According to the latest Lightstone data, growth in coastal house price inflation has been outperforming non coastal since Q2 2014, with most recent data (January to October 2020) showing coastal house price inflation averaged 3.15% compared to 2.59% for non coastal. This sees homebuyers – including those from Gauteng – heading further up KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast, particularly with new schools and commercial developments in the pipeline for these areas. This is according to Farrah Williamson, Pam Golding Properties area principal for the region stretching from Blue Flag Westbrook Beach to Zimbali and Ballito and right through to Zinkwazi.
“Accessed via the N2 freeway, the market along this North Coast region remains buoyant and flourishing with a broad variety of appealing residential property opportunities, including numerous burgeoning estate developments,” she says. “As a primary residential destination, coastal hamlets such as Shaka’s Rock, Salt Rock, Sheffield, Tinley Manor, Blythedale, Prince’s Grant and Zinkwazi are no longer perceived as being ‘too far up the coast’, particularly since the rapid uptake of the work from home trend.”
According to Pam Golding Properties Zimbali area specialists Sascha Bausch and Marcelle Conradie, Zimbali is often the estate of choice for buyers looking to settle on the Dolphin Coast. They say the age profile of new buyers here constantly changes with 2019 seeing a significant trend of 62% of buyers being under the age of 49 years and increasing to 77% in 2020. Zimbali offers world class facilities including aquatic, tennis, squash and indoor fitness and sport infrastructure with major refurbishments and extensions already done and on the cards.
“In the Ballito market alone, there is huge growth and several new residential developments on offer along the coast in Sheffield, such as Seaton, Zululami and Elaleni, all top-quality estates with great value for money pricing,” says Williamson. “The attraction here is investment opportunities, private beach access, security, and an appealing, more carefree lifestyle.” Zululami comprises a mix of sectional title two- and three bedroom apartments priced from R2,35m and freehold stands from R1,44m, with freehold homes selling from R5,56m.
Williamson says the types of buyers in estates varies – Zimbali still draws predominantly Johannesburg-based buyers while purchasers in Simbithi and Brettenwood are mainly from KZN and surrounds, or those from within the estate downsizing or previously renting. Buyers in Lazuli, an off-plan development in Port Zimbali which includes retirement homes, are mainly from KZN and surrounds. “Overall, most of our estate sales are for permanent living, with the balance for investment or leisure use – especially those on the beachfront or one road across from the beach,” she says.
The facilities available in estates are of great importance and includes a swimming pool, gym, trails, clubhouses and community centres. “For example, on the Sheffield coastline Zululami offers direct beach access, a wetland clubhouse, forest pavilion, fitness park, amphitheatre, children’s park, eco-designed swimming pool, and nature trails, while Seaton also has direct beach access, as well as equestrian facilities, Seaton Manor clubhouse, running and cycling trails, and access to a private school,” says Williamson.
