Home buyer ‘ semigration ’ to ‘ Zoom towns ’ still a growing trend into 2021
It is clear that Covid-19 and lockdown since mid 2020 has created a big property buying shift that has gained significant momentum in the residential property market . The trend of property buyers moving out of big cities to another location locally within SA ( referred to as semigration ) into so-called smaller ‘ Zoom towns ’ ( small towns growing quickly due to rise of remote work ), is still prominent going into 2021 . This trend is not only a South African trend , but rather a worldwide trend .
Buyers that need to work remotely have two essential requirements when seeking a smaller town location : firstly , access to a reliable internet connection and secondly , access to amenities and facilities . There are some smaller towns who have unreliable electricity and water supplies . Without the former and basic amenities such as electricity will not attract serious buyers looking to semigrate .
Gerhard Kotze , managing director of RealNet says there are many factors to consider before making the leap from city to country living starting with the real costs of relocating . The key motivation for changes in property buying trends is people looking for more affordable , better value properties , better lifestyle , larger living spaces , access to natural beaches , mountains , rivers , sport , outdoor and leisure pursuits , and lastly an important requirement for dedicated home office space to work remotely . Some of the areas in SA that are currently benefitting from the semigration trend are :
Eastern Cape According to Justin Kreusch of Pam Golding Properties ( PGP ) in Gqeberha , residential properties with home offices are attracting multiple offers from buyers wanting to relocate to the countryside . He claims this was not a trend twelve months ago . The arrival of new developments such as Crossways Farm Village , a self-
2 APRIL 2021 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine