What options do buyers have when it comes to new developments?

Amid house prices falling, interest rates rising, increased financial pressure on the average SA consumer and lack of electricity supply causing national havoc, developers remain optimistic about the property market as many beautiful developments are currently underway or nearing completion across the country.

Research undertaken by Rainmaker Marketing’s market research department shows a lot of activity in KwaZulu-Natal, in particular, with most development taking place North of Durban, from La Lucia up to the Dolphin Coast, as well as in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

In the Umhlanga region, buyers have a wide selection of properties including The Millennial in the town centre, The Sanctuary private estate, Ridgeside Residence, a luxury Seaview development, Kent La Lucia, in the heart of the La Lucia suburb, and Izinga Eco Estate. Heading up North on M4, the Salta Sibaya lies midway between Umhlanga and Ballito, just above Umdloti. In Ballito and its immediate outskirts, smaller apartment-style developments include Bliss Ballito, Sheffield Hills, Ballito Hills, Ballito Village, and then just outside Ballito, Seaton Estate, a luxury development in the country.

Inland from Durban, heading towards Pietermaritzburg, the Westown in Shongweni is a mixed-use precinct of urban and green space, whose first project, a retail development is set to open in 2025.

In the Western Cape, three exciting new developments include Station House Seapoint, currently 80 percent sold out,  Sitari Estate, a country estate outside Somerset West, and The Huntsman, also just outside Somerset West, as you approach Cape Town.

Gauteng’s developments include HQ Sandton, home to what the marketing material says is South Africa’s largest rooftop garden, Riverfields, a mixed-use development close to OR Tambo International, The Bolton in Rosebank, Waterkloof Park, an apartment development in Waterkloof, Pretoria, BlackBrick Sandton and Bedfordview, Munyaka, Waterfall City offering beach-style living in the heart of Gauteng and The Blyde, Pretoria, which has a similar offering.

What are buyers in the different provinces looking for?

Director of Rainmaker Marketing, Stefan Botha says that buyers across the country are all looking for price point affordability and the best location, one that is in proximity to services like education and healthcare, as well as to their workplaces.

‘However, their needs do differ from region to region. For example, buyers in coastal areas are looking for ocean views, whereas inland buyers are looking for views of natural beauty in the area, such as hills, mountains, and landscapes. In hotter regions, like the Gauteng and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, buyers want properties with aircons, pools, and outdoor living spaces. In the Western Cape, where the climate is generally milder, features like outdoor entertaining areas and gardens are more important,’ he says.

‘All of these factors, location, views, amenities, and facilities, then determine the fees, such as HOA fees, levies, utilities and so on, and then municipal rates and taxes obviously also differ between estates.’

How do developments differ from province to province?

When it comes to what developers are building, the availability of land and type of land is a key factor determining the types of properties being built, Stefan says.

‘Gauteng and the Western Cape have flatter land compared to KwaZulu-Natal, which has more hilly or sloping landscapes. Population density is also a factor with urban areas like Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal tending to have a higher concentration of apartments, as opposed to less populated areas. The rest of the provinces have more suburban/rural characteristics, and therefore focus on single-family homes or larger plots of land.’

What are new developments offering households?

‘Developers remain focused on providing benefits and features that enhance living experiences and lifestyle. Sustainable and eco-friendly features including energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, green building materials, efficient insulation, and water-saving fixtures, are a top priority for many. Smart home technology that allows households to control and manage various aspects of their homes remotely – automated lighting, temperature control, security systems, and energy-efficient appliances are also becoming increasingly available,’ says Stefan.

While safety and security have always been paramount and are key features of living in an estate of development, today developers are able to offer more than they have in the past.

‘These include advanced security systems that include facial recognition, biometrics, gated entrances, surveillance cameras, and 24/7 on-site security personnel,’ he says.

‘Other modern amenities on offer include fitness centres, heated swimming pools, community parks, children’s play areas, sports facilities, and entertainment spaces. Co-working spaces and shared gardens are also becoming popular.’

With a multitude of impressive developments underway or nearing completion across the country, there is a sense of resilience and progress in the industry. With a focus on innovation and meeting evolving demands, the South African property market remains vibrant and promising amidst the prevailing challenges.

Izinga Eco Estate