The South African city where you can get a R30 million home for half the price

Golf estates are some of the most desirable properties in South Africa, and Centurion offers a number of luxury options for a fraction of the price compared to Cape Town.

While golfing is a major attraction for people buying in golf estates, Tiaan Pretorius, manager for Seeff Centurion, said that security, convenient leisure amenities and easy access to great schools are also major draws.

As such, people are willing to pay a premium for properties located in these estates.

For example, a 5-bedroom, 1,973 m² golf estate house for sale in Pearl Valley Golf and Country Estate is currently listed by Pam Golding for R45 million.

Another 4 bedroom, 935 m² house in Pinnacle Point Golf Estate is currently listed for R35 million.

In comparison, Centurion, which is centrally located between Johannesburg and Pretoria, offers a number of luxury golf estate homes for well under R10 million.

While golf estates make up only a percentage of the over 6,500 gated estates countrywide, they are regarded as great investments, Pretorius said.

Golf estate buyers and investors tend to be predominantly in the 35-65 age group.

According to a New World Wealth Report, the growth in estates is not confined to South Africa but a global wealth trend as high-net-worth (HNWI) buyers migrate increasingly to golf estates, especially.

“Aside from achieving some of the highest sales prices, golf estates offer good investment prospects as they are popular for rentals”, Pretorius added.

“Gauteng has the highest volume of golf estates, with a number of these located in Centurion, some of which have Gary Player, Ernie Els, and Peter Matkovitch courses.”

Aside from access to golfing and impeccable grounds, security, amenities, and a choice of luxury homes are part of the attraction.

“While golf estate homes generally come at a premium price, Centurion offers excellent value with most sales in the R3 million to R6 million range, and high-end homes in the R9 million to R18 million range.”

“There are also more affordable sectional title options in many of the estates.”

Centurion Golf Estate, with its Peter Matkovich golf course, clubhouse with a restaurant, tennis and squash, and beautiful parkland grounds, is a popular choice for luxury buyers.

“The estate is an excellent investment.”

It has achieved high sales volumes during the 2021-2023 boom period, with price growth of around 28% over five years.

It offers a choice of homes selling from R3.8 million, and excellent value luxury homes overlooking the golf course priced from R13.5 million for a 670m² home to R16 million for a 650sqm home with a flat.

Also on the upside for those looking for a solid property buy or investment is the Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate, which features a Gary Player golf course, a host of amenities, and luxury homes which have sold for up to R7 million.

Pretorius added that there are also sectional title options in the estate.

At the high-end buyers is the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, which also has a Gary Player golf course along with equestrian facilities and high-end homes, which sold for R7.5 million to R22.9 million last year.

Another top choice is the Copperleaf Golf Estate, which features an Ernie Els golf course and is located on his grandfather’s farm, which has spectacular views of the Magaliesberg Mountains. Houses here have sold for R5 million to R8 million last year.

Other popular estates with golfing include the Zwartkop Golf Estate, where houses have been sold for up to R6 million.

“Thatchfield and Midstream each offer a 9-hole course, and both are good investments,” Pretorius said.

Thatchfield has extras such as tennis, basketball, an all-purpose field, and communal braai areas. It is very affordable and popular with first-time buyers, with houses selling in the R2 million to R3 million price range.

Midstream is popular with families, offering great amenities such as sports clubs, parks, recreational areas, and shopping and schools on hand. It also includes more affordable sectional titles. Luxury homes have sold for up to R7 million last year.

Estates with access to the Irene Country and Golf Club include Southdowns, which offer a blend of rural and urban living and a working dairy farm.

Houses have sold for R3.5 million to R8 million. 10th Lane Estate also offers access to the Irene Golf Club. Houses have sold for up to R6 million.

“Aside from an exceptional lifestyle and access to world-class golfing, top-notch amenities and stunning views, golf estates have achieved good capital value growth over the last five years, especially during the 2021-2023 boom period,” Pretorius explained.