Garden Route Draws Buyers Beyond Holiday Homes
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The Garden Route's coastal towns are increasingly attracting permanent residents and relocating buyers rather than only holiday-home purchasers, with distinct property markets and price points across Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay and George.
The Garden Route's golf courses, restaurants and expanding residential developments are drawing relocators from across South Africa and international buyers seeking a lifestyle change, with the region's coastal towns each offering distinct lifestyles, property choices and price points.
Gordon Shutte, area principal for Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, said Knysna has noticeably become a place to live rather than simply a holiday destination. He cited Thesen Island, where about 80% of properties were holiday homes when the development began around 25 years ago and where significantly more owners now reside permanently, adding that factors such as healthcare, retirement facilities and proximity to amenities are becoming more important for some purchasers.
Residential property in Knysna ranges from just under R1 million for vacant land to around R1.2 million to R4 million and upwards for sectional-title apartments, while freehold homes are mainly priced in the R2.3 million to R8 million bracket. In Plettenberg Bay, around 800 residential units are in various stages of development, from undeveloped land to nearly completed properties, with the town selling around 500 units a year.
In Plettenberg Bay, vacant plots generally range from about R1.3 million to R4 million, sectional-title units start at just over R1 million for studio and one-bedroom units and rise to around R5 million for three-bedroom units, while luxury apartments range from R5 million to R18.5 million and above and luxury residences reach up to R42 million. In Mossel Bay, area manager Stephen Murray said new freehold homes currently range from approximately R3.2 million to R35 million depending on size, location and specification, while retirement properties typically start at around R2.995 million and luxury new apartments are priced from around R2.995 million to R4.75 million.
George, the region's established commercial and services hub, offers freehold homes from around R2.5 million, sectional-title apartments from about R1.5 million to R6 million and established three- to four-bedroom homes up to R10 million. At the higher end, luxury homes in Kingswood Golf Estate and Herolds Bay sell for above R10 million, while properties in Fancourt can achieve upwards of R50 million. A recent R31 million transaction concluded by Pam Golding Properties in Oubaai was cited as highlighting the strength of demand at the upper end of the market.