What’s in a view?

Undoubtedly, one of the most compelling features of any home for sale is an appealing view. It’s human nature to be drawn to scenic vistas, especially unobstructed views across lakes or the ocean, tranquil countryside or of majestic mountains, says Tania Smit, who heads up Pam Golding Auctions.

Says Smit: “Years of Covid restrictions have reawakened our desire for and appreciation of the freedom and sense of calm we enjoy through the beauty of natural surrounds, wide open spaces or your own private garden providing a green haven of peace. Homes which provide these, whether on a grand or more modest scale, are sought after among many home buyers.

“Who hasn’t yearned to be able to sit by a window or on a patio with scenic daytime, sunset or moonlit views, and gaze onto these any time of the day or night, from your very own property.

“Certainly, it’s widely acknowledged that views such as these will add value to a property, which is positive for when you eventually want to sell.

“That said, if you are drawn to homes with a great view, or open green space which affords a sense of wellbeing, and are in the market to buy now, perhaps you may not be in a position to pay a premium price to acquire such a home.”

“To be honest,” says Smit, “in today’s economic climate, everyone is looking for value. Which is why an online property auction can be an ideal option for home buyers, as all our properties are priced to sell and therefore represent excellent value, without compromising on quality. In fact, properties sold via Pam Golding Auctions are typically as much as 15-20% below the price previously listed on the market.

“Already available on the website, our latest catalogue of properties which go on auction (auctions.pamgolding.co.za) from 7 July 2022, includes properties in prime locations which offer exceptional views and appealing open space.”

Among notable properties on auction is a 27.51ha fruit farm set high against the Du Toits Kloof Mountains a few kilometres from Paarl in the Cape’s picturesque Boland region. With a guide price of R35 million (plus VAT), and with panoramic vistas over the striking Cape landscape, this estate includes a grand and luxurious main, six-bedroom homestead comprising 898sqm plus 144sqm of balconies; a manager’s house of 219qm; third house of 177sqm; and other buildings consisting of garages, staff accommodation, workshop, and store rooms, as well as 8.46ha of wine grapes (Shiraz, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon), 1.8ha of olives and 3.43ha of plums.

With access to water from the Drakenstein River, three boreholes and two dams for water storage, the property is being sold as a going concern.

Also in the Western Cape, in upmarket Baronetcy Estate in Plattekloof in Cape Town’s sought-after Northern Suburbs is a sophisticated four-bedroom home with spectacular views over Cape Town and iconic Table Mountain, with a guide price of R8.95 million.

Meanwhile in exclusive Pezula Private Estate on the scenic Garden Route in Knysna, with sweeping views over the majestic Outeniqua mountains, a double-volume, three-bedroom house designed by well-known local architect, Nic Olivier, has a guide price of R9.85 million. Pezula Estate includes a renowned golf course, 5-Star hotel with restaurant and spa/gym, with numerous amenities and outdoor leisure activities on the doorstep in Knysna and surrounds.

Smit says for a buyer wishing to build their dream home, an 1856sqm vacant stand in Bela-Bela Fish Eagle security estate in Limpopo is well positioned atop a hill, with expansive views over the Fish Eagle dam. Only a 1.5-hour drive from Pretoria in the scenic Waterberg Area with birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking, game viewing and golf, this stand has a guide price of R330 000.

Also highly appealing for nature lovers is an impressive four-bedroom holiday home in Doornkop Fish & Wildlife Estate set on a 1ha stand in the Komati Valley, near Kruger National Park and a only three-hour drive from Gauteng. With a guide price of R1.9 million, there are panoramic views from all rooms and 10 dams with trout within the estate.

In Johannesburg, in the increasingly popular suburb of Linden – with good schools, beautiful parks and trendy restaurants, a beautifully-maintained, three-bedroom family home is on offer with a guide price of R2.5 million.

Other properties on the online auction include a stylish, luxury four-bedroom house in the prestigious suburb of Oewerzicht in Oudtshoorn, with a guide price of R6.5 million – and with approved plans for four additional self-catering guest rooms and rezoning as a guest house;  a 8.8ha smallholding with a spacious four-bedroom family home in Grootvlei in Pretoria North – with a guide price of R1.95 million; and an appealing farm-style, five-bedroom home with two separate flats in lush, tranquil surrounds in Heatherlands near George in the Western Cape, with a guide price of R5.1 million.

Adds Smit: “Every Thursday further properties are added to the catalogue, with updates sent to subscribers. Once listed, there is a period of up to four weeks before the auction commences, for interested buyers to view the property and do the necessary due diligence. The auction runs for six days which means that buyers have ample time to place their bids, while all pre-auction offers will also be considered by the sellers. Ease and convenience of acquiring a home at exceptional prices and in a secure, fully transparent environment is seeing online auctions rapidly gain in popularity among buyers. In addition, our specialist buyer liaison managers, who are solely focused on servicing the needs of our buyers, are always available to assist.

How it works

“Enabled by Offr, a unique offer processing engine, buyers on our sales platform have access to a convenient, hassle-free end-to-end online property transaction which includes pre-auction offers as well as auction bidding on any device and from anywhere in the world – and with the benefit of no buyer’s fee payable.”

Interested buyers simply register on the platform and follow the easy steps, which include direct personal service, booking a convenient property viewing time and applying for pre-approved mortgage finance. All bids are made anonymously and securely, while a unique buyer’s dashboard provides a real time view of offers by all buyers. Successful buyers need to sign a binding contract and pay a non-refundable deposit within 24 hours, with the balance due on the closing date stipulated. Any pre-auction offers are treated the same as any traditional property purchase.

For further information visit auctions.pamgolding.co.za or contact Tania Smit, head of Pam Golding Auctions via auctions@pamgolding.co.za .

Posted by The Know - Pam Golding Properties