House prices on the West Rand are “realistic”, one of the reasons behind a growing influx of home buyers to the area who are willing to add extended travelling times to their daily workplace commute in exchange for good brick-and-mortar value for money.
That’s the assertion of Louis Barbosa, principal of Harcourts Rhino in Roodepoort on the West Rand.
Calling the West Rand “the undiscovered jewel in the Gauteng crown”, Barbosa says people venturing out west for the first time are invariably impressed at the area’s facilities, scenic countryside setting and the competitive pricing of its housing stock. This, along with its proximity to excellent highways, which soften the distance between the Johannesburg city centre and home, is behind a growing number of buyers’ decisions to cancel their searches in other closer, though more expensive, locales, maintains Barbosa, a 25 year veteran of the West Rand property sector.
Extending from Randfontein in the west to Roodepoort in the east and encompassing Krugersdorp, the West Rand grew out of a shanty town created by gold diggers in the late 1800s. Today it’s a 4087km² tapestry of residential suburbs, commercial and industrial activity, agricultural holdings, mines and new development.
Bordered by the centuries-old Magaliesburg Mountains to the west, it’s also home to the world-renowned Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens and the Cradle of Humankind as well as a host of hospitals, schools, golf courses, malls and shops and entertainment centres, says Barbosa.
Upbeat after a vibrant first quarter, Barbosa says his office is enjoying healthy activity throughout the area, with particular demand not so much for suburbs as for price ranges. “Most buying interest is up to the mid-R1 millions, although having said that, a good number of sales are taking place across all price ranges which I attribute in part to the correct price counseling of our sellers,” he avers. To this end, he says properly priced properties are selling within 21 to 30 days of being listed.
Commenting on current market trends on the West Rand, Barbosa says buying decisions tend to hinge around three factors: access to transport to and from work, proximity to schools and affordability. “The popular suburbs are therefore those in which these aspirations can be met. Some folks buy freestanding homes in the older suburbs while others prefer town houses and a simpler, more modern lifestyle. On the West Rand, they’re not limited to townhouse living owing to budget constraints. There are freestanding houses in the same price range as townhouses, albeit in the older suburbs.”
First time buying activity is particularly strong at the moment, he continues, hence the quick turnover of units in the R400 000 to R600 000 price range, the threshold at which no transfer duty is payable.
This will typically buy a two or three bedroom apartment or townhouse, with at least one bathroom and a garage or carport. Among the best of his office’s listings in this category at the moment is a neat, secure unit in Wilgeheuwel for R439 000. Offering two bedrooms, full bathroom, modern kitchen, balcony with built-in braai and a carport, it’s an ideal starter home or buy-to-let property, he says.
Buyers who prefer freehold living have a wide choice, from basic three bedroom houses in areas such as Maraisburg and Florida, which start at around R650 000 to larger, more luxurious family homes in Wilro Park, Noordheuwel, Roodekrans and Helderkruin, which cost upwards of R1 million.
At the top end of the market, in suburbs such as Helderkruin View, Noordkruin, Noordheuwel, and Ruimsig, Barbosa says large, quality homes in beautiful settings carry price tags of R2 million plus, with some properties in excess of R10 million.
New office listings in this category include a 408m2 country lodge in Kenmare for R2, 150 million. The luxury home, which overlooks the Kenmare Kloofs River, comprises four living areas, a number of sundecks, balconies, sundecks and “chill out” areas, four bedrooms, a study, two and a half bathrooms, guest flat, domestic accommodation, double garage and double carport. Among its many unique features are full length windows, highly polished Rhodesian Teak floors and stepping stone walkways through the infinity pool to the entertainment boma.
There’s also an elegant new 300m2 double-storey in Ruimsig for R2,150 million. It offers four bedrooms (main bathroom en suite), family bathroom and guest bathroom as well as an ultra-modern open-plan kitchen, formal dining and living rooms and a separate family room, double garage and pool in lush, manicured garden.
Barbosa is expecting the West Rand property market to be further stimulated as new developments such as Cradle Stone Mall near the Silver Star Casino reach finalization, which he believes will have a knock-on effect on employment and convenience for residents.
Cautiously optimistic about the continued healthy performance of the West Rand’s real estate sector going forward, he says the potential exists for capital growth to be better than inflation, lending credence to property’s value as a good, long-term investment vehicle.
