Estate living is the in-thing
Estates tick all the boxes providing security, water, amenities, outdoor activities and energy-efficient homes
A hankering for security, water and energyefficient homes and easy access to amenities and outdoor activities are driving more wealthy South Africans to seek estate-style living.
Sandton-based global market research group New World Wealth this week revealed SA’s top residential estates after visiting a number of high-end sprawling properties, including lifestyle, wildlife, golf and equestrian estates across the country.
Those estates that made the elite list, scored top marks in the ratings criteria, which included security, facilities, activities, views, scenery, wildlife, location, maintenance, design and space.
Communal gardens and parks were assessed by the research team.
Zimbali, Fancourt, Val de Vie, Steyn City, Waterfall Equestrian Estate, Pezula, Atlantic Beach, Arabella, Blair Atholl and Whalerock Ridge made the list.
SA real estate adviser Basil Weinrich, who helped compile the ratings, said residential estate living was on the rise, especially among the more affluent.
“We estimate that more than 40% of South African high-net-worth individuals live or have homes on residential estates.
“The New World Wealth report said although the residential market in SA had come under strain in the past year, houses and also apartments on top-end residential estates have outperformed the general market.
“Most developers are now creating small neighbourhoods within the estates, as opposed to the old model where houses were spaced evenly around the entire property.
“Weinrich cited SA as one of the global pioneers in residential estate living.
“In fact, the only country with more estates than SA is the US . . .”
Pam Golding Property Group CEO Andrew Golding said residential estates were already “very popular” in SA and held an ongoing appeal for homebuyers, especially those seeking “a secure, family-oriented lifestyle”.
“Today, homebuyers are increasingly focused on living in a secure environment while having easy access to amenities and outdoor residential and sporting activities.
“Wellness, fishing, walking and other sporting pursuits are all used to differentiate the product offering from one estate to another,” said Golding.
“The fact that more and more estates are including a wider range of accommodation – sectional title and retirement villages – suggests that demand is across the board, not just from the high-end buyer.”
Golding believes security and a “generally less stressful lifestyle in like-minded communities with leisure activities and facilities” are the main attractions.
“Sustainability is also becoming more of an issue – not only in part because of the rising costs of utilities, but also because of inconsistent service delivery – scarcity of water and electricity blackouts – and also because climate change is making people aware of the need for a water- and energy-efficient home and for self-sufficiency in terms of solar and boreholes/grey water.
“Often these are easier to provide in new developments, and many of the new estates are focusing on that,” said Golding.
Olympic medallist and Val de Vie’s marketing director Ryk Neethling said security was top of the list for residents of the exclusive Western Cape estate.
“For 99% of the people that come security is the number one thing.
“I can still be humble and say that no other estate in the world offers the facilities and amenities that we have here.” — Times Select here,