Neighbourhood PTA - 29 July 2018

Neighbourhood 29 JULY 2018

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Horsing around The upmarket suburb of Rietvalleirand brings countryside living to your doorstep, page 2

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SUBURB FOCUS: RIETVALLEIRAND

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BUSINESS Q&A

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PROPERTY NEWS

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PROPERTY NEWS

29 JULY 2018

Neighbourhood

Suburb focus

Rietvalleirand Here’s what’s happening in property in the area WORDS: BETSIE LOOCK-VAN DER MERWE IMAGES: RENE WALKER & GOOGLE MAPS *Map not to scale

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ietvalleirand is a booming upmarket residential neighbourhood located on Pretoria East’s south-eastern border with Centurion.

Property in this suburb is not only high in demand because of its beautiful countryside setting close to the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve, it also offers superb access to Gauteng’s major highways like the N1, N14 and R21.

Main roads in the area like Delmas, Solomon Mahlangu, De Villebois Murielle and Boeing roads also place neighbouring suburbs within easy reach.

Being positioned on the border of the Jacaranda City’s main regions, residents of Rietvalleirand have access to the best educational, medical, shopping and recreational facilities both Pretoria East and Centurion have to offer.

Property The real-estate market in Rietvalleirand is characterised by a huge variety of property types in the sectional-title and full-title range.

These include compact apartments, townhouse complexes, cluster and duet homes, as well as freestanding family homes and glitzy, extravagant residences in exclusive lifestyle or security estates. Accordingly, property prices also display a huge variation – from entry-level homes starting around R700 000, right through to multi-million-rand properties at the top end of the market.

The age demographics of stable property owners and recent buyers in the area largely – over 80% – lean towards the mature and established resident above the age of 35. This suburb is also home to the popular and comprehensive Sunrise View Retirement Village for 50 plussers.

Being one of Pretoria’s newer suburbs, properties generally boast modern contemporary designs and architecture, open-plan living spaces and high-end finishes.

Many have lofts, balconies and/ or second storeys with beautiful views over the scenic countryside.

Schooling

Parents of school-going children have a large selection of good primary and high schools in the surrounding areas.

Laerskool Elarduspark in the neighbouring suburb of Elarduspark, is a well-established primary school that welcomed its first 731 learners in 1983. Over the years the school has distinguished itself as a top school in Pretoria East, offering academic, cultural and sports education of a high standard.

EAT: • Roco Mamas Irene Village Mall: build your own smash burger • Elephant & Friends Moreleta Park: great menu and a friendly pub atmosphere • Rietvlei Coffee Shop: scrumptious breakfasts and light meals • Tucson Spur Steak Ranch: great for families • Ocean Basket Cornwall View: for seafood lovers

PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING 1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga Roads Milnerton, Cape Town

Pretoria Chinese School, just north east of Rietvalleirand in Wingate Park, boasts a long and proud history since 1934. The school provides quality education to learners from EDITORIAL TEAM:

ADVERTISING SALES:

Group Editor: Charis Le Riche charisl@yourneighbourhood.co.za Senior Sub-Editor: Marana Brand Designers: Anja Bramley, Samantha Durand and Leah de Jager

Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423 Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info Production (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen pretoria@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Chantelle Balsdon chantelle@augmentcreative.com

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29 JULY 2018

Neighbourhood

Cornwall View Shopping Centre Vallei Forum local centre Elardus Park Shopping Centre Irene Village Mall Winmore Village Moreleta Park

Cornwall Hill College, situated about 6km to the south east of Rietvalleirand, is an independent school established in 1998. The number of pupils has since grown from 380 learners ranging from Grade 0 to Grade 9, to over 1,700 learners from Grade 000 to Grade 12.

Laerskool Monumentpark and Hoërskool Waterkloof are also situated within reasonable distance from the neighbourhood, while Rietvalleirand is home to Rietvlei Akademie, a school focusing on children with ADHD, and Village Waldorf School, which is a small private school providing the educational and spiritual values of Waldorf education.

SEE: • Game and birdlife at Rietvlei Nature Reserve • Movies at Irene Village Mall • The historic Erasmus Castle on the hills nearby • The Smuts House Museum close by • Cows and other farm animals at Irene Dairy Farm • Graceland Fun Farm

Explore

Rietvalleirand is literally located only a few minutes’ drive from the

GRACELAND FUN FARM

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PROPERTY NEWS

Grade 00 to Grade 12. Although initially established by the Chinese community, children from all backgrounds are welcome. While English is the instruction medium, it also teaches Mandarin from Grade 00 as a compulsory second additional language. Afrikaans first additional language is compulsory as well, and isiZulu second additional language was introduced in Grade 1 in 2016 and will progress up the grades each year.

SHOP: • • • • •

Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve. This reserve comprises 3,800ha of open grassland, wetlands, the Rietvlei Dam, as well as indigenous tree species.

It offers many outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

These include freshwater fishing, hiking, horse trails, camping, game viewing, bird watching, picnicking or enjoying delicious eats and drinks at the Rietvlei Coffee Shop housed in the old farmhouse in the reserve.

