Estate Living Magazine Alfresco Living - Issue 36 December 2018 | страница 26

Garden Route’s
The
undiscovered gem
In 2001, the dramatic coastal scenery of Oubaai inspired Ernie Els to design an 18-hole
signature championship golf course of matching beauty – his first in South Africa.
It also inspired the developers, Kharafi Holdings, to create an Rental property is in even shorter supply, and prices have doubled
extraordinary estate that sits atop a set of jagged Indian Ocean cliffs over the last three years. Tenants are now willing to pay as much as
to the south with the imposing Outeniqua Mountains to the north. R20,000 to R30,000 per month for a rental house in Oubaai, ensuring
The 242-hectare estate borders the valley of the Gwaing River on good returns for property owners. There is a healthy mix of young
one side and is home to the 100-room Oubaai Hotel and Spa, the and old, and more than 80% of the estate is occupied by permanent
Oubaai Lifestyle Centre and the Oubaai Marketplace. residents.
The first transfers took place in 2004. However, Oubaai was not Homes range from a modest three-bedroom house to palatial
immune from the 2008 property downturn, when most building seven-bedroom mansions, either selling or on the market for
activities stagnated and property sales came to a halt. The between R4 million and R25 million. Depending on the size, two- or
homeowners association and the board of trustees revised the three-bedroom Village units may sell for between R2 million and R5
marketing strategy and, by creating value for its members and million. Vacant plots sell for between R800,000 and R5 million.
investors alike, increased plot sales, with a record number of
transactions recorded in the last financial year.
This collection of contemporary coastal-style homes and Village
units offers varied and truly epic views. Large areas of unspoilt natural
The Garden Route is generally a property seller’s market, and habitat are available for exploring and enjoying the free movement
Oubaai is no different. Although residential plots in the estate are of wildlife on the estate. It is not uncommon to see bushbuck or
only 60% developed, there are only 24 stands and 13 Village units springbok wandering outside houses, or the odd caracal hunting
still available to purchase directly from the developer. Homes are in guineafowl.
very short supply, with most owners being reluctant to sell.
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