Rental market boom is a boost for rental investments.
Category Rental Property
Rentals are booming as many opt to rent in this economic climate, say many of Seeff's rental agents. Rental rates have reached some of the highest levels in years. PayProp for example reported earlier this year that their data showed that rental rates had grown at the best year-on-year levels since 2017.
According to the Seeff Property Group demand in some areas has pushed rates to a level where rental property investors are seeing returns of anywhere between 9% in Century City in Cape Town and 19.5% in the Melrose and Illovo areas in Joburg North/Sandton.
These returns are significantly higher than inflation and potentially among the highest seen in recent years.
A stream of semigration has boosted Cape Town's high-end rentals
Sonya Garisch and Jaqui Bush, rental agents with Seeff Constantia have achieved rentals of up to R120,000 per month in Constantia. They say there has been higher tenant demand for luxury rentals this year with a combination of corporate and private tenants, both local and international, driving the demand.
The stream of people relocating to the Cape is higher than ever before according to the agents, citing Cape Town's growing desirability with people not only heading here from upcountry areas, but also international relocations. Landlords have been commanding, and achieving, higher rentals than in the past due to the high tenant demand.
Ross Levin, licensee for Seeff Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl says Cape Town's premier markets are back to the pre-Pandemic levels with residential and holiday tenants streaming in. There is now a shortage of stock and Levin expects the market to get even busier with the bumper tourist season expected. Semigration will boost further demand heading into 2024.
Seeff has achieved rentals of up to R134,000 per month in Bantry Bay, R112,000 at the Waterfront, R95,000 in Mouille Point, R85,000 in Tamboerskloof and R65,000 in Sea Point, Three Anchor Bay and in the CBD, respectively.
Apartments are especially sought after and make good rental investments, says Craig Watchurst from Seeff. One bedroomed units now rent out for up to R15 000 per month and two bedrooms for as much as R30 000 per month.
According to Helga Clemo, licensee for Seeff Century City, an area in high demand for its central location, high security and "work, live and play" lifestyle. Rental investors can earn returns of up to 9.6% in complexes such as Villa Italia and Bougain Villas on a two-bedroomed unit which costs around R1.8 million and rents out for around R15 000 per month.
A one-bedroomed unit in Knightsbridge, which starts at R1.540 million currently rents out at R12 000 per month, achieving a return on investment of 9%.
Popular Gauteng hubs are inundated with rental enquiries
The Johannesburg North and Sandton areas are in high demand for the status and desirability of living close to the Sandton CBD. Caché Pasqualle, rentals manager for Seeff Sandton says areas such as Melrose and Illovo offer good rental investment opportunities as people who work in the area want to live here. Rental rates are around R9,000 to R15,000 per month (R14,000 on average) and returns are up to 19.5%.
According to Tiaan Pretorius, manager for Seeff Centurion, areas such as Die Hoewes in Centurion currently offer a return on your investment of up to 10% (gross yield) based on a two-bedroomed townhouse which sells for upwards of R850,000 and rents out at upwards of R7,000 per month.
Amberfield offers a return of 8.6% based on a three-bedroomed townhouse which sells for upwards of R1.4 million and rents out at R10,000. The popular Midstream area offers a return of 8.7% for a large three-bedroomed townhouse which sells for R2.9 million and rents out at R21,000 per month.
Slower sales, but booming rentals in the KZN region
According to Joleen Giraudeau, a manager with Seeff South Coast, areas such as Pennington and Scottburgh are still seeing an influx of people from the cities looking for the quiet coastal lifestyle and many are choosing to rent.
More families are also moving from houses into complexes to reduce costs and for security. Many land owners are building multiple dwellings on properties to let out and not to sell as the returns are quicker given the high demand for rentals. Houses currently rent out for R8,500 to R10,000, and complexes for R8,500 to R9,000. Current selling prices are between R850,000 and R1.3 million for the same rental properties.
Elaine Vandayar, licensee for Seeff Richards Bay says three popular rental areas which offer excellent investment opportunities for those looking to capitalise on rental returns include Meerensee, Arboretum and Birdswood.
Sectional title properties are the most popular. The average selling price for sectional investment properties is R1.2 million while the average rentals are in the R6,500 to R7,000 per month range, offering a yield of around 5%.
Buying or Renting - What your money can get in Cape Town's most popular suburbs
The semigration surge continues, and if you are amongst those who are thinking of joining the 4.89 million people who live in Cape Town, the good news is that there are many great neighbourhoods to choose from.
But where to put down roots in this beautiful city?
