The suburb of Sundowner in Johannesburg has attracted the attentions of the ‘upwardly mobile’ thanks largely to the fact that the area offers the perfect balance between work and play. So says Jenny O’ Loughlin of the local Seeff branch which services the area.
An established suburb, Sundowner lies within close reach of a number of central business nodes including Randburg, Fourways and Cresta, offers a healthy mix of properties ranging from affordable studio apartments to large freestanding houses and features green lungs, all of which combine to make the area highly attractive to a broad range of buyers in general but up-and-coming young working couples in particular.
O’ Loughlin explains that typically, working professionals initially set themselves up at one of Sundowner’s one bedroom flats and work their way up to the area’s freehold homes as they marry, start having children and move up in the working world. The fact that a number of good shopping centres and schools such as Aurora, Trinity House Pre-Primary and Boskop Laerskool lie a stone’s throw away from the suburb also attracts young working couples with children to the area.
According to O’ Loughlin, one and two bedroom complexes close to Northgate, of which there are many, are currently selling at between R500 000 and R700 000. Spacious, three bedroom face brick complexes featuring open plan lounges and private gardens can sell for as much as R1,2 million to the right buyer. According to the latest Lightstone report on the area, Sundowner’s Sectional Title homes are currently selling for R720 000 on average.
O’ Loughlin says Sundowner’s freehold property prices range from R1, 1 million to R2, 5 million. There are bargains to be had in the suburb though she says. A number of enterprising buyers have snapped up freehold homes in need of some TLC at discounted prices and spruced them up. Lightstone statistics indicate that Sundowner’s freehold properties are currently selling for around R1, 1 million on average.
Some Sundowner properties fly in the face of all averages though as O’ Loughlin points out. She is currently marketing a magnificent architect designed home for over R6 million in the suburb’s conservancy area which lies between Boundary Road and Honeydew West. This 7000sqm property features five en-suite bedrooms, four garages, a cottage, a pool, a gourmet kitchen, a study, living room and reception area, a TV room, dining room and laundry. Such a property would suit a large family down to the ground or could conceivably be converted into a boutique guesthouse notes O’ Loughlin.
Other factors working in Sundowner’s favour include the fact that it is boomed and that it features a beautiful, clean lake, parklands and a koppie. She says residents feel safe enough to jog and walk their dogs at night and families regularly frequent the parks at weekends.
What is more is that development is taking place in the area and demand for rentals is robust. O’ Loughlin says a large office park is taking shape nearby as is a new residential complex near Jackal Creek Estate. In terms of rental prices, O’ Loughlin says the area’s small apartments and complexes are currently leasing from R4000 pm and upmarket three bedroom, two bathroom freehold homes are currently leasing at between R15 000 and R18 000pm.
