South Africans paying R28 million for homes in a small village where 60% of the houses stand empty

·7 Aug 2026

South Africans are paying as much as R28 million for homes in the small West Coast village of Yzerfontein. Despite this growing interest, about 60% or 1,407 houses stand empty for most of the year.

The coastal town, known for its 16-Mile Beach and relaxed atmosphere, has seen strong growth in residential property prices over the past five years.

Recent Lightstone data shows that the median selling price in Yzerfontein climbed above R2 million for the first time in 2021 and now exceeds R3 million, which reflects the growing demand for homes in the area.

Despite this, the village remains largely made up of holiday and leisure properties. Samantha Nel, area manager for Pam Golding Properties Western Cape, said only about two out of every five homes are occupied on a permanent basis.

“Of the total 2,345 properties in Yzerfontein, about 40% are permanently occupied, with the balance being leisure properties,” she said.

“Many of these are owned by farmers and city dwellers who occupy them during holiday visits. But Yzerfontein also has a thriving hospitality sector, with properties catering for short-stay rentals.”

Nel added that although many new homes have been built since 2016, the proportion of permanent residents has remained largely unchanged.

Ownership in the town is also spread across local and international buyers. According to Nel, about half of all owners are from the Western Cape, while roughly 30% come from other South African provinces and 20% are international buyers.

She said overseas demand for luxury homes has been increasing, with recent buyers coming from countries including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, Germany and several Scandinavian nations.

The upper end of the market has continued to record significant sales. Two beachfront homes in Dassen Eiland Drive sold for R28 million and R19.5 million over the past year, while another property in Beach Road also achieved R28 million.

“At present, we have several mandates for properties in the R20 million to R40 million price range, a price band where owners usually prefer to see their properties marketed discreetly. This is a growing trend,” said Shelly Keys, another area manager for Pam Golding Properties Western Cape.

What to expect to pay

She noted that Yzerfontein is generally beyond the reach of first-time buyers, with an entry-level 160-square-metre, two-bedroom home costing around R2.5 million.

“Younger buyers in the area are typically remote workers who are also homeschooling their children or who see property here as an investment,” she said.

Vacant land has also become increasingly expensive. According to Keys, plots within residential estates range from around R1 million to R8.5 million.

Beachfront vacant erven outside estates typically sell for between R8 million and R10 million, with some reaching R15 million. Vacant plots offering uninterrupted sea views are generally priced between R6.5 million and R7.5 million.

As sea-view land becomes scarcer, buyers are increasingly purchasing older homes with plans to demolish and rebuild.

“Vacant plots with sea views in estates are becoming increasingly rare, so buyers are starting to purchase old houses in the old part of town with a view to demolishing them and building modern homes,” Keys said.

The village still has capacity for further growth, with around 1,500 additional properties able to be developed within its urban edge.

However, Keys said available stock remains relatively limited because many existing owners are choosing to hold onto their properties. Yzerfontein has also seen gradual improvements in local amenities.

While residents have traditionally relied on nearby towns such as Darling, Malmesbury and Vredenburg for schools, healthcare and larger shopping facilities, a private junior school has recently opened.

A Checkers supermarket is expected to open in 2027. Emergency medical services are provided by Ceal Island Medical Centre and Yzer Med.

Looking ahead, Nel said plans for retirement and lifestyle villages could change the local housing market by encouraging older residents to sell their homes, including seafront properties, to younger and wealthier buyers.

She added that many of these homes are expected to be upgraded by their new owners as the village continues to evolve.