Homes below R800 000 typically have a bond below R8 000 a month and levies and rates of under R1 500. But finding a starter home with ample space and privacy for your family is the challenge.
It’s not impossible, though.
These are the seven suburbs where your money will go further. One, surprisingly, is a 10-minute drive from Sandton.
3-Bedroom Gauteng Homes Under R750 000
Gauteng has the largest concentration of 3-bedroom homes under R750 000. A cursory search on Property24 yields 5 400 results. Many of these results won’t suit working professionals and young families who enjoy proximity and access above value. But these suburbs are different.
Highlands North, Johannesburg
Waverley, Savoy Estate, Hawkins Estate, and Fairmount border Highlands North. The suburb is the definition of access without the hefty price tag. Residents enjoy proximity to malls and several prestigious schools. An 11-minute drive puts you in the heart of Rosebank. A 10-minute drive, and you’re in Sandton.
You can buy a 3-bedroom flat or townhouse in the suburb for R740 000.
Watch out for the declining average sales price in the suburb when making an offer.
Noycedale, Nigel
On the East Rand, buyers can find the quiet Noycedale.
Homes in the area list for closer to R1 million. However, the suburb’s average selling price is 15% lower, coming in at R727 000.
For this price, you can afford the roughly R6 500 bond and R800 rates on a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 700-square-metre home.
Plus, home prices in the area have been steadily increasing.
Equestria, Pretoria
Within its borders is Grove Mall. Within driving distance, you’ll find The Silver Lakes Golf Course and a dozen prestigious schools.
You can purchase a 3-bedroom townhouse or flat in Equestria’s complexes for below R750 000. However, expect a floor size of roughly 80 square metres.
Lindhurst, Johannesburg
If you’re searching for value for money in one of Johannesburg’s family-friendly suburbs, turn to Lindhurst. The 3-bedroom townhouses and flats start at R600 000, which is a R6 300 bond repayment. Rates and levies are also reasonable. The location is perfect. Residents have at least two malls within a 5-minute drive and can get to Sandton in 10 minutes (20 minutes with traffic).
Meyerspark, Pretoria
You can get a 96-square-metre 3-bedroom flat in Meyerspark for R8 000 a month. This number includes your bond repayment, rates and levies.
The suburb is close to nearly a dozen schools, perfect for young families looking for a starter home.
3-Bedroom Western Cape Homes Under R750 000
Finding a family home in the Western Cape where your bond is under R8 000, and levies and rates are below R2 000 is a challenge. Property24 only lists 301 properties below R800 000. Most homes in this price range are further from city centres. To get closer to the province’s economic hub, your options are limited.
Paarl Rural, Paarl
Paarl Rural is an up-and-coming suburb, under 50 kilometres from Cape Town’s central business district. You can buy a 3-bedroom flat for below R500 000 in Paarl Rural. At this price, you get rates, levies, and a bond for less than R6 000 a month. But finding a gem when it hits the market is the challenging part.
Cloetesville, Stellenbosch
You can buy a home in this Stellenbosch suburb for under R800 000. The suburb is 50 kilometres from Cape Town city centre, but closer to other economic hubs including Stellenbosch. Residents also don’t have to drive all the way to town, as the Du Toit Metrorail station in La Colline is within walking distance.
KwaZulu-Natal Suburbs with affordable 3-bedroom homes
These are your choices if you’re on the east coast and want affordable family living.
