Offering additional security features and often fostering a deeper sense of community, estate living is becoming increasingly popular. However, most estates make it increasingly difficult (if not impossible) for homeowners to keep pets. Buyers who want to purchase within estates are therefore advised to tailor their search to include suburbs that offer known pet-friendly options.
To help buyers in their search, representatives from RE/MAX of Southern Africa share their tips on where to find pet-friendly estates within their suburbs:
Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth
“The beachfront suburb of Summerstrand in Port Elizabeth is a particularly pet-friendly area that offers beautiful beaches. Most residents take full advantage of these beaches by being active and taking their dogs out for walks. There are even several retirement villages in these areas that allow for pets. For example, the Echo Foundation retirement villages in PE – of which there are ten – often allow for a pet on application. Unfortunately, no cats are allowed,” clarifies a representative of RE/MAX Independent.
View properties available in Summerstrand here
Dolphin Coast, Kwazulu-Natal
“The suburbs along the Dolphin Coast boast beautiful pet-friendly parks as well as beaches and the promenade, where lots of our furry friends like to play and walk. As far as estates go, Simbithi Eco Estate, Brettenwood Coastal Estate, and Dunkirk Estate are pet-friendly (with certain rules applicable). Within Simbithi and Brettenwood, Savanna and Forest Village are active over 50’s sectional title developments that allow for pets,” says Kim Peacock, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Dolphin Realtors.
View homes available in the Dolphin Coast here
Richards Bay, Kwazulu-Natal
“Arboretum, Meerensee, Birdswood, and Veldenvlei are a few of the pet-friendly suburbs in Richard’s Bay. These suburbs typically offer simplexes with their own garden units within a small gated community, and homeowners may place a special request with the trustees to own pets. Some simplexes even automatically allow for two small pets per unit without needing permission from the trustees on condition that their pets do not roam around in the complex,” explains a representative at the RE/MAX Marine office.
View homes for sale in Richards Bay here
Durbanville, Western Cape
“Most areas in the Durbanville are pet friendly; but, Body Corporates are becoming stricter about keeping pets in complexes. Some complexes do not allow any pets at all while some allow pets to a specific height. Landlords, especially in complexes, often prefer not to have pets on their property, but sometimes a small cat or one dog would be allowed. However, some of the complexes, such as Avalon Estate and Graanendal, have common ground areas with walkways where people may walk their dogs,” says a representative of RE/MAX Property Centre in Durbanville.
View homes for sale in Durbanville here
Fourways, Gauteng
“Fourways and Lonehill are particularly pet-friendly suburbs with great parks that cater for dogs. If you’re not looking for a freestanding property, then Fourways Estate and Fourways Country Gardens in Craigavon are great pet-friendly complexes because:
(1) they do not have a size restriction and allow big dogs (which many complexes don't);
(2) they have big gardens that are walled; and
(3) Fourways Estate has a park and running track within the estate which is great for walking dogs,” explains a representative of RE/MAX One Hundred.
View homes for sale in Fourways here
“Wherever you are searching, it is advisable to let your real estate professional know that pet-friendliness is a non-negotiable search criteria so that you don’t end up wasting your own time looking at properties you would never want to own,” concludes Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.
