Luxury buyers shift to estates in Pretoria East and Centurion

The shift to estate living has seen somewhat of a boom in Pretoria East with prices upwards of R5m to around R18m paid this year, according to Gerhard van der Linde, MD of Seeff Pretoria East.

Broader market trends on Lightstone show that for the year to the end of October, some 20,626 transactions worth over R25.3b have been concluded across the Tshwane Metro at an average price of R1.228m. Some 4.056, comprising about 16% of all transactions, relate to estates (freehold and sectional title).

While the R3m to R5m price band is the most in demand for estates, a number of  high value estate homes sold for over R5m, and the highest prices paid in Pretoria East were also mostly in the estates.

Van der Linde says that aside from security, estates offer a well-managed environment and sense of community, along with access to amenities such as sport facilities along with open spaces, and access to good schools.

The highest volumes of high-value sales were in Woodhill Golf Estate with a highest price of R10.5m, Silver Lakes Golf Estate with several sales over R10m to a highest price of R18m, and Mooikloof Residential Estate to a highest price of R16m.

Other Pretoria East estates with notable prices paid include The Hills Game Reserve with a highest price of R8.4m, Silverwoods Country Estate with a highest price of R7m, The Wilds Estate with a highest price of R9m, Lombardy Estate with a highest price of R10.5m, and Mooikloof Heights Estate with a highest price of R7.75m.

Pretoria is not just the capital city and seat of national government, but also a top business centre, and a popular residential and investment market. Many foreign embassies and consulates are located in Pretoria East. According to a New World Wealth Report, Pretoria is one of the wealthiest cities on the African continent, and home to some 2,100 high-net-worth individuals.

It notes the top suburbs as Waterkloof and Waterkloof Ridge, as well as luxury lifestyle estates such as Silver Lakes, Mooikloof Equestrian Estate, and Woodhill Estate.

Houses in estates are also in high demand for rentals, and PG van der Linde, rental manager for Seeff Pretoria East, says prices of up to nearly R80,000 per month is not unheard of.

Centurion is also home to a  number of popular security, lifestyle, and golf estates, says Tiaan Pretorius, manager for Seeff Centurion, popular with buyers and tenants. The R3m to R4.5m range tends to be the most popular.

Here too, the highest prices achieved this year were mostly in estates, predominantly in the R5m to R10m range. The highest volume of sales were in Southdowns Estate, Copper Leaf, Centurion Golf Estate, and Cornwall Hill with sales also concluded in Blue Valley Golf Estate, and Irene Farm Villages.

Top end estates in Centurion include Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate which boasts a Gary Player golf course. Prices range upwards of R6.5m to as much as R67m for a high-end home. New World Wealth ranks the estate among the top in the country.

Centurion Golf Estate sells from around R2.3m for a townhouse, and from R3.6m to R18m for houses. Blue Valley Golf Estate, also with a Gary Player golf course, is another popular choice for upper income buyers. It’s priced from around R3.3m around R7m. The estate was one of the top performers last year.

Midstream Estates is one of the largest, and like a suburb on its own with various housing options, schools, shopping, medical care and more. It appeals especially to families and some 72% of all buyers tend to be younger, below 50-years. Prices range from around R3m, says Pretorius.

Thatchfield Residential Estate is a great choice for middle-class buyers, offering three-bedroomed homes from just R1.5m. The estate is great for families, and first-time buyers, as it has a nine-hole golf course, driving range, tennis courts, other sport facilities, communal braai areas, jogging trails, and bird watching along the Rietspruit River.

Writer: Gina Meintjes