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Price your property well and you will not have to wait too long before it is sold, estate agents tell homeowners in Gezina. Demand in the area has remained relatively constant despite a tough real-estate market.
This is a good thing not only for property values, but also for rental investors, due to the assured and constant rental custom. Gezina is well situated within 3km of Pretoria Central and close to state institutions, shopping centres and other amenities including lots of good schools.
Gezina is close to the CBD. It offers easy access to shopping amenities and main routes, and is an area with many good schools. - Elize Brink, estate agent Century 21.
Picture: Supplied
“Gezina is close to the CBD. It offers easy access to shopping amenities and main routes. You don’t have to travel far to find what you are looking for,” says Elize Brink of property company Century 21. The suburb is thus a magnet for government employees working in Pretoria Central and other professionals employed at the many institutions in and around the area such as Steve Biko Academic Hospital and Tshwane District Hospital.
“Anyone who works in or close to the area will find it attractive to live here,” says Brink. “Gezina is in the Moot which has good schools such as Robert Hicks, Riviera Primary, Queenswood Christian School and Laerskool Eben Swemmer as well as Clapham High and Hoërskool Hendrik Verwoerd.
“The suburb is also ideally located for students at the University of Pretoria who may not want to live in Hatfield.” Proximity to Gautrain stations is another convenience, says Brink. The combination of schools, professionals and nearness to work centres augurs well for real estate and explains Gezina’s resilience.
Brink says the property market has mostly been active. “The apartments here are affordable and we have seen a spike in sales of apartment priced between R400 000 and R800 000 with quite a few under R400 000 also being sold,” she says.
The same can be said of freeholds: “The value of the freehold properties has increased by R80 000 a year for the past three years so the homes do appreciate, especially with so many owners renovating their properties.”
Homes in this neighbourhood are also amply sized, a fact not lost on homebuyers.
“The houses and apartments might be older but that means bigger gardens for standalone homes and bigger rooms. In residential blocks you get bigger apartments,” says Brink.
She reckons the primer properties are to be found to the east of Johan Heyns Drive.
Gezina’s properties are older, which means homes and gardens are spacious. Picture: John Makoni
“People do not seem to care for the noise or the traffic coming from the main roads,” she says, adding that a lot of businesses in Johan Heyns Drive towards the city are being revamped.
Renovation opportunities with older properties do exist and Brink advises potential buyers to work with an agent who can pre-qualify them so they can maximise their bargaining power.
Prices here compare well with those for Wonderboom South and Rietfontein, although the latter two are slightly costlier.
Gezina was established in 1903 and named after the second wife of the then Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek president, Paul Kruger.
Rina van Tonder’s favourite places and things to do
Gezina is such a lovely area I wouldn’t think of moving, and I work in the suburb too. Everything works well. There are lots of amenities nearby including shops and shopping centres, the most convenient for us being Gezina Galleries Shopping Mall. There’s also the Pavilion in Rietfontein. The numerous main routes also make it quite easy to get around. - Resident Rina van Tonder
Picture: Supplied
1 1892 Sinkhuis Restaurant
This is a great spot serving steaks, pizzas and a variety of other dishes. 59 Lys and Parker Street, Rietfontein. 012 329 0762
2 Die Wit Huis
They have sizeable burgers and items are affordable. The service is excellent. Ben Swart Street and 10th Ave, Gezina. 012 335 1601
3 Brewers BBQ
Top place for breakfast, and competitively priced. 23 Rietfontein Pavilion Centre, Frates Rd. 012 329 9712
Die Wit Huis in Ben Swart Street has reasonably priced fare. Picture: John Makoni
4 Toni’s Pizza
They serve great pizzas and pastas plus lots more in a pleasant, exciting atmosphere. 676 Chamberlain Street. 012 328 9000
5 Union Buildings
They have large lawns for a picnic and the views are awesome. Government Avenue. 012 300 5200
6 National Zoological Gardens
There are amazing species to be seen. Recommended for family outings. 232 Boom Street, Pretoria. 012 339 2700