Thanks to remote working, it’s become possible to keep your big-wig Joburg salary while watching the whales breach off Robberg Beach.
There’s even a term for the trend: “co-primary” living. Essentially, homeowners are using their former weekend and holiday bolt-holes on a more permanent basis, along with their primary residences.
Since flexible working became the new norm, many working stiffs are looking to decamp for several weeks — or even months — at a time to claw back lost family time in an “agreeable” setting, says Grahame Diedericks, international liaison for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.
He reckons the rise of co-primary living has been further boosted by a rekindled love of the outdoors and a renewed focus on wellbeing.
Unsurprisingly, Diedericks says, the move away from frenetic urban lifestyles has led to diminished uptake globally of city penthouses, as well as “exponential” growth in demand for large, well-equipped homes in more tranquil surrounds.
Seeff Property Group chair Samuel Seeff says post-pandemic property sales in coastal hotspots have picked up to such an extent over the past two years that, in some areas, the second-home market now accounts for about 15% of total sales. Traditionally, this figure has been below 10%.
Referring to Lightstone data, Seeff says coastal areas that have seen a particularly big jump in transaction volumes since late 2020 include Hermanus, Langebaan, Gansbaai, Struisbaai and Betty’s Bay in the Western Cape. Kenton-on-Sea and Jeffreys Bay are the standout performers in the Eastern Cape, while Margate on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast has notched up equally impressive sales growth.
Seeff says surging demand for seaside properties has translated into a noticeable diversion in coastal and noncoastal house price growth rates.
Prices in coastal areas — within 500m of the coastline — accelerated by 7.9% in July, while growth in noncoastal areas eased to 3.9%. As a result, the coastal price premium has widened to 4% — the highest since mid-2005, by Lightstone’s count.
The transition from holiday to co-primary hotspot is particularly evident in upscale Plettenberg Bay, where demand and prices have surged. Steven Neufeld of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty says the total value of sales in Plett was up 82% last year, breaking through the R2bn mark for the first time. At the same time, average prices rallied by a whopping 26%.
Neufeld says sales have been equally brisk in the year to date. “Entry-level prices in Plett have risen to such an extent since 2020 that it’s difficult to find full-title homes below R3m,” he tells the FM.
Entry-level prices in Plett have risen to such an extent since 2020 that it’s difficult to find full-title homes below R3m
— Steven Neufeld
Pam Golding Property Group CEO Andrew Golding says the flow to coast and countryside is particularly noticeable in the Western Cape.
Many of the province’s smaller municipalities have seen significant private and public sector investment in medical, educational, retail, telecoms and transport infrastructure in recent years, he says. That has transformed a number of once sleepy retirement and holiday coastal enclaves into thriving hotspots.
The upshot, Golding says, is that these areas have become more attractive to younger homebuyers, many of whom are first purchasing properties as holiday homes, with a view to relocating or retiring there later.
Demand is particularly strong in areas with good road infrastructure, and within easy reach of cities or airports.
Golding cites Onrus, Vermont and Hermanus, on the whale coast, as prime beneficiaries of the trend. He also singles out nearby Gansbaai, saying this “Zoom town” is set to become a “boom town”, with a shortage of stock starting to develop.
The picturesque villages of Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond, Pringle Bay and Rooi Els, in the heart of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve — a Unesco world heritage site — are also gaining interest.
Further afield, in the Overberg region, towns including Greyton, Witsand, Swellendam, Robertson and Montagu are increasingly on the radar of second-home buyers — as are the Garden Route towns of Sedgefield, George and Knysna.
Demand for second homes is particularly strong in areas with good road infrastructure and within easy reach of cities or airports
— What it means:
Because people are spending more time in their second homes, they have become more specific about their requirements. Barbara Larney of Re/Max Wine & Whales in the Overberg region says while many will happily trade the convenience of city living for the space and quality of life offered in smaller coastal and country areas, buyers still want modern comforts.
