Neighbourhood DBN - 18 December 2016

18 DECEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Local gems Explore Durban’s tourism routes this festive season, page 3

Durban North Pier

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SUBURB FOCUS: DURBAN’S TOP TOURIST SPOTS

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BUSINESS Q&A

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PROPERTY NEWS

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PROPERTY NEWS

18 DECEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood

Suburb focus

Durban Central Here’s what’s happening in property in the area IMAGES: ISTOCK

For sale

For rent

Median asking prices

Median monthly asking prices

R954,000

R1,58m

R940,000

R2,37m

R8,500

R12,600

R8,300

R13,700

For a typical property (two-bedroom apartment)

In a complex

For an apartment

For a house

For a typical rental property (two-bedroom apartment)

In a complex

For an apartment

For a house

Properties listed

Properties listed Properties listed for sale in Durban Central comprise approximately 21% of the total sale listings in the Durban area.

21%

Properties listed for rent in Durban Central comprise approximately 19% of the total rental listings in the Durban area.

19%

Interest

Interest Approximately 23% of the interest (views) in properties for sale in the Durban area is attributable to properties listed for sale in Durban Central.

Property types

23%

32%

Approximately 32% of the interest (views) in properties for rent in the Durban area is attributable to properties listed for rent in Durban Central.

apartment

e us ho

Property types

ap a

t en m rt

58%

29%

complex

76% house

13%

14%

complex

10%

Buying in Durban Central The monthly bond repayment to purchase a typical property in Durban Central, namely a two-bedroom apartment, with the median asking price of R945,000 is R9,435 per month over 20 years at prime of 10,5% with no deposit.

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18 DECEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood

Durban’s top tourist spots WORDS: MEGAN DEANE

D

urban boasts incredible summer weather, is a melting pot of cultures and has an array of attractions. From heritage sites, to tasty foods, beach getaways and adrenalin-pumping activities, the list is endless.

“It is going to be a bumper festive season in Durban, as over 1,4 million visitors are expected to land on our shores to enjoy a ‘sunsational’ and memorable summer holiday,” says Philip Sithole, head, Durban Tourism.

“We would like to encourage all our visitors to venture to new hidden gems and tourism routes this holiday. Spend time with the locals at popular township restaurants and get absorbed into the rich history and culture of our vibrant city at the various tourism nodes.”

We take a closer look at some of the popular tourist places and discover what the areas offer visitors.

Durban Point Beachfront

A visit to Durban is not complete without going to the beach. More specifically spending a day at Durban Point Beachfront, where you will find a myriad activities, restaurants and apartments to rent while you are on holiday. Home to the popular uShaka Marine World, this attraction is ideal for families, and will keep the kids entertained all day.

Valley of a Thousand Hills

An old favourite for both locals and tourists, the Valley of a Thousand Hills is nestled in Botha’s Hill. A 30-minute drive from Durban Central, the area has breathtaking views of lush green rolling hills and unspoilt natural surroundings.

It is renowned for its warm country hospitality, eateries with delicious food, trail walking paths and wildlife.

Close to this area, you can experience the rich Zulu heritage at PheZulu Game Park, or taste some craft beer from the Porcupine Quill Brewing Company.

Woza eNanda Heritage Route Taking tourists on an adventure

through some important, yet littleknown, historical sites, Woza eNanda Heritage Route winds through the Inanda Valley. “The Woza eNanda Heritage Route has a strong appeal to our young adventure tourists. It is a place where you can canoe, mountain bike, hire a quad bike or have coffee at one of the most breathtaking spots in Durban, Wushwini, that overlooks the Inanda Dam,” says Sithole.

These three areas are just a fraction of what Durban has to offer.

SUMMER ATTRACTIONS: • • • • •

Fact Durban Rocks Durban Jazz Festival Durban Underground Vodacom Beach Festival Indlamu Cultural and Traditional Festival • Woze Durban Picnic • Umgababa New Year’s Picnic

PROPERTY NEWS

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PROPERTY NEWS

18 DECEMBER 2016

Neighbourhood

My business A neighbourhood

spiring to design modest attire that is beautiful, elegant and fitting for the South African market, Raihaana Suliman and Sameera Paruk embarked on their online fashion business, Hanamira.

Dressing the modest in stylish wear that truly depicts the unique trends and fashion flair of South Africa WORDS: MEGAN DEANE

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Q: How did your business start?

A: It was a dream for us to sell modest, trendy clothing that met the needs of conservative dressers. We wanted to create something that would work for women in our country.

This was when we decided to design our own modest wear brand that has a South African uniqueness.

Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop?

A: We work from home in the Morningside/Overport area.

