Langebaan is the picturesque coastal lagoon village located approximately one and a half hours drive from Cape Town along the R27.
En route to its larger port neighbor Saldanha Bay, it is renown for offering a world class lifestyle to unpretentious and hospitable residents, and has become sought after as a holiday home destination and playground for water sport enthusiasts. As a result of its close proximity to the city, the West Coast National Park, and several spectacular mountain ranges such as the Cedarberg, this village attracts property buyers in the R1 million and upward price range.
Langebaan falls under the jurisdiction of the Saldanha Bay Municipality, and enjoys extensive protection of the pristine natural habitat, much of which are nature reserves and protected fishing areas. Other popular areas in this region are located in the Swartland region along the N27 that runs parallel to the N7 from where other small villages such as Clanwilliam, Citrusdal and Darling.
The different types of properties found here range from private estates including Langebaan Country and Golf Estate, The Cove and Calypso Beach, freehold, to retirement accommodation and sectional share that has recently shown remarkable growth. The market stock of properties here reflect a 23% sectional share holding and the balance freehold. While average freehold property prices have declined from its highest of R1.4 million in 2007 to R1.1 in the first quarter of 2011, average sectional share prices are at R885 000 – the highest since fetching only R324 000 on average in 2004.
The duration of residents’ stays vary from 38% of residents living there for 11 years or more, yet 51% - of recent property sellers stayed for less than five years, possibly indicating the effects of the global economic downturn on holiday home ownership. The high caliber of coastal homes is clearly reflected in last years sales figures showing a total number of 304 Langebaan property sales. Of these 63 properties were priced on average at R1.1 million, 25 at R1.9 million, and four properties were sold for R4.02 million.
Property agents say Langebaan Country and Golf Estate is currently the hotpot of bargains where as a result of distressed sales vacant plots are going for a steal, ranging between 700m2 to 900 m2 and are up for grabs for anything between R250 000 upward. Industry professionals say the town is anticipating further property growth should proposals for major industrial and commercial investments materialize, that if successful could lead to housing facilities for over 2 000 people. Ongoing feasibility studies for the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone holds promise of a positive longterm impact on the surrounding West Coast residential areas.
Langebaan also provides assisted living housing for its senior citizens at the Gerimed Langebaan Retirement Village. The latest addition in this property sector , is La Pinta Lifestyle Village that has partnered with Rawson Properties to offer longtime residents of this town the opportunity of stylish downscaling without leaving their local community.
For families there are a number of private and state schools available, as well as several private facilities for tutoring and extra curricular activities. Catering for the leisure market is the picturesque yacht club, Country Club, campsites and skills training facilities for sailing, yachting, kitesurfing, and diving.
