Once simply a small holiday hamlet, Mossel Bay on the Western Cape Garden Route is now a thriving primary residential destination peppered with a range of highly sought-after residential estates comprising mainly permanent homes.
Stephen Murray, Pam Golding Properties area principal, says that affordable coastal living with easy access to George Airport - about half an hour’s drive away, as well as access to all amenities and a variety of tourist attractions are key drivers fuelling the attraction for semigrants from other regions and home buyers from nearby towns alike.
Says Murray: “With an estimated population of approximately 100 000, Mossel Bay retains its small-town appeal with a friendly community, temperate climate and tranquil, outlying location which is still in close proximity to all the amenities of city living, including a hospital and other medical facilities. While the bulk of our home buyers are in the 50 plus age group, plus those from 35 years of age, there has over the past year to date been an influx of younger buyers, many of whom are likely to be first-time home purchasers.
“Mossel Bay has always had excellent private medical facilities and a day hospital was recently launched, which attracts specialists to the town. The Curro private school has grown in numbers while other school sites are planned and over the past five years existing shopping centres have been upgraded. Positively, many of the old buildings in the town are undergoing interior renovation while retaining their historical character and charm.
“Post the hard lockdown we experienced high activity due to a strong pent-up demand, however, we are still experiencing sustained demand including an influx of home buyers from Gauteng and the far Western Cape. Currently, we are seeing people buying property for primary residence at a later date, which caters for leisure use in the interim. The residential property market caters for all sectors of the market, with sectional title units within the popular spots of the Point and Diaz Beach proving popular over the past five years due to the location close to the water’s edge. These units range in price from approximately R1.8 million to R3 million.”
Murray says from a residential property perspective, frontline waterfront homes, such as those in Roger Street and Bruns Road which is located on the cliff overlooking the harbour northwards over the ocean, homes fetch around R10 million, while cliffside living at Pinnacle Point Estate sees newly completed, modern and contemporary mansions selling for in excess of R20 million.
As a result of the increasing demand for homes and highly desirable lifestyle, a proliferation of residential estates has sprung up over the years, with lifestyle offerings ranging from hiking, biking and running trails to golf and hotel-type facilities such as a spa, restaurant and the like, coupled with off-the-grid or a host of ‘green’ features. Says Murray: “All our local coastal estates are protective of the biodiversity of the fauna and flora and vacant land in general on these estates is a sought-after commodity as there are limited options available. Vacant erven range in size from 500 to 2000 sqm, averaging at around 700 sqm and selling from approximately R500 000 upwards.
“Generally speaking, the demand for homes in estates means that they command a premium price, with the services, security and other advantages of estate living further underpinning property values. In this regard, we find that the perceived need for security is the main driver of this demand, thereby boosting buying activity in secure, lifestyle estates.
“These include the impressive Gondwana Game Reserve, set in an 11 000ha private Big Five game reserve with spectacular views of the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains. Here you can own a safari home in one of the lowest density developments in the country with 5-Star amenities, where vacant land sells from R1 million and built homes from R4.5 million.”
Recent notable sales by Pam Golding Properties in estates include homes sold for R5.95 million in Gondwana; R8 million and R9.2 million in Pinnacle Point; and over the past 12-month period 24 sales transactions in the sought after 438ha Springerbaai Eco-estate, where residences are off the grid. In this estate, vacant land sells from R500 000 and homes from R3.75 million. Four scenic boardwalks provide access to a pristine sandy beach, making Springerbaai Eco-Estate an idyllic destination for those who appreciate nature, peace and tranquillity.
Set on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, an exceptional golf course and residences, the award-winning Pinnacle Point Estate sees vacant erven available for purchase from R500 000, two-bedroom sectional title apartments from R1.6 million, golf lodges from R1.8 million, fynbos homes from R3 million and larger estate homes from R6.9 million. Pinnacle Point offers secluded beaches along 4km of coastline, prolific indigenous wildlife in a private reserve, birdlife and a wide variety of fynbos.
Located on the boundaries of the Mossel Bay Golf Course, Mossel Bay Golf Estate is described as a hidden jewel with a range of residential properties from vacant plots priced from R1 million to homes selling from R3.35 million. In the low-density eco-estate, Village on Sea, situated within 85ha of pristine fynbos and part of the greater St Blaize Conservancy which spans from The Point to Dana Bay, vacant erven are priced from R820 000 and homes from R3.75 million. With wide open spaces serving as a national habitat for a large variety of wildlife, the estate is in close proximity to all amenities, including the only hospital with a cardiac unit in the Southern Cape, two major shopping malls and the beaches of Mossel Bay.
In Breaker Point in Dana Bay, with spectacular views across the ocean and set among pristine fynbos, but with Mossel Bay airport only 30 minutes away, vacant land in this secure and private low-density development is selling from R700 000.
Adds Murray: “Taking into account the past year and the economic impact on local business owners and residents, the housing market has proven resilient and exceeded our expectations. Looking ahead we are optimistic that Mossel Bay’s residential property market will continue to grow.”