High-speed internet, fibre connections and reliable cellular networks have become must-haves. “Buyers also want hi-tech home offices that offer privacy, soundproofed walls and good lighting for Zoom calls,” she says.
Access to backup energy supply is another box to be ticked. Larney notes that single-storey homes are popular in this regard, given the suitability of their expansive roof areas for solar power generation.
The question is: where should you stake your claim if you’re looking to invest in a co-primary home in an up-and-coming coastal or countryside area? The FM has canvassed real estate agents for some of their top picks.
Gansbaai (Whale coast, Western Cape)
Just over two hours’ drive from Cape Town, Gansbaai offers some of the best land-based whale watching in the world, great beaches and easy access to an array of activities, including wine routes, fishing, birdwatching, and horse and mountain bike trails. And the roads and municipal infrastructure are well maintained.
The village offers good value for money, priced about 50% below nearby Hermanus. Plots without sea views sell for R300,000-R600,000, while beachfront stands go for upwards of R1.8m. Family homes are in the R1.6m-R1.8m range, with seafront properties commanding R4.5m-R7m.
Many older homes in Gansbaai are being renovated, and plans are afoot for a new hospital and additional retirement accommodation.
Robertson (Boland, Western Cape)
Traditionally favoured by retirees, this quaint Boland town’s relaxed and hospitable lifestyle is starting to attract a younger crowd of buyers.
The town is in the fertile Breede River valley along Route 62, which, at 850km, is considered the world’s longest wine route. Robertson is also known for its deciduous fruit orchards and colourful gardens. Another key attraction is the sense of community and its platteland ambience — though the city buzz of Cape Town is still less than two hours’ drive away.
Robertson offers affordable homes at lower entry points than the Western Cape’s coastal resorts. Here, you can buy three-bedroom homes on 1,000m2 plots for about R1.5m. Vacant stands in the Silwerstrand Golf & Lifestyle Estate just outside Robertson can be bought for R370,000.
Dana Bay (Garden Route, Western Cape)
This seaside village is about 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Mossel Bay and is within a conservancy of the Cape floral kingdom.
Dana Bay boasts a long, pristine beach and is frequented by whale watchers during the August to October season. Water sports include yachting, boating and jet-skiing, and the Oystercatcher trail is one of the scenic hiking routes. The town has its own mini-supermarket, bakery, butchery, fuel station and liquor store, as well as a few eateries.
Prices of standalone houses average from R2m-R4m but can reach up to R10m. Undeveloped plots sell for upwards of about R500,000.
Oudtshoorn (Klein Karoo, Western Cape)
The town, an hour’s drive north of George and a popular stopover en route to the Cango Caves, is best known for its ostrich farms and historical sandstone homesteads. But Oudtshoorn is also catching the eye of second-home buyers and semigrants because of its relaxed lifestyle offering and safe, wholesome family environment. The town has a quirky selection of art and antiques stores, fresh produce markets and coffee shops.
Oudtshoorn offers buyers plenty of value. Three-bedroom heritage sandstone homes are available from R1.2m, while new developments, such as Pepperwood Lifestyle Estate and Tribeca Estate, offer a range of options typically priced from R1.6m-R2.5m.
Kenton-on-Sea (sunshine coast, Eastern Cape)
Sandwiched between the Boesmans and Kariga rivers, Kenton-on-Sea is an unspoilt coastal village about halfway between Gqeberha and East London.
Demand for property in Kenton, as well as the nearby villages of Boesmansriviermond, Boknesstrand, Cannon Rocks and Port Alfred, has rocketed in the past two years. Many who own holiday homes here are apparently converting them into permanent residences.
The area is known for its beautiful beaches, abundant fish and birdlife, and a laid-back vibe that appeals to those looking to escape the crowds. Kenton has a close-knit community, a smattering of family-owned restaurants and popular watering holes.
Standalone houses cost about R2m-R6m. Vacant plots start at R150,000.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.