Holiday and retirement home buyers make their way to Hermanus

"Although still predominantly from Cape Town and inland areas of the province, we have seen a return of upcountry buyers and even a few Brits and Europeans looking to invest in homes here," says Reon van der Merwe, Seeff's principal for the greater Hermanus area.

The area stretches from Fisherhaven and Benguela Cove on the Botriver Estuary past the quaint villages of Vermont, Onrus and Sandbaai through to De Kelders, Gansbaai and Pearly Beach. Van der Merwe says it has been a busy few months for real estate agents in the village and he expects the trend to continue over the winter months. Especially, he adds, as we brace to receive thousands of whale watchers, many of whom are likely to take the opportunity to scout for property.

Since about late 2011, sales activity has improved steadily year-on-year, says van der Merwe. In the last year, for example, property transactions to the value of just over R1,1bn (1,227 transactions) have been recorded compared to about R700m (670 transactions) in the previous year. This is an improvement 57% in the Rand-value of sales and 83% in the number of transactions. For the first time in years, vacant plots are also starting to sell, a good indication that buyers are confident about investing here again, he adds.

What's the attraction?

Aside from the close proximity to Cape Town (just under two hour's drive), the area boasts excellent attractions. It ranks amongst the best land-based whale watching destinations in the world with stunning beaches and a smorgasbord of water and nature adventures. The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (along the picturesque R320) includes about fifteen wineries. The infrastructure is top class, from good schools and medical care (including a planned new hospital with an oncology centre) to big retail brands, boutiques and restaurants. It is a well-run municipality, clean, with low crime levels.

Van der Merwe says that the advantage of buying here right now is that you can get excellent value as prices, while stable, continue to trade at relatively flat levels. There is something to suit every buyer and budget, from vacant land to apartments, small cottages to beach homes, golf estate homes and luxury mansions.

Vacant plot prices start at R200,000 to R300,000, but can range upwards of R3m to R5,3m for a rare beach front plot. Homes in Hermanus range upwards of around R1,5m for a lock-up-and-go unit to around R3,7m for a luxurious home with stunning sea views in Voëlklip. In the Hemel en Aarde Estate, homes can range up to R18m for a one-of-a-kind architectural home while top-end homes can range up to R29m for an 11-bedroom home with sweeping sea views in Voëlklip. In the Fernkloof Golf Estate, homes start at about R3m and range up to R9m for a large, luxurious home that epitomises tranquil living.

Cottages in Gansbaai range upwards of R500,000 and R1m in Vermont and Onrus. Beach houses with sea views or close to the beach range upwards of around R3m to around R7m for a luxury beach house. Luxury cliff-side homes in De Kelders (Gansbaai) can range up to around R16,3m for an architectural home. For retirement buyers, there is the new Negester Lifestyle Village in Onrus that offers a choice of two and three bedroom homes, priced upwards of R2,2m.