Is it only me, or does Tito need a new calculator?

Is it only me, or does Tito need a new calculator?

Is it only me, or does everyone else get the idea that Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni is adding up the right numbers but getting the wrong answer?

Every time the inflation rate rises, he sticks it to the consumer, blaming our spending habits for putting a strain on the economy. His reasoning, that there is too much money available to fund consumer credit, and that the money supply needs to be stunted through higher interest rates, sounds like dealing with one problem through a solution that is intended for something else completely. It’s like trying to run a Mac program on a Windows computer: it can be done, but that’s not the way it was intended to be used.

This is the way my mind sees it, and maybe it’s only me, but I suspect others think the same way. The interest rate itself, and especially regular increases in the interest rate, increases the cost of credit to manufacturers, distributors, transport operators, retailers, and everyone else involved in the supply chain. These costs are instantly passed on to the consumer, increasing their cost of living in a way that is completely out of their control.

So what does Tito do? Blames the consumer! Hikes the interest rate again! Starts the cycle again! And then blames the consumer again!

This is my plea to Tito: stop running Mac programs on your PC. It’s not good for you, it’s not good for consumers, and it’s not good for the economy. And get another calculator. Your existing one clearly is not adding up the right numbers.

Arthur Goldstruck blog in Thought Leader

Bullseye Arthur I concur 100%.Tito and his panel of experts put up the interest rates and the petrol prices which will obviously spike the cost of living statistics.

They then conclude that the man in the street is spending and needs to be punished and and ditto they do this again and again.

These same fat cats that get paid these lavish pay packets and bonuses from the fiscus coffers have the gall to tell the poverty stricken masses who comprise the majority of the population to tighten their belts.Most of these affected people cant afford belts and the few that just managed to access the formal sector find themselves floundering and slipping back into poverty.This is a dangerous consequence for South Africa both politically and socially.Our circumstances can not be compared to developed countries where all its citizens are middle class and have all the basics.They can survive a recession without dire starvation and homelesness

A developing country where most of the population are still confronting a third world reality need to spend and try and get the basics to survive in an rapidly expanding urban environment.Our ever growing miles of informal settlements confirm this.
Some form of low pegged interest rates for the lower end of the market is urgently needed.A South American country achieved fantastic growth in their standard of living and productivity in an inflationary environment.They then humanely introduced measures to remedy this gradually while retaining the benefits of this growth for all its citizens.Why do our politicians blindly follow the Western countries down the slippery slopes to oblivion?

This government has demonstrated that it is incapable of solving the housing crisis alone.The private sector who were the only hope of making a dent on this huge backlog have now shelved all affordable housing projects.In fact in South Africa the word “affordable housing” is an oxymoron.The new credit act was the final nail in the coffin of the masses ability to ever access credit for housing and self developement.

In conclusion its amazing to see all the analysts
giving credibility to the the same guys that embarked on the foolhardy crippling arms deal,the Eskom debacle and their inept management of law and order in all facets of “The New South Africa “.
A contracting economy fuels the brain drain,crime, fledgling business failures ,unemployment and poverty.Yes Tito your calculator as well as your compass is definitely broken.
Baffled Businessman?

Harold Kolnik on May 9th, 2008 at 1:21 am

If you are interested in buying or selling property in Cape Town's False Bay region, please visit www.falsebayproperty.co.za or www.coastalrealestate.co.za.

Gautengers Migrate to the Cape

Gautengers head for CT suburbs

Tuesday, 25 March 2008

Reports have been confirmed that there is now a steady migration of homeowners from Gauteng to Cape Town suburbs such as Scarborough, Kommetjie Simonstown and Noordhoek. The phenomenon has been christened 'semigration'. Jawitz Properties franchisee Harold Kolnik says that Joburg families, particularly with young children, are moving to the southern peninsula primarily to escape the high incidences of crime but also to pursue a better quality of life. "Many are loath to actually leave the country given of the disadvantage of the weak rand against currencies in the United Kingdom, the States and Australia, not to mention the trauma of actual relocation. The Cape is a more comfortable option," he says. However, he cautions, the equivalent of a R2m house in Joburg would fetch R5m in the Cape. Buyers have to be prepared to downscale and adjust to the local market. First-time buyers are finding it more difficult to enter the market due to the deterioration in affordability. Lower income groups are experiencing more strain than those in the higher income brackets due to rampant price inflation and the effects of interest rates. "Nevertheless, there's still good entry level value in areas such as Fish Hoek and Milkwood Park and Capri in Noordhoek – all of which are situated in a natural environment and close to the beach. A two-bedroom unit in a development in Fish Hoek would cost from R750k upwards and the average price of a stand-alone house starts at R950k, depending on the area," he says. In the higher priced bracket, suburbs such as Simonstown, Scarborough and Misty Cliffs offer a fantastic lifestyle with good security. Certain properties in these areas are 15% to 20% down on what they were two and half years ago, so now is the time for a buyer to lock into a good bargain. Kolnik says that there is no shortage of stock at present; but homes that are priced above R3m are taking up to five months to sell as opposed to two years ago when a property in this price bracket would sell within two months. The new municipal rates have made many holiday homes, that are marginally used, financially unviable. A number of these are now coming on to the market, many of which are priced at R3m and above. Likewise, rental stock is being sold off as the interest rate bites and landlords find they can no longer subsidise the bond. So, for the first time in a while, rentals are harder to find and those that are available are snapped up. Tighter security is being introduced in many of the newer developments such as De Goede Hoop and Klein Slangkop in Kommetjie. "These areas are still poplar with overseas buyers, but we are noticing a definite slackening off of interest since the Polokwane convention in November. Whereas, a couple of years ago, 40% of properties bought would be from foreign buyers or expatiates returning. "This has now dropped to about 20%. Foreigners are nervous about the political situation, the precarious power supply and the lack of infrastructure maintenance and are looking elsewhere to invest their money," he says. Article courtesy http://www.property24.com If you would like to buy or sell property in Cape Town's False Bay area, please visit www.falsebayproperty.co.za or www.coastalrealestate.co.za.

Black Buyers Heading South

Black buyers heading south

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PROSPECTIVE black buyers now make up a significant portion of Gauteng residents looking to relocate to Cape Town because of rising crime and violence.

Ian Slot, MD of Seeff Properties for Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard, central business district and city bowl, says in general there is huge interest in Cape Town property from Gauteng residents.

Two weeks ago, when the group was marketing a residential property for sale in Clifton, it received 30 calls in one morning from Gauteng . Slot says 25% of the calls were from black buyers.

He says it is an interesting new trend because he has been regularly told by black buyers and representatives of black buyers that there is a “hesitancy on the part of black buyers to buy in the Cape”.

“The reason for the hesitancy, we are told, is a perception on the part of black buyers that full integration has not taken place in Cape Town, like it has in the rest of the country.

“The perception of Cape Town is changing and this is demonstrated by the fact that we are getting more black buyers wanting to buy in Cape Town or relocate there. People are wanting to leave Gauteng because of the perception of increasing crime and violence, and this cuts across the colour line.”

He says the number of interested black buyers has started increasing only in recent months.

Last month, auction Alliance Group auctioneers told Business Day there had been a spike in the number of Gauteng residents looking to “semigrate” to coastal areas, in particular Cape Town.

Rael Levitt, CEO of Alliance Group, said at the time that the electricity woes, traffic and a “wave of shocking crimes” were among the factors influencing this trend.

Levitt said there was an impression, right or wrong , among Gauteng residents that Cape Town was safer than Johannesburg and less prone to power cuts and traffic jams.

Slot says the “wave of semigration” is economically defined and not racially or ethnically defined.

“There are significant numbers of black people in the upper middle class, and the black buyers are interested in the same areas as middle-class white buyers.”

He says areas such as Sea Point, where properties are priced from R2,5m to R3m, are popular and that others are also looking at more expensive areas such as Bantry Bay, Clifton and Fresnaye.

“I wouldn’t say the percentage of black buyers among current buyers is as high yet as the percentage of inquiries,” says Slot.

Meanwhile, Jawitz Properties in the Cape’s southern peninsula confirms there has been a steady migration of home owners from Gauteng to suburbs such as Scarborough, Kommetjie, Simon’s Town, and Noordhoek because of crime in Johannesburg.

Harold Kolnik, franchisee for Jawitz Properties in the southern peninsula , says he has seen only a small percentage of interested black buyers.

“Most of what I’m seeing in my neck of the woods is people who have been coming to the area on holiday for a number of years,” Kolnik says.

He says the southern peninsula is one of the Cape’s “best-kept secrets” with “fantastic prices” relative to expensive areas such as Clifton and Camps Bay.

He says black buyers in Gauteng are not aware of the southern peninsula and the value it offers compared with places such as Clifton and Camps Bay, which are far better known.

“Black buyers would find price advantages of 30% to 40% in buying in the southern peninsula, compared with Atlantic seaboard prices,” Kolnik says. - Nick Wilson

If you would like to buy or sell property in Cape Town's False Bay area, please visit www.falsebayproperty.co.za or www.coastalrealestate.co.za.

Dispassionate and harsh economic measures are dispossessing the people of hope and their birthright

“Dispassionate and harsh economic measures are dispossessing the people of hope and their birthright”
2:13AM, Saturday, 12 Apr, 2008
South Africa is already experiencing social unrest due to the acute housing shortage and overcrowded living conditions being experienced by the poorer majority. State housing schemes have all failed to deliver and funds have been misused due to flawed tendering processes, corruption and inept management. Present fiscal policy is hurting and slowing the key sectors that could remedy and stabilize the entire economy. Three budgets ago the government reduced transfer duty in line with its stated policy of assisting the entry level buyer to acquire a home; this has now effectively been negated. Now these buyers are the most vulnerable and most likely to lose their assets. How unfair and crazy is this? The man in the street did not cause the spike in the inflation statistics through reckless spending. The raising of interest rates and the fuel price are to blame. The sectors that should be leading the way are the banking and property Industries It is a known fact that developing nations such as South Africa require high growth in order to close the wide chasm between rich and poor The following Afro-centric remedies need to be implemented almost immediately; Interest rates on all mortgages of one million rand and less should be lowered to a pegged interest rate of not more than eight percent and lowered as things improve. This would be subsidized by the higher end loan sector whom are not in danger of losing their homes in a high interest rate environment. The onerous and unwieldy process should be made more user friendly for the less sophisticated and more informal prospective home owners. Innovative people friendly homes already exist in other parts of Africa that are safer, healthier, enviro-friendly and economically built because its materials are readily available Mozambique villages are charming examples of low cost thermally efficient and flame proof homes that are mostly built with bamboo, latte, mud or gravel that is plastered and very weatherproof. These measures would kick start the property market with the new buyers coming in at the bottom end. Developers could now focus on this sector of the market with its resultant job creation. Energy saving features should be introduced and subsidized by Government & Eskom. It is mystifying why our economists follow the West whom are unable to keep their own economies afloat and are blind to our own unique realities. The west are presently dropping the already low rates to avoid their economies going into recession, but our “experts “have chosen to raise them further. The logic of this is mystifying and most baffling. These public servants are getting paid generous wages from the state coffers so are immune from the hardship of belt tightening. This nation is capable and has achieved great and miraculous things in the past as well as producing some of the finest human beings and leaders on the planet. We are a special people with our own unique destiny and deserve that caliber of leadership to liberate us all. Best of all might we might yet see the end of the Pseudo-Tuscan eyesores that litter our country and rediscover our own African architectural style. Harold Kolnik Principal: Jawitz False Bay Property If you would like to buy or sell property in Cape Town's False Bay area, please don't hesitate to visit www.falsebayproperty.co.za or www.coastalrealestate.co.za.

Noordhoek Area Information

The Noordhoek Valley is without a doubt one of Cape Town’s most treasured locations and is found in the False Bay area on the Cape’s Southern Peninsula. With a famous beach and vast wetlands, the area has the added charm of a rural atmosphere and rustic surroundings. Those who buy property here are bound to take advantage of the sun-kissed beaches, quaint fishing harbours, penguin sanctuaries and dream diving opportunities on offer in and around the area.


The tranquil village is found at the end of the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive, which begins in Hout Bay and winds its way all the way down to Noordhoek. The area’s main attraction is the pristine sandy beach, which runs for several kilometres across the bay to Kommetjie and offers some of the most beautiful sea views and plenty of watersport activities. Many of the properties for sale in this part of Cape Town are located on or just back from the beachfront, taking full advantage of the panoramic ocean views.


Being a somewhat rural area, Noordhoek is also home to a number of commercial farms and smallholdings, with many local residents breeding and stabling horses. The spectacular sunsets can be enjoyed on horseback and many of the farms offer horse riding for adults and children alike. Very few suburbs on the South Peninsula have such a vibrant rural and artistic feel and Cape Town is a mere 25 minutes drive away.


Today, the area has expanded up the mountain to Ou Kaapse Weg and south towards Kommetjie, with some of its more well-known housing estates and residential suburbs being De Goede Hoop, Belvedere, San Michelle, Stonehaven, Cape Village, Milkwood Park, Sun Valley, Brookwood Estates, Noordsig and the Lakes, to name but a few. The Noordhoek Farm Village has a wonderful selection of farm stall restaurants and pubs, coffee shops and unusual eclectic shops that have become a magnet for both locals and tourists.

The Red Herring Trading Yard situated in the beach area heralded the start of a lovely Cape vernacular housing style, which has since set the benchmark for the tasteful development in the area. Monkey Valley is located on a hilltop and surrounded by milkwood forests, offering upmarket accommodation and magnificent ocean views. The properties for sale in Noordhoek range from residential homes and apartments, to holiday houses and flats, with smallholdings and farms, as well as stands and vacant land available.

We list the attractions in the vicinity below:

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Development Cavendish Square Fashion Mecca Long Beach Mall Misty Cliffs beaches Scarborough beaches Witsands windsurfing and surfing Mecca Simon’s Town Cape Point Boulder’s Beach Boulder’s Beach Penguin Reserve Kalk Bay Fish Harbour Simonstown Yacht Club Chapman’s Peak HoutBay St James Glencairn Beach Whale watching along both coastlines False Bay with all its beaches Bird watchers haven Hiking trails on Slangkop mountain

• If you would like to buy or sell property in Noordhoek Cape Town, please visit www.noordhoekproperties.co.za ; www.coastalrealestate.co.za or www.falsebayproperty.co.za.
  

Simonstown Area Information

Simon’s Town forms an integral part of False Bay on the Cape Peninsula and owes its existence to the Dutch Governor of the Cape Colony, who had the area surveyed in the 1600s and found it to be a safe winter harbour during the turbulent months of May to September. Those who buy property in this part of Cape Town will soon discover that it is home to an important Naval Base and Museum, as well as a number of well-preserved historical buildings.

Sometimes referred to as Simonstown, the residential area and town itself sit above the harbour right up on the mountainside. This means that the various properties for sale here have panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding natural landscape. The town has an interesting tale to tell about one of its residents, known as Able Seaman “Just Nuisance”, who is the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the navy. Special permission was granted by the British parliament and there is a statue erected in memory of the famous Great Dane in Jubilee Square.

Today, Simon’s Town extends from Glen Cairn in the north to Smits Winkel Bay in the south and lies adjacent to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. The area consists of a number of eclectic enclaves that stretch along the coastline and the warmer Mozambiquan current and sheltered bays make it popular as a beach Mecca. Those interested in property for sale here might also like to know that many wrecks lie just off the coast and the conditions for diving are excellent. As the summer months approach, residents can watch the Southern Right Whales birth their calves in the bay. One of the area’s main draw cards when it comes to Cape Town property investment is that it enjoys one of the best climates on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. This is due to the dogleg in the coastline, which gives Simonstown north exposure and later sunshine when the other areas higher up the False Bay Coast are already in shadow.

Glencairn is also relatively sheltered from the southeaster and faces north, with many fine examples of early Victorian architecture. The newer development of Glencairn Heights is less protected from the elements, but its position on the hillside means that it has commanding panoramic views. The Historic Society has valued many of the homes found in central Simon’s Town and the business district has developed into an interesting array of creative shops and restaurants, catering for both the local and foreign tourist market. The pan-African market and bustling yacht harbour provide a daily attraction, with Boulders Beach, Seaforth and Murdoch Valley providing all the seaside entertainment you could ever wish for. The famous penguin colonies are a favourite with both young and old, with many breeding colonies having been established in the dunes and rocky outcrops along Boulders Beach.

Property Profile With all its natural attractions and well-developed infrastructure, Simonstown is also a virtually crime-free environment and property investment continues to boom here. It represents a fantastic way of life and excellent value for money when compared to other Cape Town suburbs further north, many of which don’t have such an exceptional setting to offer. The price of vacant land for sale ranges from about R650 000 and reaches up to R5 000 000 for plots on the beachfront. Houses and homes for sale cost from R850 000 all the way up to R11 000 000 for prime property.

Geography The unique position of Simon’s Town at the tip of the Peninsula, as well as the surrounding natural conservation area endow it with many special attributes. Scarborough is just 10 minutes drive away, which brings you to the start of the Atlantic Seaboard and Misty Cliffs and Kommetjie a bit further north. The famous Long Beach stretches across to Noordhoek and is popular with watersport enthusiasts and those who like to walk their dogs. Chapman’s Peak Drive also begins in Noordhoek and offers some of the most incredible cliff-side ocean views as it winds its way towards Camps Bay, Clifton and Sea Point. If you travel north from Glencairn along the coastal road, the villages of Fish Hoek, Clovelly, Kalk Bay, St James and Muizenberg are all within easy reach and offer an eclectic flavour and cultural identity typical of the Cape Peninsula. No wonder the properties for sale in Simonstown are sought after, with the various homes and apartments selling quickly when priced and marketed competently.

Attractions of the area: Gemstones – Scratch Patch Fish Hoek Beach Kalk Bay Fish Market Muizenberg Beach Zandvlei park Blue Route Mall Cavendish Square Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Greenmarket Square Cape Town’s Malay Quarter Table Mountain St James sea water swimming pool Boulders Beach – Penguin colony Seaforth Beach Smit Winkels Bay – unique beach village Castle Rock – secluded coastal enclave Glencairn Beach – sandy safe bathing beach Quarter Deck Waterfront development Naval Dockyard Cape Point Nature Reserve Cape Point Lighthouse Long Beach Mall Noordhoek Farm Village Long Beach Surfer’s Delight Scarborough’s sandy beaches Misty Cliffs exclusive enclave Constantia’s wine lands Hout Bay

“Your Simonstown Property Specialist”

If you would like to buy or sell property in Simon's Town, please visit www.simonstownproperties.co.za ; www.coastalrealestate.co.za or www.falsebayproperty.co.za.

Misty Cliffs Area Information

Misty Cliffs is a conservation village in Cape Town located on the northern side of Scarborough just 15 minutes from the Cape Point Reserve. Renowned for its breathtaking sea views and magnificent natural landscape, this small enclave is comprised of 75 plots. The size of the properties for sale is generally around 600 sq. metres and prices for a mountainside plot start at R2 million, with beachfront plots changing hands at well over R5 million.

Known for exquisite sunsets and long hours of sunshine during the summer, Misty Cliffs is also better protected from the southeasterly winds than many other areas on the False Bay Coast. Those who buy properties on the Cape Town coast are guaranteed panoramic views of the ocean and a typical sedentary seaside lifestyle. Between July and December each year, you can watch the Southern Right Whales birth their calves just off the Scarborough coastline. Predominantly a holiday village, the community has grown over the years and is now viable and settled, with an infrastructure of schools and other facilities continuing to develop.


Misty Cliffs is fast-becoming a popular property investment option, particularly due to the fact that property values have increased significantly over recent years. The nearby area of Scarborough has the long established Camel Rock Restaurant and newly-opened Cape Farm House Restaurant to cater for the odd meal out. False Bay, Fish Hoek, Kommetjie and Noordhoek are all within a short drive of the village. If you buy property here, there is a well-established infrastructure for the design, construction and alteration of houses and homes, with many architects now living in the village.

