Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Areas are doing more for themselves
Residents take ownership of neighbourhoods
THE OLD way of life for many middle- class people living behind high walls, with little or no knowledge of their neighbours, seems to be changing.
And this is not just for touchy- feely reasons. Areas where people know the people next door and take ownership of their neighbourhoods tend to be safer and cleaner, which means properties are likely to sell for higher prices.
“With municipal and other resources stretched to the limit, community involvement is necessary to achieve a safe, friendly neighbourhood,” says Dawn Bloch, area specialist in Cape Town’s Lakeside, Zwaanswyk and Kirstenhof, for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.
“A few years ago, you could add value to a home by merely upgrading an old bathroom, and buyers often didn’t look at much beyond the property perimeter. But nowadays, especially for Gauteng and KwaZulu- Natal buyers who move here for security and lifestyle reasons, agents are no longer only selling homes but also lifestyles.”
Steve van Wyk, managing director of Seeff Centurion, says residents are beginning to realise they have to take a more active role in their neighbourhood and community, not just in terms of security but also regarding cleanliness and general appearance.
“This is one of the fastest-growing trends in the country, with most suburbs now boasting a local neighbourhood watch system that is connected by WhatsApp, Facebook and two-way radios.
“Doringkloof is one area renowned for its active neighbourhood watch, but many suburbs have small, local community groups involved in cleaning up natural areas around parks and spruits.
“These communities are keeping tabs on any upgrades and projects. In some areas, this active citizenry extends to lending a hand to local schools and charities.” partner, says: “Many residents are involved as patrollers, concerned citizens or fund-raisers, with funds being used for additional security measures like the installation of street cameras.
“Residents often undertake clean-ups of heavy vegetation or reeds along the vlei. The Zandvlei Trust is also involved in clearing the waterways of Zandvlei.
“Lakeside residents have arranged regular times to work together clearing vegetation wherever necessary for safety and aesthetic reasons. This increased community involvement has created a strong sense of camaraderie, and provides safer areas for walking and a tidier environment.”
Most Zwaanswyk residents are members of the Zwaanswyk Association of Property Owners, a registered non- profit organisation. In 2015, when fires swept down the mountain and threatened the area, residents set up a WhatsApp group.
Lew Geffen’s Tokai area specialist, Herculene Visser, says the Tokai Neighbourhood Crime Watch has helped to change the suburb.
“Tokai is known for its safety, cleanliness and neatness, with cared- for verges and street cameras funded by residents who also patrol the area on a 24/7 roster. The relatively small, pet-friendly suburb has a strong, close and caring community spirit and people look out for each other.
“This is of crucial importance as potential buyers invariably ask how safe the area is, how well it is cared for, and whether there is a sense of community or is it a case of each resident for himself. There is no doubt a clean, safe neighbourhood is attractive to potential buyers.”
Davis says: “I believe these efforts contribute to a suburb’s market strength and stability, especially in tougher economic times. In Lakeside and Zwaanswyk, the programmes have added enormous value.”
Gerhard van der Linde, managing director for Seeff Pretoria East, agrees. People want to live in areas with good services and facilities, and clean neighbourhoods with good security. In many cases, this means people want to buy in complexes or enclosed areas.
“The desire for secure, well-serviced neighbourhoods has been a top driver of the demand for estate living in the east of Pretoria,” says Van der Linde. “Buyers are prepared to pay a premium for a home in a secure estate.”
The advantages extend beyond security. “These estates also come with added lifestyle benefits such as communal grounds and gardens where you can move around, walking, jogging or cycling, or children can play, all in a secure setting.
“There is also more control of the surroundings with the interior roads and grounds maintained, compared to a neighbourhood that can fall into disrepair.”
Van der Linde says properties in secure estates tend to hold their values and produce better capital growth than many open neighbourhoods.
‘People want