Luxury living … to a tee
Golf estates that allow residents to work in the city and live in the country remain a prime choice for residential buyers, writes Michelle Funke
WHILE golfing is often a strong motivator for those who invest in golf estate homes, these estates are about much more than just golf — especially estates situated near major commercial centres that provide the opportunity to live in a countrylike environment away from the hustle and bustle of big city life, yet within easy reach of major business and commercial centres, top schools and tertiary institutions and medical facilities.
This is according to Seeff Centurion MD, Steve van Wyk, who notes that an estate such as the Blue Valley Golf Estate on the fringes of Centurion offers large expanses of greenery and indigenous gardens, a river and lakes interspersed with walking/jogging and cycling trails, along with a Gary Player golf course with a driving range and pro-shop.
“Residents also enjoy shared facilities such as a clubhouse with a spa, wellness centre and gym- nasium along with tennis and squash courts and a convenience store on the estate,” says agent Tuula Laycock. Additionally, there is a restaurant along with boardroom and conferencing/banqueting facilities for 250 people.
One of the key motivators for purchases within these estates, adds van Wyk, is the top class security and safe lifestyle that residents enjoy. The estates are generally enclosed with electrified perimeter fencing, have controlled access points and guards that patrol the estate 24/7.
Naturally, this lifestyle comes at a premium, but one that buyers are prepared to pay for given the quality real estate and secure lifestyle on offer.
The Blue Valley Golf Estate is conveniently located midway between Johannesburg and Pretoria and offers about 300ha populated with 1,500 freehold plots that range in size from 500m2 to 1,200m2. There are strict building guidelines so buyers are assured of investing in quality real estate that will not only retain its value, but will deliver capital growth as the estate matures.
Plot prices range from R550,000 for a small stand up to R1.35m for a stand against the fairway. House prices vary Price: R3.6m Contact: Seeff Properties Tuula Laycock 082 859 7819 Office: 012 661 0261 depending on the location as well as what is on offer, says Laycock. Buyers can expect to pay upwards of R3.6m for a 410m2 home on an 810m2 plot. A good example would be this double-storey home which offers a Provençal-inspired lifestyle, unusual stone-clad walls, double-vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and stunning views. It has been designed with three bedrooms and a study/ fourth bedroom and luxurious features such as an imported Norwegian fireplace in the lounge, a German kitchen, underfloor heating, chandeliers and feature lighting and an entertainment terrace and swimming pool.
Seeff also has on its books a triple-storey Tuscan-style home with arches, columns and shutters and more than 700m2 in floor space, for R6.5m. Sit-out balconies on all three levels offer great views while the covered outdoor entertainment terrace overlooks the swimming pool and garden. There are two lounges with fireplaces, a cinema room, entertainment room, study, wine cellar and gymnasium. The home has four bedrooms that includes a main suite with a living area, dressing room and luxurious bathroom with double vanity basins and a freestanding oval bath. Additional features include air-conditioning, underfloor heating and a home automation system, including a built-in vacuum facility, along with staff accommodation and garaging.
While few properties have changed hands here since the launch of the estate about 10 years ago, Van Wyk says that complete homes sold by Seeff have shown an average capital value growth of 38.4% in the past five years with the average price now at R4.083m, up from R2.95m in 2007. Statistics sourced from Lightstone show there have been 18 sales within the estate to date this year. The average valuation for property here, according to Lightstone data, is R3,236,739.