It is centrally located for most people in Durban, making it easy to meet clients in nearby coffee shops and malls.

Q: How did you find your premises?

A: Our premises are our home and there is something personal and comforting about working at home that allows us to be flexible and family orientated.

Q: Why are the premises ideally suited to your business?

A: This area is such a vibrant and busy area. There is always something happening around the corner like markets and fairs that draw our customers to this area.

Hotel, unique coffee shops and markets like The Morning Trade and the Rooftop Night Market.

Q: What are the shop rental/ sales prices like in this area?

A: We have not had to look into this yet as we currently operate online.

With constant requests to view and try on items, a retail space is something to consider for the future.

Q: What is your shop footprint?

A: A lthough we are based in Durban, we function as an online store on social media so our customers are all over the country.

Q: Do you have any expansion plans?

A: Not just yet as we are fairly new and just about finding our place in the industry. We love the idea of a quirky boutique and a vibey coffee shop, this is our ultimate dream/goal.

Q: Do you operate online as well?

A: Most of our business happens online through Facebook and Instagram (@hanamira_modestwear).

People can find our range, make enquiries and place orders.

Q: What’s your most popular item?

A: The long-knit cardigan which came in with our first range in winter this year. This item was such a winner, so versatile, trendy and modest at the same time!

SEE FOR YOURSELF: Q: Who are your neighbours?

A: O verport is highly populated and has a variety of eating places and ethnic fashion outlets, while Morningside has modern spaces like Coastlands

Hanamira 083 786 0906 / 072 645 0437 facebook.com/hanamirasa

Scottburgh Mall is a major retail hub on the upper South Coast of Durban. A community Mall of 15 000 square meters, we offer our shoppers ‘Everything You Need’. Whether you’re looking to indulge in a little retail therapy or meet friends for a meal, Scottburgh Mall is the place for you! Shops include Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Food Lover’s Market, Clicks, Sheet Street, Spec Savers, Pep Stores, The Crazy Store, PostNet and CNA. Pick up the latest fashion at Mr Price, Pick n Pay Clothing, Trendy Shoes, Clothing Junction, Senqu, and Bags and Things.

You will also find all banks represented, hair and beauty salons, dentist, health shop, and Body Zone Gym in the centre.

Grab a bite to eat from Wimpy, Debonairs, Steers, Spur, King Pie or Ninos Café. The mall offers ample free parking and is just a leisurely half an hour drive from Durban. Get easy access to and from the Mall from the N2 south highway. With a free flowing layout and ground floor shopping, Scottburgh Mall embodies convenience shopping at its best. With a mall and ablution revamp recently undertaken, Scottburgh Mall is once again the vibrant, dominant, retail shopping experience in the area.

R102 and Margaret Avenue Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal Tel: 039 976 1045 | Email: lorraine@scottburghmall.co.za

www.facebook.com/ScottburghMall/

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PROPERTY NEWS

18 DECEMBER 2016

SA housing market in 2017

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hile political and economic uncertainty is likely to continue across the globe next year, it is hoped that local economic growth will be modestly stronger, which will be more supportive for the South African housing market, says Andrew Golding, CEO, Pam Golding Property Group.

“Economists and commentators in general are more positive about growth next year, while business confidence has improved, which in turn enhances overall sentiment which is a key driver of the residential property market.

“Much depends on the performance of the rand, but on balance the general expectation is that inflation will fall

quite noticeably by the second half of 2017, hopefully with the Reserve Bank looking to cut interest rates during this latter part of the year.

“While the prospect of anticipated stronger US growth would support the South African economic growth rate, a stronger US dollar and increase in US interest rates may impact the rand, with implications for inflation and exerting pressure on our own interest rates.”

Golding says against this backdrop a recurring theme internationally both currently and historically is that global uncertainty makes property an attractive investment, with potentially good returns and the opportunity for capital preservation.

Looking at the four major provinces, it is evident the market has been slowing down over recent months. This is more pronounced in the Western Cape and Gauteng with KwaZuluNatal maintaining a steady growth slightly less than 6% and the Eastern Cape slowly picking up.

Despite the slowdown in the Western Cape, it still comes out on top with a rate of 7,9%.

LIGHTSTONE PROPERTY, RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY INDICES OCTOBER 2016

Defaults on home loans increase over holiday period

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pproximately 80% of those who default in December are highly likely to miss January payments. Missed home loan repayments rise on average by more than 10% in the December period, according to FNB Home Loans.

“We find that customers don’t intentionally use their bond money.

However, early salary payments and overspending quickly put consumers into a position where they aren’t able to meet their debt responsibilities at the end of the month,” says Calvin Ndlovu, head of operations, FNB Home Loans.

