Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Sustained demand at Welgevonden Estate
WELGEVONDEN Estate, on the northern edge of Stellenbosch, is enjoying sustained demand from buyers seeking a secure, familyfriendly lifestyle.
Located at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains, the estate is one of the largest residential developments in the country, occupying nearly 38ha and incorporating just over 950 erven.
Established in 1998, the estate is now approaching maturity and only 25 properties are still vacant.
The rest have been developed with a mix of freehold homes, ranging from compact two-bedroomed houses to larger family homes with four bedrooms and double garages.
Plot sizes range from 144m to around 250m2, although a few properties occupy erven of over 300m .
Pricing for completed homes spans from R1.2 million for smaller starter homes to just under R3m at the top end of the market.
The few remaining vacant erven are typically around 180m in size and they are priced from R540 000 to R990 000.
Lightstone statistics indicate that Welgevonden Estate has enjoyed some of the highest turnover in Stellenbosch over the past few years, on unit sales and rand value.
A total of 46 property transfers were registered between January and May this year over all agencies.
Pam Golding Properties (PGP) agents Dirk Carstens and Sheldon Rogers say there has been particularly high demand from first-time buyers, especially for the smaller homes priced at about R1.2m.
“Other buyer categories include families wanting a safe environment in which to raise their children – especially those relocating from upcountry provinces due to security concerns,” say the agents.
“There have also been a number of sales to existing Welgevonden residents who are scaling up or down as their circumstances change.
“This movement within t he estate is a sure indicator that residents never want to give up this appealing lifestyle.”
The agents say investment buyers are also keen on homes in Welgevonden Estate, given the sustained demand for property sales as well as rental opportunities.
Affordable pricing and aboveaverage price growth add to the appeal – the estate achieved house price growth of about 16 percent from 2011 to last year, and the average price for the past six years was a healthy 10 percent, according to Lightstone.
Security remains one of the estate’s key selling points and features include two biometric accesscontrolled entrance points, electric perimeter fencing and round-theclock security guard patrols.
This network enables residents to enjoy a relaxed, communityf ocused l i f e s t yl e, making t he most of extensive green areas and parks with picnic tables, pedestrian byways and a dam for fishing and rowing.
Panoramic views of mountains and vineyards provide an ideal backdrop for jogging and walking, and for communal events.
Another huge drawcard for residents is the on-site shopping centre, which opened in 2010.
Stone Square tenants include a Spar, a Curves gym, a coffee shop and takeaway outlets, as well as a laundromat, an auto clinic, a music school and other small businesses.
Call Dirk Carstens on 072 446 0990 and Sheldon Rodgers on 071 224 5642 or e-mail dirk.carstens@pamgolding.co.za.