Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard: A Real Estate Boom

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real estate cape town

Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard is booming with real estate excitement! Known for its stunning views and fancy lifestyle, properties here grow in value at about 9.7% each year. Rental prices are 15% higher than in other areas, attracting both local and international buyers. The buzz around this area is fueled by tourists flocking in, eager to enjoy its beauty, making it a hot spot for smart investments. With more people showing interest and potential lower interest rates on the horizon, the future looks bright for this beautiful part of Cape Town!

What Makes Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard a Real Estate Hotspot?

Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard is a real estate hotspot due to its breathtaking views, luxurious lifestyle, and consistent property growth of 9.7% annually. With rental prices 15% higher than other regions and a surge in both domestic and international interest, it’s an attractive investment opportunity.

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Transformative Growth in the Property Market

Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard has emerged as a hotspot for significant real estate growth, reshaping the property landscape across the region. Property owners in this area witness impressive returns on their investments, drawing interest from both domestic and international markets. The Atlantic Seaboard, famous for its breathtaking views and luxurious lifestyle, now commands rental prices around 15% higher than other parts of South Africa. This can be attributed to a consistent growth rate of 9.7% annually, highlighting sustained demand and enticing opportunities for investors.

The allure of the Atlantic Seaboard extends beyond traditional renters, catching the eye of a substantial number of tourists. This shift mirrors global trends, such as the rise in remote work, the burgeoning experience economy, and the depreciation of the Rand. These factors have collectively made Cape Town a sought-after destination for extended stays, typically lasting from two to four months. Consequently, the local rental market has evolved to offer flexible and attractive options for both temporary residents and long-term investors.

Prominent real estate firms like Nox Property, based in Camps Bay, have reported a dynamic market environment. As of September 1, 2024, Cape Town’s Central Business District and the Atlantic Seaboard boast 11,392 active property listings. Over the last year, property availability has increased by 17%, resulting in an average Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) of R1,910.00 and expanding the market size to approximately R8.5 billion.

Tourism Surge and Real Estate Dynamics

Richard Marshall, co-founder of Nox Property, emphasizes the remarkable resurgence of tourism in Cape Town, with visitor numbers approaching pre-pandemic levels. Between January and April 2024, air arrivals rose by 13% year-on-year, reaching 405,021 visitors, with 91% coming from international locations. Cape Town’s captivating attractions, inviting climate, and prestigious accolades have solidified its reputation as a premier destination for foreign investors and domestic semigrants from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

The prospect of favorable interest rates further boosts Cape Town’s real estate appeal. Marshall predicts that a potential decrease in interest rates could ignite increased buyer interest, particularly among those looking for rental investment properties. The Atlantic Seaboard currently manages approximately R2.5 billion in assets. Interestingly, only one in twenty buyers plan to use these properties as primary residences, with ownership almost evenly split between foreign (55%) and local (45%) buyers. In areas like Camps Bay, however, local ownership rates soar to 62.5%.

Nox Property has secured a substantial market presence, capturing a 10% share in property sales within Camps Bay and Clifton. From January to June 2024, they concluded 43 sales, with prices for freestanding residential properties averaging R17 million, ranging from R9 million to R54 million. Sectional title properties averaged R9 million, with sale prices spanning from R2.4 million to R26 million. Typically, properties remain on the market for 107 days for sectional titles and 126 days for freestanding homes.

Investment Trends and Economic Impact

Marshall notes that properties priced over R20 million attract foreign buyers interested in lifestyle investments rather than immediate financial returns. Many capitalize on the weaker Rand, aligning capital growth with inflation. These homeowners often stay in their properties for several months annually, renting them out short-term when they are away. Short-term rentals offer significant income, with four-bedroom homes starting at R11,000 per night and five-bedroom homes beginning at R22,000. This rental income helps offset holding costs, including utilities and municipal taxes.

Income generated from short-term rentals supports property owners and boosts local employment. It creates job opportunities in various roles, from housekeeping to maintenance, contributing to the local economy’s steady income stream. Nox Property alone employs 172 staff members, including 120 housekeepers, injecting an estimated R10 million annually into the payroll and broader economic landscape.

As the market anticipates a potential 50 basis point interest rate cut by November, with the repo rate possibly dropping to 7.5%, Nox foresees sustained investor interest in the Atlantic Seaboard. Lower interest rates typically increase property values, encouraging investors to purchase properties for rental income. Until short-term rental regulations become clearer, the market shows little risk of slowing down.

The Future of the Atlantic Seaboard

The Atlantic Seaboard’s thriving real estate market embodies the convergence of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and modern lifestyle trends. With its unique combination of favorable market conditions and cultural allure, the region stands as a testament to Cape Town’s enduring appeal and potential for future growth. As investors and tourists alike flock to this picturesque coastline, Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard continues to solidify its position as a premier destination for both luxury living and lucrative investments.

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What contributes to the real estate boom on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard?

The Atlantic Seaboard is experiencing a real estate boom due to its stunning views, luxurious lifestyle, and consistent property value growth of approximately 9.7% annually. Additionally, rental prices in this area are about 15% higher than in other regions, making it a prime investment opportunity for both local and international buyers.

How does tourism impact the real estate market in this area?

Tourism significantly boosts the real estate market on the Atlantic Seaboard. With the number of visitors approaching pre-pandemic levels, the demand for rental properties, especially short-term rentals, has surged. Tourists often seek extended stays, typically lasting between two to four months, which further stimulates the local rental market.

What are the current property price trends in the Atlantic Seaboard?

As of early 2024, properties in the Atlantic Seaboard have shown impressive averages. Freestanding residential properties are averaging around R17 million, while sectional title properties average R9 million. Prices vary widely, with freestanding homes ranging from R9 million to R54 million and sectional titles from R2.4 million to R26 million.

Who is buying property in the Atlantic Seaboard?

The buyer demographic is quite diverse, with approximately 55% of buyers being foreign investors and 45% local. Interestingly, in affluent areas like Camps Bay, local ownership rates rise to 62.5%. Most buyers are investing for lifestyle rather than primary residence purposes, particularly for properties priced over R20 million.

How do short-term rentals affect the local economy?

Short-term rentals play a vital role in supporting the local economy. Property owners generate significant income through these rentals, which can range from R11,000 to R22,000 per night for larger homes. This income not only helps offset holding costs but also creates jobs in housekeeping, maintenance, and other roles, injecting an estimated R10 million annually into the local economy.

What are the future prospects for the Atlantic Seaboard real estate market?

The future for the Atlantic Seaboard’s real estate market looks promising, particularly with anticipated lower interest rates. A potential cut of 50 basis points could entice more buyers and potentially accelerate property value growth. The combination of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and modern lifestyle trends positions the area as a premier destination for luxury living and smart investments.
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Thabo Sebata is a Cape Town-based journalist who covers the intersection of politics and daily life in South Africa's legislative capital, bringing grassroots perspectives to parliamentary reporting from his upbringing in Gugulethu. When not tracking policy shifts or community responses, he finds inspiration hiking Table Mountain's trails and documenting the city's evolving food scene in Khayelitsha and Bo-Kaap. His work has appeared in leading South African publications, where his distinctive voice captures the complexities of a nation rebuilding itself.

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