Once considered something of a country outpost, Constantia Kloof on the West Rand has become a highly sought-after suburb in recent years thanks to a combination of factors and events. So says Verna Herbst of Verna Herbst Properties which services the area. A fairly diminutive suburb, Constantia Kloof lies just south of Allen’s Nek in an indentation of Constantia Ridge, Roodepoort bordered by Strubens Valley, Weltevreden Park and Helderkruin.
In recent years the West Rand has undergone significant development and today the area spanning from Hendrik Potgieter Road to the intersection with Paardekraal Road which leads to the Magaliesberg bristles with townhouse complexes. Commercial development has also been swift, examples of which are Clearwater Mall, Silverstar Casino and the Constantia Office Park which has grown to include a wide variety of work and lifestyle amenities.
Despite all the development, Constantia Kloof has managed to maintain its tranquil ambience, which, coupled with its new found close proximity to all of Roodepoort’s attractions has placed it firmly on the map of many aspirant buyers says Herbst.
“The fact that Constantia Kloof offers upmarket, family size homes within a boom controlled zone also works strongly in its favour,” notes Herbst. “Typically, Constantia Kloof’s freehold homes feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a double garage and pool all of which sit astride land parcels measuring 1, 500sqm’s. Some of the properties situated along Constantia Drive and Panorama Road enjoy particularly beautiful views over the Johannesburg skyline.”
Constantia Kloof also offers an abundant variety of Sectional Title properties. Indeed, according to the latest Lightstone report on the area, these types of properties account for just over 44% of Constantia Kloof’s property market, many of which offer great value for money remarks Herbst. Other factors working in Constantia Kloof’s favour include the fact that it lies within close reach of a number of good schools such as Constantia Kloof Primary and Northcliff High. The Kloofendal Nature Reserve and Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens are also a stone’s throw away.
While the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens are well known, Kloofendal is less so. Kloofendal features an abundance of fauna and flora as well as a number of walking trails, a small dam and bird hide. Although easily accessible, Kloofendal has been somewhat overshadowed by the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens which is good news for those who prefer a quieter liaison with nature.
Yet for all these plus points Constantia Kloof is battling somewhat in terms of weathering the recessionary storm says Herbst. Property values in the area have dropped slightly from last year as Lightstone statistics will attest. In 2010, the average freehold Constantia Kloof home sold for R1,766m and Sectional Title properties were moving at around R779 000. In 2011, these averages decreased to R1, 632m and R691 000 respectively. Notably, Sectional Title properties are currently outselling freehold properties at 30 to 25 and Herbst says that properties priced at over R2m tend are moving slowly if at all.
Given this state of affairs, Herbst says many Constantia Kloof residents are opting to wait out the storm and have taken to refurbishing and upgrading their existing properties as opposed to selling them which will in all likelihood only add to their value come an upswing. An increasing number of properties are also being made available to rent with townhouses leasing for R4000pm on average and houses leasing at between R6000 and R8000pm.