Likewise, for those who already call the city home, but may be considering a suburb change - whether to accommodate a growing family, climbing on the property ladder for the first time, downsizing, or moving closer to work, there are a range of reasons to move, and knowing where best to buy to suite your needs - and budget - is key.
Alexa Horne, MD of Dogon Group Properties provides some insights and comparisons into what your money can buy you in some of Cape Town's most popular suburbs.
"The Southern Suburbs have become increasingly popular over the last few years for families. The area offers beautiful, safe surroundings and large well-built homes. In addition to this there are plenty of good schools nearby as well as access to a myriad of leisure activities and facilities - all within a stone's throw."
Examples of family homes currently on the market in the Southern Suburbs include: a 3-bedroom Victorian cottage in the historic Chelsea Village in Wynberg Upper which is on the market for R4,95 million. "This is a unique home with its pink exterior and "filigree stoep", original wooden floors, shutters and sash windows, authentic fireplace, glass-stained doors, antique light fittings, original copper sink and taps, and black and white checkered tiled flooring."
Sticking with heritage homes, in the suburb of Claremont R7,95 million will buy you a large charming 4-bedroom Victorian house which boasts four fireplaces, high ceilings, beautiful woodwork, and large windows that flood the space with natural light. "Outside there is a pool, landscaped garden, and a student flatlet that can also be used as an incoming generating source," says Horne, who also highlights another property with stunning gardens - a gorgeous 4-bedroom home in Ravensburg Avenue in Newlands that is nestled in a natural organic garden that offers a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle - on the market for R6,9 million.
Staying in the Southern Suburbs, but more fitting for a young professional looking to get onto the property ladder, or perhaps for those looking to downsize, is a modern 2-bedroom apartment for sale in the heart of Rondebosch for R2.999 million, which is fully furnished and features granite kitchen counter tops, remodelled bathrooms, custom flooring and American shutters fitted throughout the unit, to name a few.
In a similar price bracket, starting from R2,995 million, are brand new family-orientated townhouses in Newlands within a secure plot-and-plan development called Villa Flora. The development will only feature 32 contemporary townhouses arranged in two rows along a central access lane.
"However, not everyone is looking to buy," says Odette Maartens, head of rentals for Dogon. "For those keen to rent in the Southern Suburbs some examples of current rentals include a spacious 2-bedroom luxury apartment in Kenilworth for R24 000 per month; a lavish 6-bedroom house to rent in Kenilworth Upper for R100 000 per month; and a modern 3-bedroom apartment in Bishopscourt for R50 000."
Another hugely popular area to live in within Cape Town is the Atlantic Seaboard, which enjoys a prime coastal location, easy access to the CBD, Table Mountain, some of the best beaches in the world, the V&A Waterfront - the list goes on!
"An example of what your money can buy, for those in the market for a family home in this area, includes a 2-bedroom cottage in the heart of Sea Point for R3,85 million. This quaint homehas loads of potential and room for expansion, with three dedicated off-street parking bays - a huge bonus and a possible income-producing asset," advises Horne.
"For those who prefer more modern houses, R5,95 million will buy you a contemporary 3-bedroom home in vibrant Oranjezicht, close to trendy restaurants, vibrant cafes, and peaceful parks. For R7,85 million, families can purchase a modern renovated 3-bedroom home in the highly desirable area of Fresnaye, with views of Lions Head, a beautiful garden and a tandem garage with a loft."
Staying in the Atlantic Seaboard but moving away from freestanding family homes, some examples of property for sale in the area include a 1-bedroom apartment in desirable Tamboerskloof with lovely mountain views from the balcony for R2,445 million; or a 1-bedroom luxury apartment in Sea Point, in the brand new Suro Sea Point aparthotel building, for R3,295 million. R4,575 million will buy a 2-bedroom apartment within this same building. A new townhouse development called Longmarket Mews in the charming Bo-Kaap, nestled up against Signal Hill, offers 2-bedroom units starting from R3,3 million.
Maartens offers some insights into rentals within the Atlantic Seaboard: "For R12 000 per month one can rent a studio apartment in Tamboerskloof. A large furnished 2-bedroom apartment in Green Point is currently available to rent for R45 000 per month, whilst a 2-bedroom apartment in Vredehoek is available for R20 000 per month, and for families who need the space, a 3-bedroom home in Tamboerskloof is available to rent for R95 000 per month.
"These are just a few examples of current prices being asked for homes and apartments within two of Cape Town's most desirable areas. Those who purchase well-considered property within the Southern Suburbs or the Atlantic Seaboard cannot go wrong, not only will you enjoy prime locations in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but you will also enjoy a return on your initial investment when the time comes to sell," concludes Horne.
Author: Property24
