This coastal suburb that exudes a jovial holiday atmosphere and spectacular five kilometers of beach overlooking False Bay and the Hottentots Holland mountains, forms part of the Helderberg basin between Somerset West and Gordons Bay.
Classified as a white-only resort in the 70’s, the Strand has retained part of its original character of a fishing and holiday resort, despite non-white families being evicted and resettled on the outskirts of the city. While many erstwhile residents did not retain their family heritage nor homes, the Mosque built by the Cape Malay people of a bygone era still stands today.
Property agents say the profiles of residents who own estate properties and freestanding houses as well as tenants of the large number of high rising apartment buildings within walking distance of the beach, represents that of outdoor enthusiasts from upcountry and abroad. Strand has been incorporated into the greater city of Cape Town Municipality, and has a 50 000 strong population who reside in Strand Central, Strand North and South, as well as the beachfront.
Although the village atmosphere resembles that of a typical coastal holiday town where buy to let investors provide an abundance of holiday accommodation for seasonal purposes, the Strand is also popular with young families who enter into long term rentals before becoming first time homeowners. Strand caters for school going children who can attend a number of local primary schools and high schools in closeby suburban locations, and also where safe swimming can be enjoyed.
For those investors and visitors to the Strand who are keen golfers, the town features an 18 hole golf course, one of only three seaside golf courses in Cape Town, as well as the nine hole golf course at Greenways Golf Estate at East end of town. In 2007 the Strand Golf Club, also known for its excellent putting surfaces, was awarded the Complete Golfer Most Improved Course in the Cape that underwent a transformation in 1994 when two thousand five hundred trees were planted there. Golfing residents in the Strand can access other Boland courses including the Stellenbosch Municipal and De Zalze Estate courses, as well as Boschenmeer and Errinvale in Paarl for international events.
The Strand has a sectional share market stock of 27 percent, and as a result offers both long and short term leases in coastal apartment buildings. Prospective tenants have a variety of choices available in both older and newly built apartment blocks along Beach Road, but agents are increasingly seeing a difference between asking and obtainable rental prices, as well as longer turn around periods. Head of Rentals at Rawson Properties Strand, Lizette Keizer says the most popular in demand are two bedroom units along Beach Road, and that additional features such as a local gymnasiums, parking facilities or extra living rooms is often what swings new contracts in a shorter time. Keizer says the expectations of landlords for rentals exceeding R11 000 for three bedroom luxury apartments measuring between 100 and 150m2 are not easily met, due to high levels of stock allowing time to compare facilities and negotiate rentals.
Average prices of sectional share properties in the Strand peaked at R971 000 during the property boom in 2007 and are currently standing at R756 000. Lightstone shows average freehold property prices in 2010 to have reached its highest peak of R1.3 million in Strand Central.