Situated at the foot of the Soutpansberg Mountain range in the Limpopo province, Louis Trichardt has shouldered its fair share of ups and downs in the property market over the past few years.
Statistics recently released by Lightstone reveal that 94 sales took place in the area during 2011, an increase on the 81 sales recorded in 2010. Overall, the average price paid for a freehold property was R762 000, which was down from the R795 000 average achieved during 2010. That said, three properties sold were in the R1.5-million to R3-million price bracket. Sectional title price averages on the other hand proved to be more stable and rose from R570 000 in 2010 to R641 000 in 2011.
Although it is early days, there have already been 14 transfers so far this year. Price averages for freehold property are up and at this stage are averaging around the R1.4-million mark. The sectional title average has declined in recent months and the average price paid for a unit is currently R528 000. There seems to have been an influx of younger buyers to the area and 32.31 percent of recent purchasers fall into the age category of between 18 to 35 years. The stats reveal that 31 of the properties were cash deals, although banks did finance property to the tune of 38-million.
Situated on the N1, the town is the prefect stop for those heading for the Kruger National Park and as such features a wide variety of accommodation. There are a number of smaller game reserves in the area including Blouberg Nature Reserve and Langjan Nature Reserve, both of which are regarded as a birder’s paradise. The Schoemansdal Open Air Museum in the town affords visitors a clear understanding of what life was like for early settlers. For the more active, there are hiking trails and mountain biking facilities.
Famed for the baobabs that dot the landscape, the Tree Bar, which is situated inside a 6000 year old example of one of these magnificent trees, attracts around 7000 tourists every year. The tree, which measures some 155 feet in diameter and can accommodate approximately 54 people, has been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.
