Historically, the Dolphin Coast, comprising the small coastal towns of Ballito, Salt Rock and Sheffield Beach (among others), was a popular getaway destination for Durban residents and inlanders alike looking for a few days off from big city life.

Nowadays, the North Coast is attracting more and more permanent residents, with the entrenchment of Umhlanga as the main CBD and the construction of King Shaka International Airport. This makes towns like Ballito the perfect balance between lifestyle offering and accessibility to the city and beyond.

A core attraction for North Coast residents are the lifestyle estates that are being developed to offer secure and accessible living. From one-bedroom apartments to family homes in the forest, there is something for everyone on the North Coast. The newly built homes coming onto the market offer attractive options for all – from first-time buyers looking to own their new homes, to novice and seasoned investors seeking to invest in the fastest growing residential node in South Africa.

With interest rates at a historical low, coupled with the “new normal” possibilities of remote work driving people from big city living, the North Coast property market is flourishing. In a 2020 poll by Private Property, the North Coast was touted as the next “big boom” location. The live poll was taken during a webinar led by an august panel of property experts. In total, 39% of respondents ranked the area as the next property hot spot in South Africa, with the Atlantic Seaboard coming in second at 27%.

Stats from Lightstone indicate that coastal house prices have been growing at a higher rate than non-coastal prices since 2014. In the first 10 months of 2020 the coastal market saw average house price inflation of 3.15%, while non-coastal properties averaged 2.59%. This bodes well for property investment in Ballito and surrounds.

Ballito provides endless possibilities for building a dream life for individuals and families alike, providing access to safe secure environments, nature on your doorstep as well as easy access to the main economic hubs of the country.

Ballito Village Lifestyle Estate is testament to the high demand and phenomenal growth in the area, selling over 130 apartments in just six months from launch in October 2020. Construction commenced in April 2021, and the developers are on track to start handing apartments over from mid 2022.

There are several attractive features to buying a new apartment off plan. The price you pay tends to include all of the normally hidden costs such as transfer costs (which should not be confused with transfer duty), bond costs and connection fees for water, electricity and other utilities. The amount of cash required to get into the market is also attractive. For instance, in developments like Ballito Village buyers are only required to put down a R20 000 deposit – and all kitchen appliances are included. So for a starter family or investor with a 100% loan, this may be all that is required.

All things considered, there has never been a better time to buy on the North Coast. Interest rates are at historic lows. The lifestyle offering in towns like Ballito continues to grow as new restaurants open, and beaches are upgraded by local communities. In addition, the value of property in the area is set to appreciate well above the national average in the next few years due to the limited supply and surging population growth.

Ballito Village offers nine different apartment types which are all pet friendly and come with three kitchen appliances. Most apartment types are available on the ground floor with private, fully landscaped and maintained gardens. Apartments start from R1,029,000 for a one-bedroom, R1,459,000 for a two-bedroom, and R1,849,000 for a three-bedroom.

Contact Andrea Santoriello on 060 048 0250 or email: andrea@arcis.co.za.

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