Below is a list of attractions in the area and some landmarks:

• Long Beach Mall
• Misty Cliffs beaches
• Scarborough beaches
• Witsands windsurfing and surfing Mecca
• Simon’s Town
• Cape Point
• Boulder’s Beach
• Boulder’s Beach Penguin Reserve
• Kalk Bay Fish Harbour
• False Bay Yacht Club
• Chapman’s Peak
• HoutBay
• St James
• Glencairn Beach
• Whale watching along both coastlines
• False Bay with all its beaches
• Bird watchers haven
• Hiking trails on Slangkop mountain

“Your Misty Cliffs Property Specialist”

If you would like to buy or sell property in Misty Cliffs False Bay Cape Town, please visit www.coastalrealestate.co.za or www.falsebayproperty.co.za.

Scarborough Area Information

Scarborough lies on the Cape Peninsula and is the southernmost hamlet on the Atlantic Coast. Its boundary borders the Cape Point Nature Reserve and the area is renowned for being dedicated to conservation. Many of its other perimeters are also private nature reserves and those who buy property in this part of Cape Town are committed to reversing past environmental damage and protecting the natural landscape from future environmental impacts.


Apart from the natural beauty of the indigenous fauna found here, the villages of Scarborough and Misty Cliffs are also known to have a significant presence of wildlife, with baboons very much in evidence, as well as a number of guinea fowl, porcupines, small buck and a variety of bird species. The adjacent reserves also offer an abundance of both flora and fauna. The properties for sale in Scarborough attract nature lovers from all over the Cape, many of them active in the environmental sciences and who wish to settle in a natural environment rich in animal and plant life.


WHY BUY PROPERTY IN SCARBOROUGH?
In terms of Cape Town property investment potential, there is a population of just 2000 full time residents and there are approximately 800 plots, of which 65% have already been built up and developed. The fact that land is so limited has pushed the prices of property up and this means that your property is always appreciating in value. There are two major segments to the village, with plots for sale in the area below the Main Road and close to the ocean, or further up the slope. The topography determines the potential view, as well as the price of the land, which ranges from about R200 000 for plots below the Main Road to R300 000 for the upper section.



BUILDING INFORMATION:
When you buy vacant land, the cost of building depends on a number of things, including the position, size of the plot, quality of materials and level of finishes. It’s obviously more expensive to develop on a site that slopes, with current prices ranging between R5500 and R7500 per sq. metre. There is a voluntary body of architects, surveyors and builders that acts as an aesthetics committee to ensure that future development does not destroy the natural and built environment.


HOUSES AND HOMES FOR SALE:
If you are interested in existing houses and homes for sale, there is a varied and eclectic mix of property to buy in the Scarborough area. These range from small bungalows to pre-fabricated beach cottages and the more upmarket luxury structures. The prices vary from R1 500 000 to R4 000 000 and this coastal enclave is highly regarded as a prime property investment option, offering exceptional value for money and an unbelievable coastal lifestyle. There is also a low crime rate due to the presence of a communal security service that all residents subscribe to.

If you would like to buy or sell property in Scarborough Cape Town, please visit www.scarboroughproperty.co.za ; www.coastalrealestate.co.za or www.falsebayproperty.co.za.

Kommetjie Area Information

Kommetjie is a charming village isolated by majestic mountains and situated on the Atlantic Coast of the Western Cape’s Southern Peninsula. Conveniently close to Cape Town, the area is delightfully rural and unspoiled, maintaining an atmosphere of peaceful isolation even in peak holiday season. The properties for sale here are renowned for their panoramic ocean views across to Hout Bay and the beautiful Slangkop Mountains that stand guard over the seaside village. Named for the natural tidal pool that forms as the tides rise and fall, Kommetjie derives from Dutch and means “little basin”.


The area is also known for its scenic drives, whether you approach the hamlet from Ou Kaapse Weg via the Silvermine Nature Reserve with views of False Bay and Long Beach, or along Chapman’s Peak Drive from Hout Bay with a dramatic cliff edge perspective of the awe-inspiring Atlantic Ocean. Those who buy property here are guaranteed the advantage of extensive ocean views and access to pristine sandy white beaches that go for miles on end.

Adding to the village’s charming appeal is the fact that it is essentially a fisherman’s haven, with its resources of crayfish and perlemoen in the early days unequalled by any other area on the Atlantic coastline. Unfortunately, over-fishing and poaching has caused these resources to deplete, but there are conservation plans in place to ensure that it endures. Many of the residential homes and holiday houses for sale in Kommetjie overlook Long Beach, which is renowned for its excellent surfing conditions and consistent waves. It’s not unusual for residents to watch wind and kitesurfers actively taking part in the excellent water activities on offer.

