Some idea of just how strong the demand for housing, especially at the lower levels, has become in Milnerton Proper (the area between Boundary Road and Racecourse Road) can be gained from the fact that on a R1.85 million sale of a home that needed considerable attention - 28 enquiries were received within the first three hours of the property being listed, and no less than seven people made cash offers at the full asking price. The house was sold to the first viewer.
This home offers two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, reception room and secure parking. It is on the market for R599 000 – click here to view.

This is according to Dave Zieve, an agent for the Rawson Property Group, who says the type of buyers encountered in experiences of this sort are often a young couple who are prepared to carry out extensive renovations in the first five to six years of owning the home.

He says such buyers are now "thick on the ground" in Milnerton, and although demand in the top brackets is growing (he has homes listed at prices of R6.5 million), those hoping to buy below R3 million may have to exercise patience as stock is now seriously in short supply.

But what has caused this stock shortages in Milnerton? Zieve says in the last two years the residential property market has become continually more aware that, despite spectacular annual price rises in the region of approximately 15%, Milnerton still offers real value for money.

“Before I started working in Milnerton I was an agent on the Atlantic Seaboard, focusing primarily on Sea Point, Green Point and Mouille Point. Four years ago I could sell a single bedroom apartment there for R2 million.”
This house has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen with built-in cupboards, a lounge and parking for two cars. It is priced at R649 000 – click here to view.

However, in Milnerton, he says he can find a buyer with R2.8 million a beautiful well-maintained home, probably renovated at least once or twice in its history, ideally suited to family living.

“The value you get here for your rand is quite exceptional.”

Although the demand is high in the lower price brackets, Zieve says the same is not yet true in the higher ranges; it can take three to six months to sell a R4 million or R5 million home in Milnerton.

Nevertheless, he says there are unmistakable signs that the price level of offers is rising steadily month by month.

“In all my previous comments on property in this area, I have stressed this value for money factor. However, it has to be realised that the value is underpinned by facilities and amenities here which are also first class.”
This house offers two bedrooms, one bathroom, an open plan kitchen and lounge, and a single garage and carport. It is currently on the market for R621 000 – click here to view.

He says these include a convenient position in relation to the city, only 12km away, and it is equally convenient to the V and A Waterfront. Milnerton is even closer in proximity to Century City, with its many retail and entertainment facilities.

The suburb is positioned on the doorstep of Big Bay and its retail centre, Eden on the Bay. He says it is also positioned across the road to world-class golf courses, many kilometres of beach, much of it ideal for surfing and kite surfing, and two lagoons, one ideal for dinghy sailing and water skiing.

Lastly, Zieve says Milnerton offers a high standard of excellent local schools whose pupils achieve good academic results.

Zieve says these and other attractions of Milnerton will almost certainly ensure that its price boom does not taper off this year. As he sees it, 2015 will see average sale prices rising to close on R2.7 million and homes above R4 million will once again become the flavour of the month.

“It may take time to find a suitable property, but even with stock shortages I am still selling one to two houses per month. My advice to those attracted to Milnerton is to come and see us and to be patient while we find you a home you can afford.”

No buyer here will ever regret his decision to buy in the area, and can be assured that at the moment it is difficult to overcapitalise in this district, he says.

Zieve says keen buyers are advised to contact a good bond originator and find out exactly what level of bond they are likely to be given, and to hopefully get pre-approval to avoid disappointment and speed up the process.

This will enable the agent to look after them better and to save a great deal of time in showing them inappropriate properties, he says.