Many local and international buyers are purchasing properties in South Africa’s towns, with many semigrating from the country’s big cities or simply looking for a high-quality second home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ian Badenhorst, MD for Seeff Country and Karoo, said these towns offer a rural lifestyle but have excellent schools and big-town facilities nearby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prices of goods are also often cheaper in smaller towns, with residents also treated to beautiful scenery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The property prices in these towns have also skyrocketed over the last five to 10 years, according to data from Seeff and Lightstone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, property prices in Franschhoek in the Western Cape have increased 104% over the last ten years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That said, for people moving here, the investment is about more than just bricks and mortar; they are investing in a better quality life,” said Badenhorst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below are the price increases for several popular semigration and second home hotspots: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Franschhoek \u2013 Cape Winelands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Franschhoek is a short drive from Cape Town and is surrounded by picturesque mountains and wineries, such as La Motte, Backsberg, Babylonstoren, Boschendal, and Haute Cabri\u00e8re. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The area is also filled with restaurants, art galleries and beautiful houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those looking to buy will have to pay upwards of R4 million to R8 million, with the top end reaching as high as R100 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nottingham Road \u2013 Natal Midlands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The village is close to the Drakensberg and Midlands Meander and close to Michaelhouse and Hilton College. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With it just 1.5 hours from Durban, many are treating it as a second-home haven. Activities in the areas include golf, cycling, fly-fishing and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties cost between R3 million to R9 million on average and just under R100 million at the top end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n St Francis Bay \u2013 Eastern Cape Coast<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The holiday village is made up of several artificial canals and waterways, with several homes available on the marina that have their own mooring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Buyers should, on average, expect to pay between R3 million to R6 million and about R30 million at the top end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Langebaan \u2013 West Coast<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jaco and Tracey-lee Coetzee from Seeff say this area often sees buyers eyeing up second homes or retiring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The town is only 90 minutes from Cape Town and has several good schools, water sports, a lagoon and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Buyers should expect to pay between R1.7 million and R8 million, with the top end at about R30 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yzerfontein \u2013 West Coast<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The small village has seen little commercialisation, which has created an unspoilt coastal lifestyle. Buyers come from all over, but those in the Cape have a strong preference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Buyers should expect to pay between R2.95 million and R8 million, with the top end at just under R30 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Port Alfred \u2013 Eastern Cape Sunshine Coast<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Situated between Gqeberha and East London, Simon Olivier from Seeff said the area is a great base for digital nomads, retirees and families relocating to the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The area is popular for riverboat cruises, hiking trails, excellent golfing, and medical and shopping amenities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Buyers should expect to, on average, pay between R1.1 million to R6 million, with the top end reaching R15 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hartbeespoort \u2013 Magaliesberg area<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The large selection of estates with luxury homes makes this town popular for second home and semigration buyers, especially those from the Joburg\/Pretoria metros. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Attractions include the Magaliesberg Mountains, dam restaurants, shops and more, and you are quite close to the big cities as well,” Seeff said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Average house prices range from upwards of R2.2 million to R6 million, with the top end reaching R40 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Swellendam – Overberg<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite regularly being used as a stopover on the way to the Garden Route, buyers from Gauteng, KZN and the Cape have flocked to the area, particularly high-earning young families who are looking for the benefits of a small town with excellent schooling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties between R2 million and R3 million are scarce, as vacant land prices have jumped by more than 40% due to scarcity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On average, prices for residential properties range from R2 million to R5 million, while agricultural properties can cost between R10 million and around R40 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Napier \u2013 Overberg<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The village is noted for its low crime, good services, beautiful mountain and rolling farmlands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is close to the Cape Town Airport, Hermanus and Somerset West and has attractions like the De Hoop Nature Reserve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Seeff’s Elaine and Lori Hodgson, buyer enquiries mostly come from those in the North West, Gauteng, Free State, and KZN. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Buyers should expect to pay over R1.6 million and roughly R6 million at the top end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ladismith – Klein Karoo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sonja Claassen, an agent with Seeff, said the town has beautiful architecture and easy access to the Garden Route and Klein Karoo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Claasen said that more semigration buyers are heading here as an alternative to the Garden Route towns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Buyers should expect to only pay upwards of R850,000 and about R3 million for a top-end home. There are also small holdings and farms in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong><\/td> Region<\/strong><\/td> Avg Price<\/strong><\/td> 5-year change<\/strong><\/td> 10-year change <\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Franschhoek<\/td> Cape Winelands<\/td> R5.7m<\/td> 36%<\/td> 104%<\/td><\/tr> Nottingham Road<\/td> KZN Midlands<\/td> R3.6m<\/td> 14%<\/td> 82%<\/td><\/tr> St Francis Bay<\/td> E.Cape Coast<\/td> R2.9m<\/td> 45%<\/td> 81%<\/td><\/tr> Langebaan<\/td> West Coast<\/td> R2.6m<\/td> 37%<\/td> 100%<\/td><\/tr> Yzerfontein<\/td> West Coast<\/td> R2.5m<\/td> 35%<\/td> 109%<\/td><\/tr> Port Alfred<\/td> E.Cape Sunshine Coast<\/td> R2.3m<\/td> 28%<\/td> 53%<\/td><\/tr> Hartbeespoort<\/td> Magalies Region<\/td> R2.1m<\/td> 32%<\/td> 44%<\/td><\/tr> Swellendam<\/td> Overberg<\/td> R2m<\/td> 67%<\/td> 143%<\/td><\/tr> Napier<\/td> Overberg<\/td> R1.6m<\/td> 86%<\/td> 113%<\/td><\/tr> Ladysmith<\/td> Klein Karoo<\/td> R1.6m<\/td> 113%<\/td> 167%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
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