Strand Property

History

Strand Property was founded in the late 1600's as a fishing town by freed slaves and descendants of Malayan political prisoners - close to the mouth of the Lourens River. The town has with time been extended onto the land of the first farm in the area, Vlooibaai (established 1714), and later onto the farm Onverwacht.

Strand became the designated "fishing waters" of the Stellenbosch & Paarl farmers with a Dutch East Indian Company resolution in 1687. Despite this, Governor W A van der Stel monopolized the area between Lourensriver and Gordons Bay as his "exclusive fishing spot" to feed his slaves on Vergelegen farm - creating an outcry in the farming community. Strand transformed in the early 1800's into a holiday destination for especially the Boland farmers who spend their post harvest season in wagons and tents next to the beach. Quite a few houses were erected by 1835 as Strand's population grew to about 150 permanent inhabitants as some of the retired farmers converted their holiday homes into retirement homes.

Strand officially became a town in 1896. It was originally known as Somerset West Strand and changed to Strand in 1913.

What the area region is like right now

Strand property offers the convenience of city amenities and a world-class beach area without losing its small town feeling. Located in the Helderberg basin on the eastern edge of False Bay, it is within 20 minutes of Cape Town International airport, 45 minutes from Cape Town's CBD & 20 minutes from Stellenbosch University.

Within a radius of 10 kilometers, you will find a Regional Shopping Centre with 191 stores, a variety of sports facilities including 6 golf courses, choice of secondary and primary schools, top medical facilities (Vergelen Medi-Clinic / Strand Private Clinic / MEDSAC frail care etc.) with all national financial & commercial institutions represented. It has a population of about 50 000.

Strand's main attraction is its 5 kilometers long sandy white beach - with a variety of water sports such as surfing, sailing, power boating, kayak & paddle skiing, wind-surfing & board sailing being enjoyed at various points along the beach front. Strand was nominated the best family beach in South Africa in 2007.

Types of Real Estate available

Strand property varies between entry level apartments of +- R300 000 to beachfront penthouses of more than R10 million. The big choice for own title houses varies between townhouses of R400 000 & sea front houses up to R14 million in a golf estate. The biggest property growth points during the last 6 years has been the big choice of new developments on Beach Road as well as the investors or entry level market apartments.

Limitation on development ground bodes well in the long term for any property investment in the Strand. Capital growth rates achieved in the Strand property market during the 2004/2005 upswing surpassed the national average rate of 23% by far.

Entry level units started in 2003 @ R90 000 for a 30sq.m 1-bedroom apartment - selling at present from about R280 000. That is a growth of 211% in 7 years or about 30% per year. Capital growth has however since the beginning of 2008 flattened out - on par with the national property trend. A spade of distressed sales (auctions) in the apartment market has had a negative influence on capital growth during 2009.

Beach front apartments were selling in 2003 from about R6000 per sq.m to about R9000 per sq.m. Beachfront property is at present selling from +-R7 100 per sq. to R30 000 per square meter. The existing complexes on Beach Road can be categorized in 4 different price brackets according to "age & finishes" with the average price per square meter:

1.       Older than 20 years = R 7100 to R13 500 per sq/m

2.       10 - 20 years = R11 000 to R15 000 per sq/m

3.       3 - 10 years = R11 000 to R22 500 per sq/m

4.       new developments = between R18 000 and R30 000 per sq.m - depending on its finishes and the units location in the apartment block. Resales are between R16 000 & R24 700 per sq/m.

The more sought after suburbs such as Goedehoop & Strand North, has experienced capital growth rates between 2003 & 2009 of about  266% (38% p.a.) - with the average house price in Strand North raising from R450 000 to about R1,2 million. Capital growth in the Strand has however since 2008 flattened with the rest of the country - with buyers taking control of the market and distress sales putting a damper on the market's growth rates. The last 2 months of 2009 has however seen a surge in property sales - with CCH selling in November 2009 144% more property than in November 2008.

Future growth points in the Strand property market is the AECI development node across from the Somerset Mall. This will be the last land available for development - eagerly awaited by investors. Plans include a waterfront, an eco-friendly dune development & a links golf course.

General interest information

Strand is within 45 minutes of all the popular events and festivals hosted and places of interest in the Cape Town Metropolitan, Stellenbosch & Paarl areas - including art, music, theatre, dining, museums, nature, sports - and recreational facilities. 

Strand is probably the safest swimming beach in the Western Cape (one shark attack in more than 80 years) with water temperatures ranging between 12 to 21 degrees Celsius. That is between 5 to 10 degrees Celsius warmer than the more well known Atlantic Seaboard side of Cape Town. Early morning summer walks or jogs along the Strand beach beckons a large contingent of devotees from just after 05h30 - whilst late night swimming or surfing in "sunshine" is possible up to 20h30.

Conclusion

Strand Property has a distinct "Boland at the sea" feel to it and is an excellent choice to find your ideal real estate property. No better place to be strand-ed indefinitely!

• Residential Sale Property Ranging from R249,000 to R12,700,000

• Commercial Sale Property Ranging from R7,500,000 to R7,500,000