Howick Residential Property | Howick Estate Agents

Howick at a glance

KZN’s Midlands, a quiet retreat close to the city buzz, is a popular place to live

The country lifestyle of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands with its convenient access to major cities remains a sought after area. Recently there has been an up-tick in interest in country smallholdings and farms in the Nottingham Road area, while demand for retirement accommodation in secure developments in Howick continues apace, according to the Wakefields Real Estate Howick branch.

The Midlands which stretches from Hilton to the foot of the Drakensberg is home to some of South Africa's top and well respected and prestigious private schools such as Cowan House, Clifton Preparatory School, Treverton Preparatory School and College, Michaelhouse, Hilton College, and St. Anne's Diocesan College.

These private schools are an important driver of the Midlands property market, and particularly that of Nottingham Road. This is a convenient location (with Johannesburg about a 4,5 hour drive away and Pietermaritzburg about 40 minutes away and Durban 1,5 hours away) for second home buyers from Gauteng and elsewhere who have children attending the areas’ private schools. It enables them to visit their children regularly while, over the years, benefitting from the appreciation in value.

Lifestyle country properties which vary from five hectares to 20 hectares are often bought for hobby farming and prices range from R2,5 million to R18 million, while popular gated estates are priced from R2.5 million

This week, the Wakefields Howick branch listed a well  looked after and cherished genuine Victorian Midlands home that is partly constructed of iron brought from Britain in the 1900’s, that was the original homestead on St Ives farm, it was dismantled and lovingly rebuilt in its present picturesque setting . The property is 20 hectares and has a beautiful English country garden in the Caversham area, which is often the setting for Brides to be photographed. The home also boasts beautifully kept Oregon pine floors, doors and windows and a large country kitchen with an original Aga stove. All of this for only R4,25 million.

Another important driver of the Midlands property market is that of retirees, mainly from Durban and Gauteng, who are downscaling and to a large extent joining friends who have already settled in Howick’s various retirement villages. This circle of companionship is a big attraction in addition to the cooler climate, cheaper living costs, good medical facilities and convenient positioning close to the Midlands Meander, Drakensberg, Pietermaritzburg and Durban for activities.
Looking at gated estates, asking prices in retirement villages vary from R750 000 to R 3,5 mil depending on the unit. At Eagle Ridge Estate, which is popular among the young and older generations, is priced from R750 000, while the relatively new family oriented Protea Gardens is priced from R795 000.
In suburbs of Howick, prices range from R750 000 to R2.5mil and, with a waiting list of qualified buyers, well-priced property sells quickly.

The KwaZulu-Natal midlands can be hot and wet in summer, with average temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, while winters are cool and dry, sometimes with snow and frost, with average temperatures of around six degrees Celsius.

It is home to the Midlands Meander tourism routes that include accommodation, art and crafts, leisure, activities and restaurant stops, as well as a host of sporting activities from sailing at the Midmar Dam to trout fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, hiking in the Drakensberg, visiting historical sites and more.

For more information on properties in the Howick and Midlands area visit the Wakefields new website www.wakefields.co.za or call the Howick Branch on 033 330 6004 or Nottingham Road Branch on 033 266 6019.