Strand estate agents discuss the property and lifestyle in the area.
Who is buying property in the area and what types of properties are available?
The Strand is a real gem enjoying a fabulous seaside setting, a 5km Blue Flag beach with an upgraded promenade including trendy eateries and world-class apartment blocks. As well as attracting local residential buyers, it is increasingly becoming popular with holiday home buyers, especially the beach front area, which encompasses a wide range of apartment complexes with fabulous views and some with added amenities. Next to this, is the popular Greenways Golf Estate that offers a 9-hole golf course and a mix of sectional title and freehold homes that includes fabulous beach houses. Properties within the town itself tend to be a bit older and are exceptionally well priced from about R600,000 to around R1m.
Alten Vermaak: Managing director, Seeff, Strand
What attracts buyers to Strand?
Strand is situated on the eastern edge of False Bay and on the foot of the Hottentots Holland mountains which means you have both mountains and ocean on your doorstep. A mere 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport or the Stellenbosch winelands and only a 50km drive to Cape Town along the N2, it’s easy to live in Strand and commute to Cape Town. With top-class shopping malls, excellent medical facilities, and a number of high-quality government and public schools on the one hand, and a community that still has that village feel and supports a balanced lifestyle on the other, Strand offers buyers the best of both worlds. House prices are still very reasonable and you definitely get value for your money.
Claudia Liebenberg: Residential real estate specialist, Keller Williams Realty
What can buyers expect to pay for property?
Properties available in the Strand area vary in price. Over the past 12 months a total of 1,400 properties changed hands, but interestingly enough, there were less than 30 properties that sold for more than R3m. The majority of sales were either entry level or in the range of R1m to R2m. Currently there are entry-level properties for sale, mainly smaller apartments, which vary from R300,000 to R500,000. Apartments on Beach Road again vary in price. The majority are between R2m and R3m. We have, however, just sold a two-bedroom apartment in Welgelegen for R1m. There are some good freehold properties in the market below R2m.
Anton Campbell-Harris: Principal, Westacre Estates
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
