AGULHAS OFFERS SEASIDE LIVING FOR 10% LESS THAN 2007 [1/6/2009]

For those who dream of replacing city living with a coastal lifestyle, Cape Agulhas, the little town at the southern-most tip of Africa, has a range of homes on offer for up to 10 percent less than they would have cost a year ago.

According to Strepies van Wyk, principal of Realty 1 International Property Group in Cape Agulhas, there are currently a number of excellent seaside (and nearby) buys in the area, which comprises Struisbaai, L’Agulhas, Arniston, Bredasdorp and Napier. These range from an affordable R325 000 to R11 000 000.

“They would all have sold for more in 2007 than their current asking price and will experience a renewed capital growth surge when the market regains its momentum, which we’re anticipating happening from April 2009,” she says.

Good vacant land buys include an elevated plot in a popular, established area, for R385 000. Similar pieces of land have sold for up to R550 000, she tells. For the well-heeled, there’s a rare 16.8ha small holding with 450 metres of seafrontage that extends up to the high water mark for R11million.

In the apartment sector, best buys include a four bedroom, two bathroom flat for R1, 25 million and a furnished first floor unit for R2, 45 million, both of which boast ocean views.

Bargains at entry level in the housing sector include a 153 m² three bedroom home with separate outside guest suite. While it doesn’t look out over the waves, it is affordably priced at R855 000. Also competitively priced at R995 000 is a three bedroom house in the centre of the town yet close to the beach.

According to Van Wyk, excellent value for money and a fair amount of choice of homes with sea views is currently to be had in the R1 million to R2 million price range. With rental demand for both permanent and holiday accommodation rising steadily in the area, these are also potentially good investment properties, she adds.

For those with more spending power and want to get into the lucrative guest house sector, one of the area’s most successful B & B establishments, now celebrating its tenth year in business, is on the market. At R3, 5 million, the six bedroom, six bathroom American sugar plantation-style house is very well priced, she says, particularly since it overlooks the quaint Struisbaai harbour.

Upwards of R4 million will buy “one of the best positioned properties in Struisbaai. “What makes this home so attractive is that there is no road between it and the sea,” she says. In all, it consists of four bedrooms, three bathrooms and well-planned living area.

There’s also a “competitively” priced 120 hectare property with 2km of river frontage and its own private slipway. Comprising main house, guest cottage, labourer’s house, garages and an office building, permission has been granted for the building of a further three houses, which she says leaves the door wide open to numerous possibilities for the future owner.

Says Van Wyk: “Property in the Overberg area is without a doubt some of the most ideally situated in terms of beautiful natural surroundings, safety and healthy climate. The area lies on the southernmost tip of the African continent, surrounded by mountains, oceans, and endless stretches of fragrant fynbos, which makes it totally unique. This will ensure excellent long-term growth for its real estate as well as an idyllic lifestyle.”