Morningside Manor makes perfect sense when it comes to investing in property, being well-situated and affordable.
This is the opinion of Jadvyga Kazlauskiene of Re/Max One, who has been watching trends in this suburb in Sandton for quite some time. “It is more affordable than Morningside proper, Hyde Park and Illovo, making it suitable for first-time buyers and younger people,” she says.
“Morningside is close to the Gautrain, good schools, good shopping centres and the Sandton CBD. It’s also green, clean and quiet.” Younger buyers seem to be flocking to Morningside Manor in droves, if statistics from property data company Lightstone are anything to go by.
They show the youth demographic, aged between 18 and 35 years, was the biggest property-purchasing block in the suburb, at 46%, for the year-ending January 2019. Over the same period, no people in the same demographic sold their properties.
Morningside is well-situated. It’s close to the Gautrain, good schools, good shopping centres and the Sandton CBD. - Jadvyga Kazlauskiene, sales associate, Re/Max One
Picture: Supplied
This contrasts sharply with owners aged between 36 and 49, who at 52% were the biggest age category to dispose of their properties. Furthermore, there are indications that Morningside’s central position augurs well for longer ownership periods.
For example, pensioners, at 33%, comprised the biggest selling category for the year ending January 2019, a probable sign that buyers mostly come to stay and usually leave when they have to downsize.
Although the median for a freehold in Morningside Manor is close to R3.5 million, a free-standing property on half an acre would probably cost between R2.5m and R5m, according to Kazlauskiene.
She adds a four-bedroom, renovated property with pressed ceilings, a nice garden and nice finishes, could sell in the region of R5m. Most of the current movement is centred on properties priced between R1.5m and R2.5m and in some instances, homes priced up to R3m, says Kazlauskiene.
“This is a good time to buy as it is a buyer’s market. The market is slow and there are more properties on offer. You can get a good bargain.”
Kazlauskiene says one would expect property owners in Morningside Manor to hold on to their properties, hoping to sell only when the trend begins to reflect market-related conditions.
As happens in most areas, owners are likely to put their homes on the market for any number of reasons, including divorce, and there is always a huge range of stock to choose from, says Kazlauskiene. Some of the free-standing properties in the suburb are on stands measuring 2000m².
There are only a handful of sectional titles in the area, and Kazlauskiene says one could expect units measuring from 100m² to 120 m² in size.
Bernadette Phillips’s favourite places and things to do
Morningside Manor is easily accessible from a lot of places in and around central Sandton. We are close to two Gautrain stations and to the N1 and M1. I do a lot of personal service delivery work in the area to make it a cleaner place. As citizens, we have a duty to work together to make it a safe place. - Bernadette Phillips, resident
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1 Ernest Ullmann Park
The recreation centre hosts private classes from dancing to pot-making. The Sandspruit River runs through the park so it is lovely to walk your dog here.
2 The Wedge Shopping Centre
Newly renovated with Woolworths, Clicks, Spar, a gym, a pet store and good fast food places with free covered parking. Rivonia Road, Morningside. 0112862600
3 Jozi Gin Eatery
Lovely place to eat and have drinks. They have a gin bar and a cosy, but professional atmosphere and service. 261 Rivonia Road, The Wedge Shopping Centre, Morningside. 0103005979
Jozi Gin Eatery is a popular hangout. Picture: Supplied
4 Morningside Shopping Centre
It’s an easily accessible centre with a wide variety of shops and very good restaurants. There are clothing boutiques, grocery stores and a bookshop for browsing. Corner Rivonia and Outspan roads, Morningside. 0879446244
5 Pomodoro Ristorante
Great dinner venue. Morningside Shopping Centre, Rivonia Road, Morningside. 0118831854
6 Signature Restaurant
Eclectic fine dining. Morningside Shopping Centre, Rivonia Road, Morningside. 0879403880