Invest in a real estate franchise on the Garden Route

A golden opportunity awaits real estate franchisees ready to reap the benefits of areas in which median property prices are growing from strength to strength. Jawitz Properties has franchise opportunities in the well-loved Garden Route towns including George, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. Our national brand is backed by 55 years of industry knowledge and expertise. We believe that your success as a franchisee is and always will be our success. By joining us, you gain access to our industry practices which have stood the test of time and have been the cornerstone of our achievements across South Africa.

We connected with Jeanne van Jaarsveldt, Franchise Manager, as well as the principals from our Wilderness and Mossel Bay offices, to unpack this Garden Route opportunity further.

The advantages of the Garden Route for a real estate franchisee

In the past year, our Wilderness office has observed significant movement within the Garden Route real estate market. Madelyn Kohler, principal of our award-winning Wilderness office, notes that the semigration pattern continues to bring buyers from other provinces to the Garden Route, drawn by its appealing lifestyle, low crime rates, and the well-run municipality of George. This trend underscores the area's appeal as a desirable place to live and invest in property.

Kohler further highlights that her office saw a 190% increase in sale turnover over the past financial year, demonstrating that the Garden Route is ripe for business opportunities in the real estate market.

The Garden Route is and always will be one of South Africa's most sought-after regions to live, play and work. "The region has expanded tremendously over the past decade, with multiple award-winning luxury estates and internationally acclaimed golf courses adding even more potential to the area," shares van Jaarsveldt. "The Garden Route has seen stable, consistent growth despite economic challenges experienced at times in South Africa."

Lightstone data backs up van Jaarsveldt's statements about the ongoing growth in the area. For example, the median prices of sectional titles and freehold properties in George climbed steadily between 2021 and 2023. Similarly, the values of freeholds in Plettenberg Bay have been growing exponentially since 2019. The median freehold property price in Plett in 2020 was R1 660 000 and in 2024 the median property price is sitting at R4 200 000. This paints a picture of the solid growth experienced in many parts of the Garden Route.

More stats about Garden Route real estate

The insights available on some of the popular areas of the Garden Route, including George, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna Central, paint a clear portrait of opportunity.

George's market stock is almost entirely freehold properties, with freeholds and freeholds within estates making up approximately 94% of properties on the market. The area is popular with buyers aged between 36 and 64, with 70% of recent buyers being classified as "middle-aged" or "mature".

In Plettenberg Bay, you'll find a vast array of freehold properties, which make up almost 70% of available market stock. Almost 20% of available properties are either freeholds or sectional titles within the confines of estates, and the remaining percentage is the array of sectional titles on offer in this picturesque town. More than half of Plettenberg Bay's homeowners have owned their homes for at least 11 years, which paints a picture of stability and a great investment locale.

Knysna Central is showcasing steady popularity with mature buyers and pensioners, with 73% of stable owners falling into these categories and 47% of recent buyers. The area is also growing in popularity with young adults, with this category accounting for only 6% of stable owners, but 23% of recent buyers. Knysna Central is sought after among buyers looking for sectional title units, with simplexes and duplexes (some within the confines of estates) accounting for about 54% of available market stock.

Why join Jawitz as a franchisee?

Our values are the foundation of our long-term strategy, offering confidence in our brand's future and success. These values attract like-minded individuals who share a common goal.

Willie Nel, the business owner of our newest franchise office in Mossel Bay, shares his perspective on why joining the right national brand can significantly benefit your business.

"Jawitz Properties provided all the necessary knowledge and training at every stage of my business growth," shares Nel. "The agency benefits from a strong and comprehensive marketing strategy and encourages franchise owners to adopt a dynamic business etiquette."

Nel concludes, "Being part of this established, reputable, and credible brand significantly contributed to the successful launch of my office. The impact of their marketing support was evident, as within three weeks of our launch, my Mossel Bay office listed 71 residential properties valued at R200 million."

To find out more about how you can connect people to homes on the Garden Route and launch a lucrative real estate business, get in touch with Jawitz Properties today.