From freestanding homes to duplexes and apartment blocks, Berea offers something for everyone and whether you are a single young professional or a family looking to set down roots, this neighbourhood has plenty to offer in the property stakes.
With its enviable location, with sprawling views of Durban’s city centre and the Indian Ocean down below, this popular suburb features some of the city’s most prized examples of Victorian and Edwardian homes, as well as a whole host of Art Deco gems. What’s more, prospective buyers can also take their pick from various freehold properties, sectional title estates and apartments. Since the area appeals to such a wide target market, this wide range of options is ideal for the market, and it’s interesting to note that the price bracket here also covers a very wide scope – from cheap and cheerful one-bedroom apartments (ideal for students who commute to the city) to stately mansions that are well worth the investment, or has been part of a family’s history for decades. Some of these have even been sold for eight-digit figures!
But in terms of popularity, the most coveted properties are lock-up-and-go apartments, which are especially lucrative for investors who aim to let these. Two- and three-bedroom apartments are also pretty popular.
What’s clear is that Berea’s excellent infrastructure, fantastic location – within easy reach of the CBD, a stone’s throw from excellent schools and the University of KZN – as well as the relative affordability of all homes across the board, ensures that this neighbourhood’s keeps investors interested and is a popular choice with home-buyers from all walks of life.
For example, family homes and townhouses are the name of the game in Musgrave and Morningside, while more modest three-bedroomed houses seem to take centre stage in areas like Umbilo and Carrington Heights.
Furthermore, new residential and commercial developments – especially in Musgrave, Essenwood and Morningside – is part and parcel of Berea’s growth curve and adds some modern architectural elements to the area, balancing the look of the more traditional buildings with a contemporary edge.
