There are endless real estate opportunities to be found on the KZN South Coast

“Real estate statistics for 2020 and 2021 leave no room for doubt: properties in various areas of South Africa's coast are soaring in popularity. The idea of moving to warmer climes, enjoying stunning sea views and making the most of a relaxed way of life has been transformed from a pipedream to a priority.” – Jawitz Properties

Where South Africa’s coastline was once reserved for holiday venues and second homes, there has been a massive spike in the number of people buying primary residential property by the sea. And with its subtropical climate, fantastic swimming beaches, laidback lifestyle, and cost-effective market, the KZN South Coast offers incredible opportunities for those looking to invest in real estate.

“We have noticed a significant rise in interest recently in the KZN South Coast real estate, and we feel that the time is right for people wanting an affordable investment that will only grow in value,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “From the coastal region through to the hinterland where our agricultural opportunities exist, there are endless real estate investment offerings across the entire sector. As SCTIE, we’re ready to pave the way for local and international investors who are interested in doing business on the KZN South Coast.”

The interest in sea-facing residential properties is evident from recent reports. In a May 2022 Businesstech article, Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property Group said there had been a rise in coastal sales from 15% to 18% between 2020 and 2021. Likewise, the January 2022 Jawitz Properties piece, Properties on South Africa's coast enjoy 'wave' of popularity, noted that the coastal market is more ‘robust’ than inland, with the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal ‘among the provinces that have enjoyed remarkable growth in the last two years.

Several Covid-19-related trends are driving investment in coastal real estate. Firstly, the ‘working from home’ trend whereby people are combining their residential and commercial activities for a live-work-play lifestyle. Children are accommodated in the green, open spaces and at the seaside, while parents enjoy working with a view. 

Secondly, there’s the popular ‘semigration’ trend, whereby people are wanting to enhance their lives and lifestyles by moving to a different area of the country. In this case, it’s the seaside. The digital revolution means there’s no physical need to be residing near commercial hubs, yet the KZN South Coast also allows for accessibility to such hubs via the N2, Margate Airport and Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.

Thirdly, the isolated living experience prompted a desire to live away from busy city centres. Eco-estate living is dramatically on the rise, with the KZN South Coast primed for such sustainable developments. From retirement villages to family homes, which allow for a relaxed lifestyle with the benefit of safety and security. And with family living comes the need for investment in schooling, from pre-school through to the tertiary sector – another area with great investment potential.

But it’s not just residential property that’s available. The KZN South Coast has the space and demand for more commercial offerings, from retail to office parks. And with the manufacturing industry on the rise, plus the potential for a Port Shepstone Harbour, industrial property is always a great investment.

A subtropical climate and nutrient-rich soil have seen the local agricultural sector explode, with demand for homegrown products across the globe. The potential agritourism offerings have already been demonstrated in SCTIE’s establishment of the Agri-CULTURE Tours earlier this year.

The rural land is also becoming unlocked in terms of its property development potential. The current trend has seen a shift from renting coastal properties to building homes in the more rural inland areas, with a number of key development nodes emerging in Amandawe and Umthwalume, among others.

“There are so many advantages to investing in property on the KZN South Coast, from the healthy lifestyles afforded residents to the incredible ROI for those interested in investing in the area,” continued Mangcu. “We feel that the time is right for a real estate boom here, where property prices are currently incredibly affordable. This might not be the case for much longer.”

SCTIE has partnered with Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to create the One-Stop Shop which unlocks investment opportunities for potential investors and businesses. To find out more about this and the KZN South Coast’s many investment opportunities, contact 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za. 

To access previous SCTIE press releases, visit https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/.