Reminiscent of the picturesque English countryside yet with a far more appealing climate, the lush KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is -popular among home buyers, says Barbara Becker, Pam Golding Properties area principal for Pietermaritzburg, Hilton, Howick and Nottingham Road.

“With an increasing number of visitors attending show days there is a discernable change from the previous air of caution towards buyers ready to commit, with well-priced homes moving in a shorter period of time. However, buyers remain selective in their choice of properties. Good sized family homes priced from R800 000 to R1.3 million are most in demand as parents place a higher priority on living as close as possible to schools rather than the workplace,” says Becker.

She says with its private schools, accessibility from Johannesburg in four-and-a-half hours and just an hour-and-a-half from Durban, the security and country lifestyle offered by the KZN Midlands appeals to buyers – particularly as prices have stood their ground and retained value through the economic downturn.

“We are finding that the cheaper properties are attracting interest at the moment, and there is increased activity in the under R2 million price range for vacant land, residential properties and smallholdings. Over the past year there have been more sales of farms priced from R6-R60 million - as land is the investment of choice in times of economic uncertainty. Most interest has been in beef and dairy farms, with some interest shown in timber farms.”

A springboard for the popular Midlands Meander, and only 10-15 minutes from Pietermaritzburg and close to Midlands Mall, Hilton is a tranquil refuge for residents of all ages with its crisp, fresh air and country atmosphere. Parents of pupils attending the four top private schools in the area boost local property sales by investing in second homes. Evidence of increased local investment is the doubling in size of the landmark Hilton (Protea) Hotel with its attractive Tudor facade and string of local and overseas musicians who either perform or frequent the local watering hole, Crossways. Homes in Hilton range in price from R950 000 to R5 million for freehold homes, and those in estates are priced between R2.5- and R5.5 million.

Slightly further inland Howick offers home buyers good value for money with three bedroom, two bathroom homes for under R800 000 and those with four bedrooms and three bathrooms and swimming pool for about R1.35 million, with vacant land in gated estates priced from R200 000. Howick, with a new private hospital, is within 15-20 minutes commuting distance of Pietermaritzburg, making it easily accessible for those working in the province’s capital city.

Becker says: “Gated estates – whether golf, game or simply residential – remain popular in the Midlands for their secure and appealing lifestyle. In recent years the Midlands and especially Nottingham Road has experienced unprecedented growth with the development of Gowrie Village and Gowrie Farm, providing buyers with excellent returns on investment.

“In Gowrie Village stands are priced from R300 000 to R750 000 and houses from R2.3-R4.3 million, and at Gowrie Farm sites are priced from R850 000 upwards and there are only two houses for sale there at present priced at R5 million and R5.4 million.

“Other developments such as Siteka Country Estate and Eaglecrest Wildlife Estate have held their appeal for upmarket buyers. We have a number of homes available in these developments, ranging in price from R2.3-R7 million. All 15 sites at Siteka have been sold, with three houses available priced from R5.3-R6.975 million.

“This estate is set on 162ha and includes two dams and a runway. At the 75ha Eaglecrest Wildlife Estate 30 of the 38 sites are sold, with re-sales available. Sites are priced from R500 000 to R1.3 million and the only available house is listed at R3.4 million. Residents on this estate have traversing rights over a further 1200ha of game farm.”

At Victoria Country Club Estate in Pietermaritzburg vacant stands are available from under R400 000 and a few homes, priced between R2.5- and R4 million. And at the 280ha Intaba Ridge development, also in the capital, in the first phase of 100 stands plots priced from R315 000 and homes from R1.289 million are available for a limited period only. At the 220ha KwaWula Estate near Howick homes still available range in price from R2.5- to R5.5 million.

Adds Becker: “We are looking forward to the imminent construction of Spring Grove Dam in Rosetta, just an hour from Pietermaritzburg, and the positive impact this will have on the area and the property market by attracting more people. This is because this new holding dam for Durban, will allow leisure activities.

“There is room for further development in the Midlands, however being an agricultural area local government is selective about these as well as subdivisions.”

PGP’s Nottingham Road office is marketing The Lodge @ Currys Post, which is being sold as a going concern for R8.5 million.

Just 30 minutes from the Midlands Mall in Pietermaritzburg this popular establishment on 40ha in an elevated position has spectacular views of the Karkloof Mountains and valley. It includes a furnished and upgraded main lodge with 10 en suite bedrooms, old English pub, swimming pool, conference room, bowling green/croquet lawn, lawn tennis court, double-storey three bedroom cottage with potential for a wellness spa, four bedroom double-storey thatched home, two bedroom manager’s cottage, several outbuildings including stables, helipad, landing strip and aeroplane hangar.

Call 033 3428108 or email barbara.becker@pamgolding.co.za.