to a three star hotel, Rawsons can offer sectional title units on the Breede River Lodge property at Port Beaufort. Here, as indicated, a small bedsitter can be had for as little as R220 000, while the luxury units can cost R2 million. Pretorius has sold seven of these units this year.
Right now, he says, he is not yet focussed on developing the Malgas and Infanta markets but the time will come, when these areas will be actively worked by his team. His basic message remains the same: get in and buy now because prices will never again be so favourable and this charming little fishing village is one of the few in SA that will retain its cut-off, laidback, friendly ambience for years to come '“ and remain virtually untouched by crime.
'This is one town where people can go out to dinner and leave their doors unlocked. This alone is a huge draw-card for many buyers from the cities'
For further information contact Leon Pretorius on 079 353 6199 or email witsand@rawsonproperties.com.
