Find out about the Hout Bay area from local property experts.
What attracts buyers to the area?
Hout Bay truly caters for a plethora of lifestyle tastes. When you think Hout Bay, think exciting and laid-back, a lot of flavour and a touch of rural. Breathtaking scenery, sea, surf, rivers and mountains, good soil and temperate climates. Fine dining and wining, fishing on the rocks, night-time BMXing, township dance and home-grown music projects with reach as far as New York. According to the latest stats, Hout Bay is safer than its neighbouring suburbs thanks to local security firms and community initiatives such as Community Crime Prevention, and buyers have smartened up to just how undervalued Hout Bay is compared to its immediate neighbours.
Shaun Kramer: Property consultant, Lola Kramer
What types of homes are available and what can buyers expect to pay?
Hout Bay is a unique suburb with residents having a strong community spirit and the village atmosphere attracting local and international residents. It offers accommodation to meet all requirements, with apartments selling from R1,2m, residential homes from R2m, estate living from R5m and country estates from around R8m upwards. Prospective buyers are sure to find a home that meets their needs. Hout Bay is extremely attractive to young families due to the excellent pre-primary and primary schools and the relaxed family-orientated lifestyle. There are several security estates which are extremely popular and offer secure and easy living for families.
Cheri Labuschagne: Property consultant, Rawson Properties
How has the area changed over the past five years?
Hout Bay was once a sleepy harbour village but today is an incredibly vibrant place to live with the most beautiful surroundings, mountain views and walks, sea vistas and a lovely beach and harbour. It has grown immeasurably over the last few years, appealing to all age groups from young couples with children, older families, retired couples and holiday home owners. Today Hout Bay offers a diverse range of homes from sea-facing villas and apartments, to security estates and large smallholdings in the valley. The infrastructure is fabulous with a variety of schools including the newly built Hout Bay International School, supermarkets, all major banks, independent retailers and restaurants.
Margie Mackenzie & Clare Putsman: Directors, Cape Waterfront Estates
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
