Retire or retreat in Mossel Bay

Whether you are looking for a residential, retirement or holiday home, now is a good time to buy in the Mossel Bay and surrounds.

This two bedroom apartment in Diaz, Mossel Bay, is located close to the beach. It is selling for R880 000 - click here to view.

This is according to Kaaiman Schutte, Seeff’s licensee for the area (from Gouritz, Vleesbaai, Dana Bay and Mossel Bay to Groot Brak), who says while buyer interest over the last few months is up by about 15 percent compared to last year, and holiday home and investor buyers are back, there are still many good investment opportunities in this sought-after coastal resort-town.

Bustling, yet still laid-back in terms of the lifestyle, Mossel Bay is a real gem for holidaymakers and property investment buyers alike. It is located on the sought-after Garden Route coastal strip about mid-way to Port Elizabeth, just under five hours’ drive from Cape Town. It is also close to towns such as Swellendam, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. Aside from buyers from within the Cape Province, the town holds great appeal for buyers from other inland provinces, especially the Free State, Gauteng and the northern regions.

Schutte says with the Outeniqua Mountains as a backdrop, Mossel Bay sits on the slopes of Cape St Blaize, overlooking an expansive bay and busy harbour. The Cape St Blaize Lighthouse dates to around 1864 and is a defining feature and popular setting for photographers. The town boasts a rich history with many historical buildings. It is in this area that the first Europeans docked when Bartolomeu Diaz landed in 1588 and it is also home to the oldest Post Office that dates to 1500, today still an operational national monument.

This three bedroom house in Mossel Bay offers a fireplace and balcony with built-in braai. It is on the market for R2.95 million - click here to view.

The town is renowned for having the mildest all-year climate in the world, second only to Hawaii according to the Guinness Book of Records, something that makes it an ideal year-round retreat, he says. Add to this long stretches of Blue Flag, swim-safe beaches, warm waters of the Indian Ocean, championship golf courses and just about every outdoor and water sport adventure possible.

Famous for its mussels and oysters, Mossel Bay also ranks alongside Jeffreys Bay and Port Elizabeth as a top surfing destination. The beachfront strip caters for family visitors with daily activities, a heated swimming pool, the Diaz Water World, causal and fine dining restaurants and a cocktail bar.

Schutte says it is especially family friendly and draws scores of family visitors each year, many of whom have taken the opportunity to invest in an apartment or holiday house in the area. The infrastructure as well as local government service delivery is top class. From excellent schools and medical care to sports facilities and shopping malls, the town is a fully integrated destination that caters for buyers across the board.

In terms of prices, the value on offer is still exceptional for a prime seaside location on the Garden Route. Lock-up and go apartments and townhouses, priced upwards of R600 000 to R1 million and homes around the R1.6 million mark remain most popular, but there is also a growing demand for luxury homes above R2.5 million, he says.

This four bedroom house in Dana Bay, Mossel Bay, has underfloor heating in two of the bathrooms, a gym room, built-in bar and fireplace. It is on the market for R4.7 million - click here to view.

Sellers are now quite willing to negotiate and buyers have an ideal time to invest now and gain an asset at exceptional value that is sure to accumulate value significantly over the coming years.

For beachside apartments, Diaz Beach remains a popular choice with prices still as low as R500 000 or De Bakke where R1.1 million will buy you a modern two bedroom apartment with plenty of glass windows and stunning views out to sea. The finishes are excellent and both bedrooms are en suite. Apartments in particular offer good investment potential as there is always demand for these from recreational buyers, says Schutte.

If you are looking for a luxury home, head to Island View, located high up opposite the Langeberg Mall about mid-way to Hartenbos. In this area you can buy a spacious (260 square metre) modern Tuscan-styled villa with top class finishes, four bedrooms, a braai room, sea views and loads of potential for about R1.9 million. The beaches are a short distance away and the area is surrounded by fynbos covered hills with the Outeniqua Mountains visible in the distance.

He says other sought-after areas include the ever-popular Hartenbos where there is a wealth of good buys on offer. Dana Bay, a coastal village just outside the town that lies within a conservation area with roaming guinea fowl and small buck, still offers sea-view stands for upwards of R300 000 and quaint holiday homes for around R1 million.

Other gems in the area are the villages of Little Brak and Great Brak; the former situated on the Little Brak River mouth and the latter on the Great Brak River mouth as well as Reebok and Tergniet. In these areas, you can find excellent buys for under R1.5 million although stock is limited, says Schutte.