The recent holiday season from 1 November 2008 to the end of January 2009 has seen good show day attendance in St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape and a total of 30 homes were sold during this period.

And as Pam Golding Properties (PGP) area principal, Richard Arderne, points out, the bulk of these buyers were purchasing for holiday or leisure purposes, thereby bucking the current national trend which has seen a decline in the purchase of holiday homes due to the economic slowdown. He says in addition to the sales concluded during this period, further transactions are currently being negotiated, with additional stock available and introduced to the marketplace by serious sellers.

He says that generally, over the festive season, sellers have achieved reasonable prices and although in most instances the full asking prices were not attained, the difference was mostly approximately 15% or less. Seven of the properties sold were priced over R3m with the balance of the houses fetching between R1m and R3m – and averaging at around R2m.

"Of the 30 sales, just seven of these properties were plots. Three of these plots were on the sought-after canals and were sold at prices ranging between R2,1m and R2,9m.

"In addition to the high appeal for those seeking holiday homes, this area enjoys a steady demand from those 'semigrating' from major cities, especially Gauteng and also the Western Cape. We have a low crime rate and lower population density when compared to the KwaZulu-Natal coast, and arguably better surfing and fishing than Plett and Kenton-on-Sea or Port Alfred. A conveniently situated new shopping centre has added further appeal."

Arderne adds that St Francis Bay enjoyed a good holiday season, with holidaymakers mostly from Gauteng as well as Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. This is despite the fact that it was a somewhat short season – with those from Gauteng also wanting to have vacation time left for an overseas trip some time during the year. "The four week holidays of 20 years ago are a thing of the past – now 10 days to two weeks are the norm," he says.

Image: This double-storey home is marketed at R5,25m.

For more information contact Richard Arderne on 042 294 1188 or send an email.

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