The character-filled town of Parys, situated just 120km from Johannesburg and within the Vredefort Dome – declared a World Heritage Site in 2005 – is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after and exclusive areas for property investment, says local agent Henriette van der Kevie.

"During 2005 the average selling price for houses was R272 000, compared with an average price of R414 000 up to May 2006, reflecting an increase of 52 percent for the first five months of this year," she says. Parys is already popular among adventure sports enthusiasts for river rafting, hang gliding and hot air ballooning, as well as a conference and team building venue for corporates.

The price of land has also increased dramatically, from R2 000 per hectare two years ago up to R10 000 a hectare at present. A farm sold in 2005 for R1.3 million is currently on the market for R5.8 million. As development in the Vredefort Dome area is subject to stringent controls in order to conserve the area, land is in high demand, yet few farms are currently on the market. PGP are currently marketing three farms, each of approximately 250 hectares, at R2 million, R2.5 million and R2.6 million respectively.

A 690-hectare farm recently sold in Parys for R6 million - which represents R8695 per hectare, and which is to be used for a rhino breeding programme. This fits in well with the conservation theme of the area, as there is a cheetah breeding programme at Savannah Game Ranch, while a lion breeding programme is also already in place at the farm, Chazen. The rehabilitation of baboons at another farm, Thabela Thabeng, is a well known conservation effort of the member of the Vredefort Dome Bergland Conservancy, while the Griffin Eco Care Centre caters for injured owls, birds of prey and various other wild animals.

Van der Kevie, who represents Pam Golding Properties in the area, says the demand for homes in Parys is mainly from Johannesburg buyers seeking second homes, generally lock up and go townhouses for weekends and holidays and in the price range from R350 00 to R550 000. As a result, various new townhouse developments are currently being built to cater for this rapidly increasing demand.

"Farms and smallholdings with Vaal River frontage are also highly sought after among developers, and in this regard we recently sold a 347 hectare property for development, for R4.2 million. Development properties must have tar road access, electricity, boreholes and river frontage, and be of a minimum size of 20 hectares. We currently still have a selection of attractive development opportunities available within a 20km radius of Parys," she says.

The Parys Golf and Country Club Estate, which comprises 475 freehold stands ranging in size from 620 to 1900sqm and situated either along the river or adjacent to the scenic fairways, is arousing widespread interest among home buyers, adds van der Kevie. "While the bulk of enquiries are from those in Gauteng, we have also had enquiries from other regions in the country such as North Western Province and Witsand in Eastern Cape, and even overseas, with a stand recently sold to a buyer in the Netherlands," she says.

The estate will include an 18 hole golf course, driving range, sports clubhouse with conference and restaurant facilities, boat house and marina, six tennis and three squash courts, swimming pool, hiking and biking trails, as well as a boutique hotel, golf villas and a residential estate, making this a unique and highly appealing lifestyle development. The entire estate will be secured by an electrified perimeter fence, permanent security at both entrances and 24 hour security patrols.

For further information contact Henriette van der Kevie of Pam Golding Properties on 056 817 6250 or email parys@pamgolding.co.za.

Photo: Parys character home R550 000: This charming character home in the quiet suburb of Rooipoort in Parys has three bedrooms and is marketed at R550 000.

For more information contact 056 817 6250 or parys@pamgolding.co.za., or visit www.pamgolding.co.za.

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