The northern Johannesburg suburb of Douglasdale is often confused as being a part of the neighbouring suburb of Fourways, however it is actually wedged between the suburbs of Fourways and Bryanston.
Built upon the Douglasdale farm, which was first established in 1905 by Scotsman Thomas Douglas and his wife Janet Alexander, Douglasdale has developed over the years from a rural dairy farm into a popular residential node. However it is still well known for its milk and today the Douglasdale Dairy services most of the greater Gauteng region including distribution as far as the North West Province and Mpumalanga and accounts for around 1.5% of the country’s total dairy production.
As a fairly established suburb, property in Douglasdale comprises a mix of old and new sectional title developments as well as some older, larger family homes.
The access to a range of amenities from shops, gyms and restaurants to schools and medical facilities is what has contributed to the high demand for property in this area. “In fact,” says Russel Peach, Renprop Residential Projects Sales Manager, “Due to its ideal placement Douglasdale is now regarded as a hot investment node. Homes within Douglasdale do not usually remain on the market for long and sectional title properties are in particularly high demand, especially among those looking to rent.”
He says that buy-to-live purchasers are attracted to the area due to its excellent positioning proximate to a range of amenities and entertainment centres such as Monte Casino, as well as easy access to major highways and byways along with the business nodes within the northern Johannesburg area. Investors with buy-to-let portfolios are attracted to the area as there is an exceptionally high demand for rental units.
Chris Renecle, MD of Renprop points out that from an investment perspective; those who invest in rental property portfolios despite having to put down equity are enjoying solid returns due to the increase in demand for rental units in this area. “Demand is being driven by a lack of 100% bonds and the fact that there is a lag in supply stemming from the drop off in building of new developments post recession.”
Douglasdale however, is home to a number of new developments aiming to cater to demand for sectional title properties within the area.
Douglasgate, one of the new residential developments in the Douglasdale area, is launching Phase 4 on the back of the sell-out success of Phases 1 and 2, which are already completed. Comprising 232 units in total over approximately 25 blocks of three stories each, this traditional townhouse development has just 60 units still available between Phase 3, which is currently under construction, and the soon to launch Phase 4.
Designed for modern living with low-maintenance features and open plan living, buyers have a choice of one-bedroom, one-bathroom; two-bedroom, one bathroom and two-bedroom, two-bathroom units ranging in size from 50m2 to 120m2. All units have either a balcony or small garden as well as covered and open parking bays. Provision has also been made for visitors parking.
Communal facilities at Douglasgate include a swimming pool, clubhouse and tennis court, which are already built and in operation.
“Security is top of mind for most buyers in today’s market, and those looking to purchase in the Douglasdale area are particularly cognisant of security measures. Douglasgate has 24-hour security including a walled perimeter with electric fence and a manned gatehouse/access control,” says Peach.
Perhaps the most attractive feature of this development is its pricing. Peach says that units sell between R700 000 and R1,4million, making it the most competitively priced development in the area. He says a two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit in this development is typically priced at around R850 000 while the two-bedroom, two-bathroom units start at around R1 050million.
“Fair-market value, ideal positioning and growing demand for property in the area will assist property investors to see healthy returns over the long term. When it comes to purchasing property, location is a key element to consider, and fewer suburbs are in a more prime positon than Douglasdale,” Peach concludes.
Douglasdale
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