Hermanus properties

The town of Hermanus, on the Cape South Coast Garden Route of the Western Province of South Africa, became famous all over the world as an ideal window from which to observe the annual northward whale migration. The town is especially popular during September, when Hermanus hosts its Whale Festival. But Hermanus is not just about the whales!

Hermanus is addictive. If you are lucky enough to get a little bit of it, you just want more. And once upon a time Hermanus was actually considered to be medicine!

The exhilarating fresh air of Hermanus was prescribed for convalescents by Harley Street surgeons, during the start of the 19th century. And the gentry embraced Hermanus as an ideal escape from cold Europe in winter.

Hermanus is medicine for the soul, even today: The refreshing air, beautiful scenery and relaxed lifestyle will have any psyche revitalised in no time.

International "swallows" from all over the northern hemisphere have invested in Hermanus properties for carefree summer holidays, while their own countries are icy and cold. A number of successful local professionals and ambitious entrepreneurs have also chosen Hermanus over the cities, to work and raise their families.

Hermanus offers a more environmentally friendly, safer, less hectic habitat to live and raise a family - without relinquishing all those creature comforts that goes with city living.

Hermanus developments

Hermanus is currently bursting at the seams with new real estate developments. Cluster home developments, sectional title schemes, retirement villages and lifestyle estates are mushrooming along the coast between Fisherhaven and Hermanus. And the infrastructure is improving every year. Businesses, schools and a new medi clinic have already arrived, to provide those modern living requirements, in the safe and healthy neighbourhoods of Hermanus.

The Hermanus local council has a vision of upgrading the town centre, Market Square, Gearing's Point and Grotto Beach. Beachfront developments are planned for Grotto Beach and north of the village centre, adjacent to Zwelihle and the milkwood forest.

The little old fishing village of Hermanus proper is quietly changing from a simple but popular South African retirement and holiday town to a chic, stylish destination that draws people from all over the world. And they all want to catch a glimpse of the whales.

Hermanus real estate market

The brave (and/or stupid) also have the chance to get up-close and personal with huge sharks, from inside a cage. After an encounter like that, purchasing a property probably seems a lot less intimidating, because the demand for luxury property in the Walker Bay / Hermanus area continues to rise.

South Africans holiday homebuyers still outnumber the overseas property buyers. The residential real estate market in Hermanus is most active in the price range below 3 million rand. But residential property prices can go as high as 20 million, or higher, for exceptional properties.

A small flat on a busy road might sell at around R400 000, while a seafront home might fetch closer to R40 million. Entry-level properties sell much quicker than top-of-the-range luxury mansions.

Real estate professionals believe that the residential real estate market in Hermanus is changing into a buyers market, which means that the 15 to 20 % appreciation in property prices, experienced last year, will probably stabilise.

Hermanus business

Business in Hermanus will, for a long while still, not be as good as in the city. But with more and more people choosing to settle permanently in the Hermanus area, business opportunities are improving.

The important fundamentals of business still apply, even in Hermanus: Good quality, service, and reliability. New businesses have to realise that the market in Hermanus is still largely seasonal. So, when you're on holiday, relax to your heart's content. But when you're working, be disciplined and professional. And prepare financially for the slender pickings during the off-peak season.