The suburb is also centrally located to several golf courses and country clubs in the surrounding areas.

Wingate Park Golf Course, Irene Golf Course, Waterkloof Golf Club, Kimiad Golf Course and Driving Range and Centurion Golf Club are all situated within a radius of approximately 12km from Rietvalleirand.

In addition to several small- to medium-sized shopping malls in and around the neighbourhood, Rietvalleirand is also within close proximity to many bigger malls like Menlyn Park, Menlyn Maine, Irene Village Mall, Woodlands Boulevard and Centurion Mall, offering a huge diversity of entertainment ranging from movie theatres and kids’ gaming and play areas to a myriad of restaurants, show venues and even a casino.

We are extremely happy here. It is a beautiful residential area, safe and clean with lots of trees. Early mornings and late afternoons are perfect for running and walking, even with a pram. We also have excellent access to highways, shops and schools.

LOUISE THERON, RESIDENT

CORNWALL VIEW SHOPPING CENTRE

TUCSON SPUR STEAK RANCH

For sale

For rent

Median asking price:

Median asking price:

R2,25m

R15,500

Monthly bond repayments

For a typical property (three-bedroom house)

For a typical property in this area

R1,29m

R958,750

R2,53m

In a complex

For an apartment

For a house

You’ll pay

R21,713

For a typical property (three-bedroom house)

R9,250

R6,100

R16,275

In a complex

For an apartment

For a house

per month

Property type:

74%

Property type:

house

Based on

3%

apartment

23% complex

62% house

R2,25m

20%

median asking price

over a period of 20 years at 10% prime

apartment

18% complex

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PROPERTY NEWS RETIREMENT FOCUS

29 JULY 2018

My business neighbourhood

Neighbourhood

Little Bird Vocal Academy offers singing lessons in Wierda Park WORDS: ZENA LE ROUX

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

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ittle Bird Vocal Academy offers one-on-one vocal training for those who want to learn to sing or improve their singing talent. Owner Angelique Bouwer tells us more.

Q: How did your business start?

A: I trained under Florrie Janse van Rensburg for numerous years and she encouraged me to eventually start teaching too. I took a huge leap of faith with much encouragement from friends and family and opened my own vocal studio in September 2014.

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

A: I’ve been living in Wierda Park for quite a few years and, as I’m familiar with the area, it was an easy choice to run my business from home.

Q: How did you find your premises?

A: We found the house a few years ago and decided to buy it because of the area. It’s quite central and close to schools.

Q: Why are they ideally suited to your business?

A: I’m a mother, so being near my children is important to me and also very convenient. We’re also close to many schools, which is where most of my students come from.

Q: Who are your neighbours?

A: Regular suburb dwellers.

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

A: It’s quite affordable. There are many home-based small businesses in the area.

Q: How many people visit your business each day?

A: It varies – I only give lessons in the afternoons after school. So I can have up to three or four students per day.

Q: Do you have any expansion plans?

A: Not at this stage – the size suits me, but I am always open to new students.

Q: Do you operate online as well?

A: No – it’s not suited to this kind of business, but I do make use of Facebook to share news of what’s going on at Little Bird.

SEE FOR YOURSELF: Little Bird Vocal Academy 084 685 6688 facebook.com/LittleBirdVA

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PROPERTY NEWS RETIREMENT FOCUS

29 JULY 2018

New seaside resort for KZN’s North Coast

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inley, one of Tongaat Hulett’s northern development initiatives, already has four significant international resort operators showing interest to operate a new, international beach resort on the site – the first of its kind in Southern Africa.

Tinley will cater to the international and domestic tourism markets with capacity for mixed-use development as well. Tongaat Hulett Developments managing director Michael Deighton says, “Tourism has been identified as both a national and provincial priority and together with the associated ancillary economic activities, will have a significant impact on socio-economic growth and development in the region.

“To this end, we have been working closely with the local and provincial government to present the opportunity

to solicit national and international brands looking at opportunities to establish themselves in KwaZulu-Natal.”

The strategic objective is to create enhanced value in the surrounding assets which will benefit from proximity to, and association with the resort and higher-pricing premiums as destination value takes hold in the area. The EIA (environmental impact assessment) process for the resort opportunity is currently underway with the identification of the international hotel operator soon to be announced.

Deighton says, “Just like Sibaya Coastal Precinct and other projects before that, through Tinley we will ensure there is purposeful shared-value creation for all our stakeholders and this will include the nearby rural communities, which will also benefit socially and economically from this development.”

Guaranteed rental return at Cape hotel

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he Capital Mirage Hotel at 40 Chiappini Street in De Waterkant, next to the V&A Waterfront, is offering property investors the opportunity to buy apartments within the hotel, with a guaranteed rental income from the investment for three years, with an option to extend for up to nine years – even if there’s no occupancy.

