Lifestyle property in Elgin Grabouw Valley

Few areas so close to the Cape metro can offer the affordability that the Elgin Grabouw Valley does.

This home offers four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two braai areas, a garden, swimming pool, granny flat and a garage. It is on the market for R2.5 million – click here to view.

This is according to Seeff agent, Morney Hull, who says the valley is located about 45 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, just outside Somerset West as you climb Sir Lowry’s Pass and make your way through the Hottentots Holland Mountains to the Overberg.

Essentially, the gateway to the Overberg, the valley has some of the most beautiful scenery, with stretches of fynbos and pine forests, orchards and vineyards wedged between the Groenland and Kogelberg Mountains, he says.

There is also plenty of water in the area with the Palmiet River flowing through the valley. The Steenbras Dam, Cape Town’s main water source is also located in the valley.

While the valley is still somewhat of an undiscovered gem for visitors and property buyers, this is changing, says Hull. Tourism to the area is growing and it now has some of the best mountain biking trails in the country.

This house has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a reception room, an open plan kitchen with breakfast area, a lounge, dining room and a garage. It is priced at R1.63 million – click here to view.

Another attraction is the Elgin Grabouw Country Club that overlooks the Eikenhof dam and surrounding mountains, a gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

Rooted firmly in agriculture, he says the valley is famed for its fruit farms and the home of the world famous Appletiser brand.

Like most of the Cape, its Mediterranean climate makes it ideal for viticulture, and the valley has a growing reputation for wine and olive production.

It also has its own wine route, the Elgin Valley Wine Route, with well-known brands such as Paul Cluver Wines, along with a number of open-air festivals, events and markets aimed at attracting visitors, says Hull.

The area still offers houses priced from as low as R500 000 to R700 000, and family homes ranging upwards of R1.2 million to R3 million for a spacious house on a large 4 000sqm stand, he says.

It is also an ideal area for buyers looking for a lifestyle or hobby farm, with prices starting from around the R2.2 million mark ranging to around R10 million, depending on the location and size of the property and the infrastructure on offer.

Commercial farms are another option in the area. Prices range upwards of about R20 million to R40 million and sometimes more, although these seldom come onto the market.