Strong demand continues for homes in Bothasig, Edgemead and Summer Greens

THE SUBURBS between the N1 and N7, to the north-east of Cape Town, have often been off the radar for property buyers from outside the area in the past, but the strong demand being experienced at present could indicate that this is starting to change, says Quinton Dawson, senior sales agent at the Rawson Property Group’s Bothasig franchise.

“Bothasig, Edgemead and Summer Greens are all very family- oriented neighbour- hoods, but they each cater to a slightly different market segment, which helps attract a variety of buyers to the area. In general, they’re all considered relatively low-crime areas, they are close to shopping centres and major highways, and are very central to most of Cape Town and its surrounds.”

Bothasig is the oldest of the three neighbourhoods, built on what was originally the Bosmansdam farm. Houses in the suburb can be up to 50 years old and are typically about 130m² in size, with three bedrooms and a single garage on stands of around 600m².

“There are still some old ‘prefabs’ in Bothasig from back in the day,” says Dawson, “and they are an attractive option for buyers who want to add value through renovation. People who prefer more modern houses, however, will find plenty towards the southern side of Bothasig, near Edgemead, with prices ranging from R1.195 mil- lion to R2.04m, depending on size, location and style.”

Edgemead is marginally younger than Bothasig, and the oldest properties there are seldom more than 40 years old. The houses tend to be slightly more spacious as well, with three to four bedrooms and double garages, although the erven are a little smaller than those in Bothasig, at an average of 500m².

“One of Edgemead’s main attractions is its green and leafy environment,” says Dawson. “It’s very much a garden suburb, and that’s definitely one of the things buyers in the area look for. We are seeing a decrease in the number of people wanting properties with swimming pools, however, probably because of the rising water and electricity rates, and the amount of upkeep pools require.”

Lower-end prices in Edgemead are similar to those in Bothasig, starting at around R1.145m. The ceiling price is a little higher, however, topping out at just under R3m.

“Buyers in Bothasig and Edgemead tend to be quite similar, and the average household income of the two suburbs is the same. However, Edgemead is perceived as a slightly more affluent area.”

On the other end of the scale is Summer Greens, the newest of the three suburbs, and the result of several phases of development that have created a selection of compact and very affordable homes.

“Summer Greens definitely has the smallest properties in the area,” Dawson says, “but the more affordable prices make it a great option for firsttime buyers.”

Houses in Summer Greens typically have two to three bedrooms, and are around 100m² in size with a carport or a single garage on about 300m² of land. Prices start at R595 000 and peak at R900 000.

“Between the three neigh- bourhoods, there’s something to suit almost everyone here,” says Dawson, “from a fixerupper, to a good old-fashioned family home, to a contemporary gem or a compact lock-upand-go. It’s not surprising that demand is strong. It does make things tricky for buyers, because of the shortage of stock, but the return on investment that we’ve been seeing – nearly in the double digit region – makes it worth the effort in the end.”