Kommetjie has developed into a close-knit community over recent years, as residents from other parts of the Cape have settled in and around the area. There is an adequate infrastructure that services the local residents, with a range of supermarkets and 24-hour stores, as well as restaurants and garages. Klein Slangkop Estate is an upmarket gated development located right on the beach and other residential areas include Riverside Glen, the Old Kom, Imhoff Gift and Blue Water Bay.

Kommetjie’s growing popularity as a property investment option can be attributed to its beautiful coastal setting, the various aquatic and boating activities available in the area, as well as its relative proximity to Cape Town. The properties for sale include houses and homes, apartments and flats, stands and smallholdings, as well as commercial property and vacant land.

Below is a list of attractions in the area and some landmarks:

Long Beach Mall

Misty Cliffs beaches

Scarborough beaches

Witsands windsurfing and surfing Mecca

Simon’s Town

Cape Point

Boulder’s Beach

Boulder’s Beach Penguin Reserve

Kalk Bay Fish Harbour

False Bay Yacht Club

Chapman’s Peak

HoutBay

St James

Glencairn Beach

Whale watching along both coastlines

False Bay with all its beaches

Bird watchers haven

Hiking trails on Slangkop mountain

If you would like to buy or sell property in Kommetjie or the False Bay area, please feel free to visit www.kommetjieproperty.co.za ; www.falsebayproperty.co.za or www.coastalrealestate.co.za.

Fish Hoek Area Information

Meaning “fish corner” in Afrikaans, Fish Hoek is a coastal village nestled in a valley formed at the mouth of the Silvermine River on the False Bay side of the Western Cape’s Southern Peninsula. Once a quaint fishermen’s village, the area still maintains an atmosphere of peace and quiet and the various properties for sale are popular with locals wishing to escape the madness of city life and those looking to retire to a tranquil, sedentary lifestyle.

Just 35 kilometres from the centre of Cape Town, Fishhoek offers the best of both worlds, with residents able to take advantage of the fast-paced activities in the city and retreat to peaceful isolation whenever the need arises. Fish Hoek is also famous for being a “dry” area, which stems from a condition placed on the land sold by the original owner, who insisted that there was to be no alcohol sold here. Those who buy property will find alcohol available in the various restaurants in the area, but there are still no bottle stores to be found.

Strung together like a string of pearls, the coastal towns of St James, Kalk Bay, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Glen Cairn and False Bay each have their own cultural identity and unique flavour to offer the various visitors and inhabitants. The many historical houses and coastal homes have long made the region a popular property investment option. The properties for sale range from ornate Victorian homes to more substantial Georgian mansions, with a number of contemporary houses and neo-Tuscan villas also available.

The limited space between mountain and sea means that there are no major developments being constructed along the coastline and the increased demand results in property prices that are always rising. This means that buying a property for sale in Fishhoek will produce high returns on the investment and the coastal holiday perspective continues to make the area popular with investors. The properties to buy here include residential homes and apartments, holiday houses and flats, as well as limited stands and commercial properties.

Attractions of the area:

Gemstones – Scratch Patch

Fish Hoek Beach

Kalk Bay Fish Market

Muizenberg Beach

Zandvlei park

Blue Route Mall

Cavendish Square

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Greenmarket Square

Cape Town’s Malay Quarter

Table Mountain

St James sea water swimming pool

Boulders Beach – Penguin colony

Seaforth Beach

Smit Winkels Bay – unique beach village

Castle Rock – secluded coastal enclave

Glencairn Beach – sandy safe bathing beach

Quarter Deck Waterfront development

Naval Dockyard

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Cape Point Lighthouse

Long Beach Mall

Noordhoek Farm Village

Long Beach Surfer’s Delight

Scarborough’s sandy beaches

Misty Cliffs exclusive enclave

Constantia’s wine lands

Hout Bay

If you would like to buy or sell property in Fish Hoek, please visit www.fishhoekproperty.co.za, as well as www.falsebayproperty.co.za or www.coastalrealestate.co.za.