They call it the Gem of the Overberg, and finding beachfront property for sale there is as rare as hen's teeth. Residents of the sleepy seaside village of Arniston are fiercely protective of their secret hideaway, so it's no wonder that the number of homes changing hands has been well under 20 for the past 5 years and more. Obtaining a home on the beachfront Harbour Road is an almost impossible feat, as such houses are typically kept within families for generations. However, Pam Golding Properties is now able to offer one such rare opportunity to buyers, with a price tag of R10.9 million.
Situated at the very edge of the town, with only one neighbour, the house has three bedrooms, making it ideal for either permanent seaside living or for a family holiday home. The potential for holiday rental income is also significant. The neat home has two bathrooms and a large reception room, plus a single garage and an enclosed braai area, providing lovely views as well a shelter from the wind. A wide wraparound stoep on three sides of the home offers panoramic ocean views. The 833sqm plot has direct access onto Roman Beach - Arniston's main swimming beach.
PGP's MD for the Boland and Overberg, Annien Borg, says with its location just over two hours' drive from Cape Town, Arniston is an ideal weekend getaway spot for city-dwellers. She adds that the village is also popular as a holiday retreat for up-country residents, who relish its white sandy beaches and warm, sparkling waters. "Abundant sea-life and birdlife make this an ideal spot for nature-lovers," says Borg, "with whale-watching and spring flowers competing as the main attractions in the spring months. The traditional whitewashed fisherman's cottages at Kassiesbaai have been declared a national heritage site, and are hugely popular as a subject for South African artists and photographers. There is also a wealth of opportunities for lovers of the outdoors, from hiking to sailing, mountain-biking, fishing and swimming, or exploring the huge low-tide cave from which the village draws its alternative traditional name of Waenhuiskrans. Divers can explore the numerous wrecks in the area - including that of the British ship the Arniston, which sank in 1815 in one of this country's most serious disasters ever, with close to 400 lives lost." Borg adds that Arniston is also well placed for day trips to Cape Agulhas, Struisbaai and Bredasdorp, which is just 15 minutes' drive away, and offers sporting facilities including a golf course.
PGP's area manager for Arniston, Le Roux van der Merwe, says there are only some 600 homes in the entire village - and seeing as it is surrounded by nature reserves, there is little potential for further expansion. Indeed, previous attempts at sub-division of existing properties have been regularly refused, and residents fight hard to preserve the unique character of the village. This fact, combined with Arniston's growing popularity as a holiday destination, mean that property values have increased more than 20 percent over the past five years. "Homes in the streets set back from the sea now fetch around R2.5 million to R3.5 million," says Van der Merwe. "On the rare occasion that a vacant plot goes up for sale, it can fetch anything from R1 million for a plot without a view, and upwards of R4 million for a 500sqm plot closer to the sea. But these opportunities are few and far between. It is also extremely rare for beachfront homes to come onto the market - although we have had two come up for sale this year, which is highly unusual. The first was sold by PGP for its full asking price of R7.96 million, and we anticipate that this second home on Harbour Road will also achieve its full asking price. We have a lot of cash buyers - both holiday buyers and investors - clamouring for homes. And of course there is always demand from existing residents who want to acquire second properties for their family members."
No comments:
Post a Comment