The demand for luxury estates, including golf estates, is at the highest level in three years, driven by the desire to enjoy a better lifestyle closer to home, says Gerhard van der Linde, managing director, Seeff Pretoria East.
Golf estates offer a lot more than just security and come with a host of amenities and facilities, he says. Top-class security is the first vital aspect that buyers look for as they want to live and enjoy leisure activities in a secure environment. Luxury homes in estates achieve some of the highest prices in the Pretoria area as well as elsewhere in the country. Estates are also popular for rentals and often achieve higher rates compared to houses outside of estates.
Woodhill Golf Estate in Pretoria East provides the ideal escape and lifestyle for buyers, with access to the Pretoria metro. The Pretoria East area is popular with luxury buyers and home to some of the most sought-after estates.
Van der Linde says golf estates such as Woodhill cater to a broad buyer base, from young professionals to families and older buyers. Property in these golf estates is considered excellent investments and buyers are prepared to pay a bit more for the security and luxury of having all amenities on their doorstep. Once people move in, they often tend to stay. Lightstone, for example, shows that 62% of owners in Woodhill have owned their properties for more than 11 years, reinforcing the excellent investment value, he says.
Deeds office data for Woodhill shows an increase in younger buyers with under 35-year-old buyers representing 19% of recent sales compared to just 1% of current owners in this age group.
LUXURY AND SPACES
This golf estates caters for both sectional titles, priced from around R2m, and freehold homes, priced from around R5m. The houses are generally luxurious and spacious and can range to around R9m for a unique, top-end home overlooking the golf course. Woodhill has an 18-hole Peter Matkovich golf course, recreational facilities such as tennis and squash courts, gardens with walkways, and a play area for children. The clubhouse has venues for private functions and meetings, boardroom facilities, a restaurant and bar. Additionally, the on-site Woodhill College offers schooling from Grade RRR to Grade 12.
