Durbanville, in general, has always been an excellent location to purchase property, as can be seen from the positive historic growth in property prices, and the demand that there always exists for property in Durbanville. All property professionals and estate agents will always agree that location is of utmost importance when considering to purchase a property.
Property professionals always emphasise that good location has a huge bearing on a property’s potential return on investment.
Location, of course, has several aspects that homebuyers should consider before they make a decision to purchase a property. Numerous factors can influence whether a particular location would be considered to be ‘good’ or ‘bad’. The more positive factors that a location has going for it, the better the potential resale value of the property will be in future over the long term. Most importantly it comes down to desirability and whether buyers would want to live where the home is situated. In other words, demand for a property in a specific location directly influences the price that can be achieved.
Buyers often focus only on the house itself and ignore its location, but this can definitely turn out to be costly in the long run if the property does not have a favourable location. Location should always be a top priority and rather compromise on the property if necessary, because it is impossible to change a property’s location, but the home can be renovated, improved and changed to meet the owner’s needs.
Good location is where there is the most potential for future growth. The area where the property is located must be able to support the demand for property over the long term and subsequently increase the value of the property in time. It is, however, also important to bear in mind that certain development can bring down the value of a property, such as the construction of a power plant or dump within proximity to the home. Buyers should find out about the future development plans of an area before making a decision to purchase a property. For example, new industrial sites, new railways or roads can vastly alter the property values in an area.
Corporate investment and commercial activity in an area is also a possible sign that an area has the potential for strong investment returns. Before a national retailer or property developer invests in an area, they will undertake thorough market research to determine the area’s potential. The presence of residential and commercial property development, along with long-established or well-known brands within the surrounds will indicate that there is a level of confidence that the area has good growth potential.
The infrastructure of an area will also have an influence on the value of the properties in the area. There needs to be provisions made to ensure that the infrastructure in an area can accommodate the level of service required by its residents. Areas that have poor service delivery are not a good option. It is quite easy to distinguish these areas based on the state of public space such as the parks, pavements and roads, and looking to see whether these are well maintained.
Access to quality amenities such as shops and medical facilities, entertainment areas, restaurants, public services and schools is also another factor to take note of when determining whether a property’s location is favourable. Convenience is a highly valued commodity that influence’s property values.
The crime levels in an area is another aspect that potential buyers should take consider. Houses in an area with a high crime rate will not hold their value over time. Potential buyers will be able to find out about the crime rate in an area by contacting the local residents association, speaking to potential neighbours or consulting with the security companies and police in the area. Visiting the area during different times of the day could also give an indication of either unpleasant or good conditions. Different times of the day could bring about a variety of factors to consider, such as how severe the traffic is during peak times or how lively and noisy the night life is.
Ease of access to transport routes can also have an impact on an area’s appreciation potential. Many people have to commute relatively far distances to where they work every day, which will push up demand for properties that offer easy access to major transport routes and modes of transportation. There is a fine balance to consider when selecting a property within proximity to major transport routes. It is important to be within range, however being too close could expose the property to a significant amount of noise and have a negative impact on the home’s value.
The idea of “location, location, location” was first used in the early 1900’s, and is as relevant now as it was then. While finding the right home in the right location will require time, effort and research, the future benefits of solid growth in the value of the property will certainly be worth the time and effort spent initially.
Property in Durbanville has always been in high demand, with excellent growth. It is clear to see that Durbanville as a location ticks all the necessary boxes of aspects that buyers are looking for when purchasing a property.
If you are thinking of buying or selling property in Durbanville, please contact us to find out why we are the Durbanville estate agents of choice for so many Durbanville residents.
Credit to REMAX of Southern Africa.