Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Kitchen innovations and leisure features are big for buyers
HOME entertainment and leisure features are becoming increasingly popular in South African homes as people spend more time staying in.
More homeowners are having entertainment features installed and converting rooms into communal spaces such as home cinemas and games rooms, says Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty’s Dawn Bloch.
“We are also seeing many new homes, even compact units in complexes, built with pizza ovens, braai rooms and snugs.”
Indoor fireplaces are also a popular feature, says Mark Lewis from Just Property in Constantiaberg. He adds sound systems that allow music to be piped to areas in the home are also attracting buyers.
Kitchen innovations are “big at the moment”. “The home cooking trend as entertainment has blossomed with reality TV cooking shows popularising a cool or designer kitchen.”
Buyers are attracted to homes with communal areas such as estate club houses, pool areas, tennis courts and gyms, as they do not need to maintain them themselves, says David Jacobs, a regional manager for the Rawson Property Group
“For the homeowner, depending on family needs, the focus is now on audio and visual entertainment spaces (cinema rooms), man caves, less garden space and more open-plan space that connects the indoors and the outdoors.”
Outdoor space must have a braai and entertainment area with seating, he says.
Glenn Goldberg, property consultant at Jawitz Properties Atlantic seaboard, says buyers want indoor/outdoor flow to entertainment areas and pools and great views and privacy.
“All upmarket homes have, or are moving towards, the open-plan concept of designer kitchens forming part of the formal reception rooms. Sometimes the kitchen becomes the focal point of such entertainment areas.
“Designs have also moved to the kitchen area flowing directly onto the patio/pool entertainment areas. Media rooms with high-spec electronics are becoming common in many upmarket homes.”
His colleague Sandra Scher says, however, that while there is a trend towards homeowners wanting home theatres and entertainment areas, buyers on the Atlantic seaboard are not requesting or prioritising these as must-haves.
“It is usually something they will install if desired.”
Homes that already offer such features and are well-priced in the current market could sway buyers who are not asking or looking for such features, she says.
Jacobs agrees, saying buyers could be swayed by such features, although which ones depends on their priorities and needs.
“For example, the mother in a home may prioritise space in the kitchen and open-plan living areas so it’s easier to watch over children.
“The male figure may consider his man cave and the entertainment area a winner.”
Although there is a major move towards cocooning, Lewis says extra home entertainment features do not have marked impact on home value.
“Most electronic systems and installations are removed and retained by owners when selling. If not, at best these may add 0.5% to a valuation.”