On the positive side

1 Security

Safety concerns are driving the increasing demand for homes in security estates. According to the most recent crime report, two million crimes were recorded in South Africa in 2019 with more than 22,400 cases of robbery at residential premises. Faced with such statistics, buyers want properties with perimeter monitoring, 24hour security and access control.

New trends include a combination of CCTV, access control, security lights and outdoor alarm beams.

2 Community

A lifestyle estate offers residents a wide variety of recreational and sporting features such as swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, parks, gyms, cycling paths, clubhouses and even golf courses. South African developers are pioneering the trend of building schools on estates, which is convenient for parents, and children can walk to and from school.

3 Gardens

Landscaping is a particularly important feature as it not only creates a sense of peace and quiet but also adds to the overall value of the development.

4 Communal areas

The estate maintains communal areas and facilities such as roads, sidewalks, landscaping, perimeter fences and security cameras. This is often overseen by the property owners’ association. Cared for communal areas also add to the value of investment into the estate.

5 Architectural cohesion

A lot of thought and planning go into architectural features and fittings. By regulating a variety of exterior features and making quality mandatory, estates maintain the property’s aesthetic appeal, which increases its value.