Swellendam drawing overseas buyers and entrepreneurs

The scenic town of Swellendam, situated at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains halfway between Cape Town and George on the Garden Route, is being rediscovered by several different categories of property buyers, and as a result, house prices are on the rise.

This house offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms, farm-style kitchen, open-plan living and dining area, garden and double garage. It is on the market for R1.18 million – click here to view.

This is according to Le Roux van der Merwe, Pam Golding Properties area manager, who says Swellendam has much to offer, and notably has been recognised for its well-run municipality earlier this year (February 2016), receiving a Certificate of Excellence from the Auditor General as well as a Gold Certificate of Excellence from the Western Cape government.

Van der Merwe says the cherry on top is that the town has also being declared the best municipality in South Africa by Good Governance Africa. Swellendam is the third oldest magisterial district in SA.

A new benchmark was set, in terms of highest prices sold, with the sale of an exclusive four bedroom, three bathroom double storey home with double volume entrance hall for a record price of R3.6 million.

This newly-built, lavish home has ultra-spacious interleading reception rooms, a chef’s kitchen with state-of-the-art finishes including granite tops, oak bar counter, built-in bar fridge, central gas fireplace, breakfast bar, three Bosch ovens, a dining room with built-in server, scullery or laundry, pantry and wooden floors.

This Cape Dutch home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, flowing living spaces, undercover patio, built-in braai and double garage. It is selling for R2.05 million – click here to view.

Set on a stand of 828sqm, the home has stack doors leading onto a covered patio and rim flow pool with spectacular mountain views and a separate spacious area suitable for a guest flatlet.

This sale surpassed the previous highest price of R3.2 million. This was firstly via a transaction concluded in 2015 for a luxurious three bedroom, two bathroom family home in an elevated, private position, with sweeping views of the Langeberg Mountains. All the property’s bedrooms led onto a covered patio, and it also offered a jacuzzi and double garage.

An upmarket four bedroom, four bathroom home in a private setting overlooking a beautiful garden, with a pool and river was sold for R3.2 million. Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, the home offers open-plan entertainment areas and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Three of the bedrooms are en suite while separate guest en suite accommodation is on the second level.

Further top prices achieved include a magnificent modern Victorian-styled home, with access to the walking trails of the Marloth Nature Reserve, which sold for R2.95 million. 

This Swellendam home offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms, open-plan living areas, fitted kitchen, swimming pool and double garage. It is priced at R1.31 million – click here to view.

Located on a stand of 2 141sqm, the three bedroom, three bathroom home of approximately 350sqm has a spacious open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, tiled floors, a patio overlooking the pool and entertainment area, built-in braai and boma, attractive landscaped garden and separate lounge with bay windows and a fireplace.

Van der Merwe says a lovely four bedroom, two bathroom, 340sqm home set on 1 477sqm close to the nature reserve on the outskirts of town was also sold for R2.65 million.

He says homes across all price bands are in high demand in Swellendam, particularly those with views of the Langeberg Mountains. With its unique and relaxed environment and low crime rate, Swellendam sees a strong demand from buyers from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal who are seeking a slower pace of life in the country.

Others are retirement buyers who love the magnificent mountain scenery, lush green surrounds, charming heritage buildings, restaurants and social clubs as well as its proximity to Cape Town, Worcester, George and the coast.

This four bedroom home has an open-plan layout, fitted kitchen, swimming pool, landscaped garden, built-in braai and garaging for six vehicles. It is on the market for R3.2 million – click here to view.

Many of these are Capetonians who value the clean air, beautiful scenery and stress-free environment, with numerous outdoor leisure activities such as walking or hiking in the Marloth Nature Reserve, game drives, cycling, bird watching and fishing in the Bontebok National Park and horse riding trails.

Rich in agriculture and serving as a gateway to the Robertson Wine Valley, Swellendam is about two hours from Cape Town International Airport and an hour from the closest beach.

“These are the same compelling attractions which are drawing increased interest from overseas buyers, who after a long period of low activity are now seeking out the quietest parts of town and the best mountain views, and are buying either for investment or retirement purposes.”

The area also has high appeal for entrepreneurs who look to establish themselves in a strategic position where they can capitalise on the successful local tourism industry, while also being within easy reach of large centres for exports or imports.

Van der Merwe says they are currently experiencing a stock shortage of residential properties not only up to the R1 million mark but also up to R1.8 million.

He says a R1 million property usually consists of two or three bedroom houses, but varies according to location. Homes in the historical parts of town and those which are elevated or up a hill with spectacular mountain views are mostly higher priced, depending on a larger stand and whether it has a swimming pool and spacious entertaining spaces. At the lower end, he says they have a two bedroom flatlet available for R680 000.

A luxury property presently on the market is a trendy three bedroom, two bathroom home with mountain views situated in a peaceful cul-de-sac in an upmarket area. Priced at R3.45 million, this double storey home has an open-plan lounge and dining area, with a double-sided fireplace and good flow through to the entertainment room, which has been fitted with a pub and braai, and doors leading onto the patio and pool.