Big Bay is a thriving hub for watersports enthusiasts

THE WORLD record for the most kite-surfers on the water at one time was broken recently at Blouberg, with 415 people taking to the water as part of a Virgin Kitesurfing Armada organised event.

This stretch of the western seaboard has near-perfect kitesurfing and wind-surfing conditions for most of summer and many tourists as well as locals flock to the area every weekend, says Nelio Mendes, sales manager for IHPC estate agents.

Many potential buyers of property and tenants for longterm rentals are looking at Big Bay as their first choice because of the lifestyle it offers. Many of the buyers here are young professionals or young couples who have active lifestyles with a need for lockup and go flats.

Lightstone figures indicate that the majority of residents in Big Bay are either in the 36 to 49-year-old category (46 percent being stable owners and 44 percent recent buyers) and mature owners (37 percent stable owners and 32 percent recent buyers).

The suburb demographics place the income group of owners in the high range and the bulk of the activity in the property market is either in secure estates or sectional title schemes.

It’s interesting to see how this area compares price-wise with the Atlantic seaboard, said Mendes, as Big Bay is still one of the suburbs that offers value for money in some of the new units that have come on stream just adjacent to the Eden on the Bay mixed use development.

“Units here can be found priced from R1.3 million for a one-bedroom flat, R2.5m to R3m for two-bedroom flats with sea or mountain views and R4.5m to R5.5m for two or three-bedroom sea- facing flats with unobstructed views.

“For similar units on the Atlantic seaboard, the price tag would be at least R10m for three- bedroom apartments with views,” says Mendes.

“Rentals are fairly reasonably priced at Big Bay, with one-bedroom flats renting out at about R7 500 to R9 000 a month and two-bedroom flats for R13 000 to R16 000 a month.

“Big Bay offers residents beachfront access and many restaurants, shopping convenience and generous off-street parking. In addition, however, this is an area that is fast becoming the place to be when it comes to water sports and contemporary flat living,” says Mendes.

Call Nelio Mendes on 082 868 3539 or e- mail nelio@ihpc.co.za.

GET ACTIVE: Buyers and long term tenants are looking at Big Bay because of the lifestyle.