Rob Stefanutto, group managing director, Dogon Group Properties, explains, “Rental return is as important as capital growth and purchasing property within a hotel that guarantees a rental income, is a great investment option. Occupation date is on transfer, so no rental is lost and The Capital Mirage guarantees a 6%

annual escalation. There are also no maintenance issues with an on-site maintenance team handling the upkeep of your unit on your behalf.”

The Capital Mirage is unique in that it’s the only property investment opportunity that makes such guarantees.

“Buying-to-let is a popular strategy for investors who hold property in their portfolios. However, it comes with risks should you not find a tenant, or have a tenant that reneges on payment.

An option such as that provided

by The Capital Mirage effectively removes the risk of vacancies and subsequent loss of income for the buy-to-let owner,” adds Stefanutto.

Hope for savvy Joburg landlords T he rental market in many Joburg suburbs has shown encouraging signs of revival this year, but it remains a competitive market and landlords who best cater to their market’s needs will reap the healthiest returns.

So says Shaun Groves, rental specialist for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in Gauteng, adding, “There has certainly been a healthier appetite and good uptake for rental property, especially during the second quarter of 2018, but I can’t say that it’s due to a massively improved sentiment as landlords and tenants are still very concerned.

“In 2017, the entry to the middlemarket, sectional-title sector in Sandton took the hardest knock with a spike in vacancies and a sharp drop in yields. However, The Parks area was generally the most

resilient and the situation has not changed much this year despite renewed activity in the sector.”

While the rental market may not be booming, there are still solid returns to be made if investment buyers do their homework.

“Middle-income areas near good schools remain ever popular and if I were to be drawn into where I would be investing my own money at the moment, I would look to Duxberry – an absolute gem of a suburb – secure, good value and close to the French school.”

Groves concludes that if landlords are negotiable on rentals and increases, price their properties competitively and offer a well-maintained product in a sought-after area, there’s no reason why they wouldn’t yield good returns – both in the short and long term.

Neighbourhood

Hammer down South Africans are familiar with commercial, industrial and farm auctions, but residential is still largely unchartered territory WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK

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ccording to Reiner Sternzhorn of auctioneers in2Assets, “The volume of residential auctions escalates dramatically in a distressed economy. More properties come on to the market, and that over-supply makes it more difficult to sell quickly.” Internationally, an auction is a perfectly acceptable way to sell a house, not so here.

South Africans unsure

“Residential auctions still mostly comprise distressed and insolvent auctions,” says Reiner. He puts down South Africans’ uncertainty to numerous reasons. “These sales are unsuspensive – large deposits are payable on the auction day. The sale is not subject to the approval of a loan, and if buyers cannot come up with the balance, they lose their deposit. Buyers don’t want that risk.”

Inexperience plays a role, too.

“Buyers are often first-timers and feel intimidated by an auctioneer and the swift process of an auction.

Equally, buyers feel intimidated by other bidders and can come up against experienced buyers representing syndicates,” explains Reiner. “Inexperienced buyers often don’t ascertain prior to the auction what other costs are payable,

like outstanding rates, taxes, or more.

Many of the Rules of Auction burden the buyer with onerous obligations to pay for electrical and entomologist certificates, not even knowing the costs.”

Advice

Bottom line, it’s imperative that buyers do their homework before an auction.

Her advice for prospective buyers, “View and inspect any property before the auction date – all auction properties are sold ‘voetstoots’ (as is), so the purchaser is unable to negotiate and get warranties or undertakings.”

From a seller’s perspective

A slow market means a slow property sale. On auction, it’s faster, and bidders aren’t “just looking”. Some auction houses insist on a buyer being pre-approved for a bond prior to bidding, so the auction sale is unlikely to fall through due to the seller’s inability to qualify for a bond.

How to buy on auction

Although it differs between auction houses, the process loosely goes as follows: 1. Potential buyers view and inspect the property 2. Buyers register before or on the day and pay a deposit, which is refundable if unsuccessful 3. If successful, a buyer immediately pays a deposit of either 5% or 10% of the bid price 4. Then bank guarantees for the balance of the purchase price are due within a specified period of time, anything between 21 to 45 days.

“You cannot negotiate the terms and conditions of an auction sale. It’s take it or leave it,” says Maria Davey of Meumann White Attorneys.

Maria suggests that if a buyer has concerns about anything on the property, get a professional to look.

“The purchaser must ascertain first-hand whether there is any damage or work to be done so as to decide how much to bid.”

She adds, “Obtain copies of the title deeds, plans, any lease agreements and the zoning certificate if relevant. Get hold of a copy of the conditions of sale and make sure you understand the meaning of it all before the auction. This will also set out what the purchaser is accepting liability for, like municipal rates.”

She cautions, “A winning bid at an auction is legally binding and cannot be retracted later without repercussions.”

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2ND A VE

WARREN BECKER 082 302 3004 | warren@thehoughton.com ASHLEIGH SMITH 073 220 7357 | ashleigh@thehoughton.com Houghton on 12th, 53 Second Ave, Houghton | Show apartment 12733

Come and have a look at our luxury apartments 12733 and 8555, available daily for viewings

UT O D L SO