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Cape Town - Cape Town claims to obtain the highest property prices in the country, while a semi-gration trend seems to be going on to luxury properties along the coastal areas to the north of Durban.
Cape Town is home to nine of the ten richest suburbs in South Africa, according to Samuel Seeff, chair of the Seeff Property Group. Top end luxury properties and locations - especially along Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard can now range from R185m to R300m.
As for Durban, large numbers of upcountry buyers are heading predominantly to the North Coast region, according to Neil de Beer, Pam Golding Properties' area manager for Ballito.
Two years ago developments in uMhlanga went for about R20 000/m², but now some of of these developments are selling for as much as R60 000/m², while a luxurious, furnished home in a contemporary design and with fairway frontage in Zimbali recently fetched R17m.
READ: 9/10 richest SA suburbs now in Cape Town
That begs the question: What does Gauteng have to offer in the luxury market?
For one, there is a grand homestead for sale on the Mooikloof Equestrian Estate for R26m in Pretoria East. It is not only the most expensive neighbourhood in Pretoria, but ranks as the top equestrian estate in the country, according to Seeff Property Group.
The palatial 2 291m² home has a double-volume entrance hall and a sweeping staircase. The home has lovely views of the surroundings.
The homestead has generous room sizes. There are seven bedrooms, several living rooms, a glass-enclosed, climate controlled wine cellar, fully fitted bar, private home cinema theatre, a games room and a fitted study.
There is a chef’s kitchen with a separate scullery and walk-in freezer rooms.
Seeff describes the main bedroom suite as "enormous with a living area, dressing room and huge bathroom with a free-standing bath in the centre". The suite opens to a private patio.
Additional features of the property include a huge gymnasium and sauna, tennis and squash courts, an extra length lap pool that leads from an enormous entertainment patio with pizza ovens, an outside boma, staff accommodation for three people, multi-car garaging and top class security.
The value on offer in Mooikloof makes it one of the most desired locations for super luxury buyers, according to Rosa Willers and Dominique Lochoff, Seeff’s agents for the estate, which boasts an average selling price of around R5.6m.
The estate includes 548 properties, each with 1 hectare of land, fully serviced with municipal water, electricity and refuse. Security is described as top class. There are two gates, both with 24/7 manned security, strict access control and the estate is patrolled.
Fabulous lifestyle
According to Seeff, residents are able to enjoy a fabulous lifestyle in a secure environment. Properties are generous in size and residents can move around freely within the estate, including enjoying equestrian pursuits.
Properties can have their own private stabling facilities, but there is also an equestrian centre that houses central stables along with numerous arenas and a 20km bridle trail.
Additional facilities include a multi-denominational chapel, tennis courts, bowling greens and a spacious recreational area located at the dam. The natural surroundings mean that along with free roaming small buck, there is also plenty of birdlife.
READ: High Cape prices encouraging semigration to KZN?
The estate offers access to top class schools and amenities in the area.
Privacy, security and exclusivity are the hallmarks of what is on offer and why upper income buyers choose the estate. The agents say it appeals to a broad range of buyers, predominantly upper income families in the 35-plus age group. It is also very popular for business executives and diplomatic or embassy delegates.
The estate is also popular for rentals and attract excellent rates of R40 000 to R65 000 per month.
