'Karoo rush' a boom for market

[caption id="attachment_34391" align="alignright" width="405"] WHAT A VIEW: A view of the Orange River will cost you a cool R1.1-million for a home in Oviston, close to Colesberg[/caption]

KAROO property sales are booming at pre-recession levels.

Pam Golding Properties manager for the Karoo Wayne Rubidge said interest in Karoo property is rapidly reaching the levels experienced during the last property boom up to 2008 and 2009.

"There are many reasons why interest in Karoo property is currently so high and is being spurred on – with the four main drivers being: value for money; the quality country lifestyle on offer; escaping urban pressures and the need to get away; and the safety and security of Karoo living," Rubidge said.

He said coupled with the generally improved market sentiment, there were a variety of other reasons that were stimulating interest in the Karoo. "For example, where else can you acquire a historical home that meets these criteria above and more – all for R250000? The Karoo region is vast, comprising about 30% of the surface area of South Africa and home to more than 50 towns and farming districts. This bouquet of destinations offers buyers an unbeatable range of investment choices. Each town is located in a unique setting with a myriad of property choices all offering the four key points of interest," Rubidge said.

He said the common thread in all of the Karoo towns were that they all offered the classic Karoo style vernacular architecture which includes wooden floors and ceilings, most often Oregon pine or yellowwood, the famous Karoo stoep or veranda and spacious rooms with high ceilings well adapted to the Karoo climate.

He said many of the smaller classic Karoo towns were receiving a facelift as a result of the investment by owners into their unique properties. Towns like Richmond, Phillipstown, Steynsburg, Aberdeen, Bethulie and others offer exceptional value. A three-bedroom home can be purchased for as little as R300000.

"Some towns such as Lady Grey, Rhodes, Nieu-Bethesda and Loxton are in essence beautiful country villages where country living is taken to a new level. Here property prices tend to be slightly higher than the classic Karoo towns due to the small size of these villages, with limited availability of property and sustained demand.

"The slightly larger towns are also showing signs of a mini property boom. Towns such as Middelburg, Somerset East, Beaufort West and Carnarvon, which all have schools and a wider range of services, are attracting different buyers due to the extra amenities and services on offer."

Rubidge said Karoo towns like Prince Albert and Graaff-Reinet are examples of what a country town can achieve and many of the smaller more out-of-the-way towns are starting to mimic the success stories of these towns. A case in point is Richmond, which is the official "booktown" of Africa with more than 50 000 books on offer. Carnarvon is at the epicentre of an international astronomy project which began with Meerkat and eventually saw the multibillion-rand SKA project come to fruition. Each town is drawing on its unique potential and is showing signs of sustainable country living, with more and more visitors travelling to the Karoo to participate in the more than 100 events and festivals taking place on an annual basis.

He advises prospective property buyers in the Karoo to look to acquire now while there is still a large selection offering great value. Interest in Karoo property covers most price ranges and categories from affordable, unbeatably priced vacant stands starting at R15000 and historic Karoo houses starting at R200000 to luxury Karoo homes and includes farms of all categories and price ranges.

"When looking to buy a property in the Karoo – whether you are a first-time home owner looking at entry-level properties, a property investor considering commercial opportunities, a property restorer wanting to buy and restore a historical Karoo home, or you are looking for a lifestyle change – the following aspects can be taken into consideration. Almost anywhere in the Karoo you can be within three hours' drive of a city or a big urban centre so choose the town that is in close proximity if you plan on using the property as a holiday or weekend home," Rubidge said. - Weekend Post Reporter

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