Bela Bela property market springs to life

The property market in Bela Bela, often referred to as the “gateway to the Limpopo”, is showing distinct signs of life.

Fred van Heerden, principal of top local agency CENTURY21 Bushveld Properties, is optimistic about prospects after having notched up sales amounting to some R16m in May. That figure includes security village residential properties and a game farm that typify the type of properties that proliferate in this region.

Hotels, lodges, guest houses, nature reserves and game ranches are all to be found in this playground of the North which Gautengers are rapidly re-discovering, he says. “Bela Bela is perfectly situated – within an hour-and-a-half of Johannesburg and Pretoria, close enough for a weekend visit but far enough to be away from the crime and grime of the big cities.“

And Bela Bela’s tourism attractions are renowned. The town is home of the famed natural mineral springs and with its mild climate, stunning scenery and diverse range of holiday and leisure options, as well as some of the best golf courses in the country, it is also a retirement mecca.

Adds Van Heerden: “The property market in this part of the world had been quiet until recently, but now there are plenty of enquiries and a new belief in property.

“There’s interest in leisure properties, lifestyle farms, eco-estates and residential property set within game farms. There are now also enquiries about properties in the town itself, reflecting the appeal of its low crime rate, affordable municipal rates and good amenities.”

The local economy is doing well he says, as reflected in commercial developments such as the local waterfront and new shopping centres including a planned 23 000sqm regional mall.

And property prices remain attractive, with serviced stands in a development being marketed by the CENTURY21 office selling for R180 000 for 600sqm.

“We certainly believe the corner has been turned, at least partly due to the fact that we promote our brand so strongly here, inclusive of sponsorship for the annual CENTURY21 Bela Bela cycle race,” says Van Heerden.

Article by: www.century21.co.za