Around 30% of FNB Home Loans customers are paid early

in December. To help consumers manage their cash flow, the division is running early debit orders in accordance with the early paydays of South African corporates.

Ndlovu says there is an 80% higher chance of customers missing a January repayment, once they have failed to repay December.

“We have seen a strong correlation between missing the December payment and the risk of also failing to pay January’s instalment,” says Ndlovu. “This knock-on effect occurs as consumers are faced with having two bond repayments due in one month, as well as additional expenses such as school fees among other regular financial commitments.”

Water restrictions when renting

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s natural phenomena such as a drought cannot be predicted, a wise solution is to get expert opinion on how to handle the lease agreement in light of the current Western Cape water restrictions.

“If a signed lease stipulates that a tenant has the enjoyment of an irrigation system and the landlord provides garden maintenance, then it is the landlord’s responsibility to make alternate arrangements,” says Natalie Muller, regional head of rentals, Jawitz Properties Western Cape.

A tenant might be expected to water the garden with a bucket or watering can only, as per the restrictions.

This may not be convenient,

particularly if they were expecting to have an irrigation system.

“Should it be objectively impossible for the landlord to provide the service, or at least meet the obligation as per the lease agreement due to the restriction, he cannot be forced to comply with the lease and break the law in the process.

This is called supervening impossibility of performance and the specific clause in the contract dealing with this would fall away,” says Peter Mennen, client legal liaison, TPN Credit Bureau.

You can renegotiate the terms of the lease agreement, in writing, to indicate that the garden is not the landlord’s responsibility or that some of the plants must be tended to, or that it is expected that the lawn may perish.

Neighbourhood

Student accommodation We bring you a few options to help you in your search for a place to stay during your university studies WORDS: MOLLY FITZ-PATRICK

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

W

hen starting your journey as a student, you generally have four main accommodation options: living at home, university residences, digs/shared housing and private student accommodation.

If you’ve decided to go to university in your home town, staying at your family home is a cost-effective and easy option. While many opt for the “proper” student experience by moving out, living at home can be more sensible. You’re comfortable, close by and can save on living expenses.

The saving element is important as student life can be one of financial strain, especially if your course is too demanding to allow for a part-time job.

For those who are going to university in a different town or city, university residences are usually the first choice for accommodation. Residences are usually located very close to or on campus. They offer a fun, comfortable and inclusive living experience.

Students have the chance to join clubs and committees linked to their res, providing opportunities to get involved and have a great student life. Each institution offers several residences. However, there aren’t enough residences to accommodate all the students who need them.

Moving in to a digs is another option.

It’s ideal for students to live with other students, and living in a digs often

gives more freedom than living in a res. Digs also gives you more options in your search; as long as transport is available, there aren’t any restrictions on which areas to consider.

Or you could opt for private student accommodation. These are created with the student in mind and offer a terrific student lifestyle, and some include all the modern conveniences.

Private student accommodation offers all the inclusivity and closeness of a res while giving students more freedom.

Apartments such as CampusKey, which are located close to university campuses, offer excellent facilities that make a student’s life comfortable, secure and easy.

Leon Howell, MD, CampusKey, says: “Students will be able to start their university life with ease, moving in to a luxury, fully furnished room. Water and electricity, as well as Wi-Fi are included in the cost. CampusKey also provides laundry facilities, secure parking, and bicycle storage, clubhouses with DStv as well as fully equipped gyms.”

Parents can rest easy as “security is our number one priority; a dedicated management team is available to students 24/7,” adds Howell.

Consider all of your accommodation options when beginning your student life and choose the one that best suits you, your lifestyle and your budget.

#WinWithCampusKey CampusKey is giving away one year’s accommodation for a lucky student at its brand new Rosebank and Observatory buildings in Cape Town, valued at R72,000, which will include the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

LED TV Secure biometric access Free Wi-Fi 3/4 bed with quality mattress Wall-mounted panel heaters Block-out curtains Study table Bookcase Chair Fridge and freezer Kettle Microwave Fitted cupboards Pinup board Use of the gym Use of braai areas and clubhouse Use of laundry facilities

To enter, fill out the entry form online at yourneighbourhood.co.za/win-withcampuskey. Terms and conditions apply.

LAUNCHING 14 DECEMBER 2016

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deluxe units comprising of 3-bedrooms, a double garage, and upmarket

clubhouse with a pavilion and pool.

finishes. Boasting the prime position within the acclaimed Brettenwood Coastal Estate, the beautiful homes aim to provide a modern feel while still embracing nature. Residents can enjoy the exclusive use of Call: Peter Cameron on 083 796 9999 or 032 525 4581 E-mail: info @ timberlandbce.co.za

Register your interest now at www.timberlandbce.co.za

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