Saturday Star

TURN GAZE NORTHWARD

If a large stand and a home with Oregon pine floors, pressed steel ceilings and leaded windows are what you want in your dream property situated close to good schools and trendy everything, this is the suburb where you should be shopping

- By John Makoni

IF YOU are in the market for a home with character that may have been built in the early part of the last century, and is situated in a well-establishe­d and sought-after suburb, turn your gaze on Parktown North as you are likely to find your dream residence here.

You will, of course, have the choice to renovate your new home as many residents in this leafy Joburg suburb have done just that, says Jonathan Davies, Tyson Property Gauteng regional director.

“Many homes in Parktown North date back to the early part of the 20th century. The characteri­stic Oregon pine floors, pressed steel ceilings and leaded windows are some of the unique features that endear people to the area,” says Davies, who adds that many of the homes have been contempori­sed to suit a modern lifestyle.

He says the average Parktown North home features modernised interiors with open-plan kitchens, multiple en-suite bedrooms and superb entertainm­ent spaces.

“The typical home comprises three to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms and will cover approximat­ely 250m² to 400m² under roof.”

Although the average plot size is about 1 200m² to 1 300m², many are sub-divisions of larger stands.

Davies says there are many pan-handle properties as a result – properties sought-after for security and serenity.

“The characterf­ul homes, treelined streets, great restaurant­s and superb public spaces offer a unique lifestyle and a sense of community that is unparallel­ed in our city,” says Davies.

He says Parktown North is most suited to families, and mentions captains of industry, an array of profession­als and artists among the residents.

Parktown North is centrally situated close to schools as well as the Sandton, Rosebank and Joburg CBDS, a convenienc­e which drives demand for homes in this suburb and results in some good asset growth over time, he says.

Davies and his director colleague, Brad Neillie, who is based at the Tyson Properties Parktown North office, have wit

The typical Parktown North home comprises three to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms and will cover approximat­ely 250m² to 400m² under roof

JONATHAN DAVIES REGIONAL DIRECTOR TYSON PROPERTY GAUTENG

nessed a remarkable resilience in Parktown North as homes there continue to defy the softer sales environmen­t.

They put the current average sale period in Parktown North at four to six months, with the original asking price and final selling price differenti­al at as much as 20% – a fact they cite as indicative of more challengin­g trading conditions and the softer sales environmen­t.

“The sales statistics for the past 12 months from Lightstone reveal 44 sales in the suburb, totalling R188millio­n,” says Davies.

Neillie reports that, as of last week, about 80 or 90 homes were listed on the market in Parktown North. He believes this is good for the choice available to the buyer.

Over the past 12 months, the average price of a home in the area has been around R4.2m, down from a R4.65m high in 2016.

Davies recommends Parkwood, Parkview and Greenside East for potential buyers who do not find what they are looking for in Parktown North.

He says homes to the north of

7th Avenue have historical­ly traded at higher-than-average prices while homes to the south of 7th Avenue are zoned for Parkview schools and are popular with families with young children.

I own and manage a block of flats on 3rd Avenue but I live in Roodepoort now after living in Parktown North. It is becoming a very trendy and fashionabl­e suburb and homes here are sought after. It is one of Joburg’s older suburbs so you find older properties on larger stands. Parktown North is centrally located close to Joburg and Sandton, while the nightlife in Rosebank is also relatively near.

GILLIAN DAWSON, WHO CO-ORDINATES THE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE PARKTOWN NORTH COMMUNITY FORUM

 ?? PICTURE: KAREN SANDISON/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY(ANA) ?? Many Parktown North homes have retained their beautiful old exteriors while the interiors have been renovated to suit modern lifestyles.
PICTURE: KAREN SANDISON/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY(ANA) Many Parktown North homes have retained their beautiful old exteriors while the interiors have been renovated to suit modern lifestyles.
 ?? PICTURE: KAREN SANDISON/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY(ANA) ?? Restaurant­s in the area draw visitors from all over Joburg.
PICTURE: KAREN SANDISON/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY(ANA) Restaurant­s in the area draw visitors from all over Joburg.
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 ?? PICTURE: KAREN SANDISON/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY(ANA) ?? Parktown North was establishe­d early in the 20th century. The homes and stands here are larger than in many other suburbs in Joburg.
PICTURE: KAREN SANDISON/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY(ANA) Parktown North was establishe­d early in the 20th century. The homes and stands here are larger than in many other suburbs in Joburg.
 ?? PICTURE: KAREN SANDISON/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA) ?? Residents have a wide choice of coffee shops, restaurant­s and shopping facilities in the area.
PICTURE: KAREN SANDISON/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA) Residents have a wide choice of coffee shops, restaurant­s and shopping facilities in the area.
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