Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa November 2019 | Page 35

R
esidential estates are bucking the downward trend in
the property market by consistently attracting buyers
and remaining popular with South Africans for having
homes that offer convenience and security. The fact that
many of these residential estates now include a top school
in the bargain, is often the biggest draw card.
There are now close to 7 000 security estates scattered
across South Africa. According to the MD of Westbrook
lifestyle estate in PE, Clifford Oosthuizen, there are four basic
needs homeowners tend to want satisfy when considering
investing in a secure estate. While lifestyle estates are a sound
investment, they are also chosen for safety and security,
keeping costs down and of course endless lifestyle options. But
the newest trend of building schools inside these estates adds
a new benefit to homeowners and investors alike.
High-growth areas, such as Port Elizabeth, offer huge
opportunities to young and established families. Those looking
to invest in PE’s residential estates get incredible value for the
price tag, compared to similar price tags in other cities. The
Amdec Group’s Westbrook development offers a compelling
value proposition and includes a Curro school within its borders.
or Zenith Montessori, with Riverside College providing
independent schooling for children until Grade 12. In
the southern suburbs of Cape Town, Silvertree Estate has
Reddam House Constantia next door, where children walk
to school via a secure gate.
“There is certainly increasing
demand from South African
investors for estates linked to
premium educational facilities,
particularly for families with
children of a school-going age”
A key selling point is that a school attracts investors to the
development and increases the capital appreciation of your In Johannesburg, the vast Steyn City is designed as a city
within a city. Families’ educational needs are met with an early
learning center, preparatory school and college at the private
Steyn City School, all within the estate. Residents can do a school
run, fit in a quick fitness session or jog, all without venturing
beyond the gates. In Midrand, Waterfall Country and Village
Lifestyle Estates offer Reddam House Waterfall. And residents of
Blue Hills Country and Equestrian Estate in Beaulieu in Midrand
send their children to Reddford House Blue Hills.
estate home over the long term. “On a practical level, parents
enjoy the convenience and peace of mind of having a school
inside your secure residential development. It also encourages
an active lifestyle, where children can walk or cycle to school,”
says Clifford Oosthuizen, Managing Director of Westbrook. Families at Lanseria’s Monaghan Farm are investing in a
country setting and farm-style living in a secure eco-estate.
Curro Monaghan within the estate provides private education
for children from Grade R to Grade 7. Similarly, in Pretoria East,
Reddford House is next to The Hills Game Reserve Estate.
South African trendsetters
Internationally, South Africa is out in front in terms of this
trend: buying a home within a secure estate with a quality
education at a private school within easy reach. There is
certainly increasing demand from South African investors for
estates linked to premium educational facilities, particularly for
families with children of a school-going age.
Take Sitari Country Estate near Somerset West, with a Curro
school on the property. It caters to children aged from three
months, offering a complete education to Grade 12. In Cape
Town’s Northern Suburbs, Clara Anna Fontein Lifestyle Estate’s
homes appeal thanks to Reddam House Durbanville offering
private high school within the secure estate.
Burgundy Estate provides access to private education
for its residents. Pre-school children attend Curro Castle
Cornwall Hill College in Irene, Centurion, has a 21-year
history of educating children up to Grade 12. A selling point for
the exclusive estate’s residents is that their children have access
to school without having to leave Cornwall Hill Country Estate.
Securing primary and high school placements at quality
educational institutions can be a time-consuming and stressful
process. That’s why secure lifestyle estates with good-quality
schools, have become so sought after.
A short school run in a secure estate is convenient and saves
parents enormously on commuting time, not to mention the
fatigue and aggravation of sitting in traffic. Buying into a secure
lifestyle estate can be an investment in property as well as your
children’s education and their future.
SOURCE Irvine Partners
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
33