SWEET VALLEY HITS THE SWEET SPOT

The Sweet Valley catchment area remains a sought after area of the Southern Suburbs, partly because families want their children to attend Sweet Valley Primary School, or Bergvliet High School which enjoy excellent reputations. “The immediate catchment area is defined as the area where Sweet Valley Primary School is the nearest state English primary school to the home,” says Noel Smith, Southern Suburbs Sales Consultant at Jawitz Properties.

Areas enjoying such close proximity are Pekalmy in Bergvliet,   also known as Dreyersdal, situated on the Sweet Valley side of Ladies Mile Road; Sweet Valley, Belle Constantia and Firgrove, also known as Constantia Hills; Kreupelbosch; and a small section of upper Meadowridge between Edison Drive and Ladies Mile Road.

“Adding to the strong demand these areas enjoy is the fact that there is a strong Rate payers association here and excellent neighbourhood watch services,” adds Francois Venter, Director of Jawitz Properties.

Freehold properties dominate in Bergvliet, Meadowridge and Diep River where homes are solidly built, have good-sized gardens and are close to other amenities such as shopping centres, coffee shops and restaurants. “The neighbourhood has a sense of family community, and is an ideal place to raise children with plenty of trees and gardens providing safe playgrounds,” says Smith.

There are not many sectional title units in this market, but buyers looking to settle here are more drawn to larger family homes. “As a result, we’ve seen a lot of properties purchased to be renovated.”

The average selling price for properties sold in Meadowridge between January and August of this year has increased by 28% compared to the same period last year. “The average house in Meadowridge now sells for R2.6 million,” adds Smith.

“Property prices in Bergvliet have increased by 8% this year compared to last year, where the average house now sells for R2.5 million.”

Meanwhile, Diep River has seen a rise in property prices of 5% where an average property sells for R1.5 million.

“Buyers looking to get into the area should take every opportunity to visit show houses, and be aware that properties that come on the market are selling fast,” says Venter. “Houses that are correctly priced are selling in less than a month or in some cases as quickly as within five days.”

Venter says buyers should keep in touch with estate agents to be sure they are notified when a property comes on the market. “Sellers are more inclined to choose a buyer who is able to afford to buy their property as soon as possible, so give yourself that edge if you can as the market is full of buyers, however the number of properties for sale is not meeting that demand,” concludes Venter.