“It is the first of its kind in the country,” says eLan Property Group Development Director, Andrew Thompson. “Estates are usually associated with luxury, high price points. When Sappi approached us to partner with them in setting up an estate incorporating what were originally employee homes, we knew it would be a winner.”

Sales have been brisk and new owners appreciate the appeal of living in a secure all-inclusive estate where children can ride their bikes, families walk to the Country Club, and friends enjoy a round of golf.
Securing a home loan has, however, proved a stumbling block for some enthusiastic buyers. “Lenders were assuming average area prices for homes in the area as a benchmark,” says eLan Property Group Sales Executive, Julie Naidoo. “We are confident that properties within the estate are well-priced with huge potential for increases as the estate becomes more established.”
“Our solution was to bring lenders to the estate to take them through the homes on sale and give them a tour of the estate’s facilities and natural beauty,” says Naidoo.

What a success that proved to be! All the major banks, as well as bond originators, ooba and conveyancing attorneys, Strauss Daly, concluded the excursion convinced of the inherent and potential value of homes on the Jackalberry Residential Estate.

Originally built in the 1970s, the structural integrity and generous plots impressed the lenders. “It’s plain to see the great value for money that these comfortable homes on large stands represent,” says Naidoo.
The establishment of the estate is a joint venture between Sappi and the eLan Property Group.
Having developed a number of estates, including the highly successful Simbithi Eco Estate in Ballito, the eLan Property Group has a good understanding of the impact of an estate environment can have on property values.

“While the estate is being established, sales prices are based on the value of the individual home,” says Thompson. “But, we know from experience that the potential increase in the home’s value is based on the lifestyle, as well as the individual structure.”
Named after the endemic Jackalberry Tree, which thrives in the Tugela River region, the current estate represents the first phase of a longer-term development for the area.

Sappi, in a joint venture with the eLan Property Group, is a driving force behind Mandeni’s first gated estate.

Over the holidays, security will be put in place in the village, giving residents additional freedom over the festive season.

The business of estate living starts in earnest early next year with the first community meeting scheduled for February 2018.

All registered and non-registered owners at Jackalberry Residential Estate are invited to attend the meeting at which many important decisions will be taken. Most importantly, nominations for the Home Owners’ Association (HOA) will be put forward. Owners will be represented by the HOA regarding the running of the estate, as well as adopting rules for residents and visitors.

It is a meeting not to be missed as estate levies, rates and important issues and procedures will be discussed.

It’s not too late to invest in Jackalberry Residential Estate

Living on a secure residential estate comes with many lifestyle benefits. By sharing amenities and recreation facilities, residents enjoy the convenience of having a golf course, school, church, and club house with a pool within the estate. With safe spaces for children to run around, play and ride their bikes, children can enjoy independence while their parents know they are safe.

“All these shared facilities add so much value to the homeowners’ asset,” says eLan Sales Agent, Julie Naidoo. “Buyers who have purchased in the developing phases of the estate stand to benefit hugely from the expected increases in property values.”

According to Naidoo, property sales are brisk. “Buyers are attracted by the peace of mind that a secure estate brings, as well as the convenience of having everything they need within walking distance.”

There are still homes available for sale on the estate, contact Julie Naidoo or Bonny Muringai to find out more.

• There are 26 houses available in Jackalberry Residential Estate, priced between R345,000 and R760,000.
• 10 houses are available outside the estate, priced between R610,000 and R710,000.
• The sale of 20 houses have already been registered and owners have taken transfer of the properties
• Another 38 houses have been sold and are in the process of being transferred.

Originally built as homes for employees working for the Mandeni Mill, these houses present a great opportunity for new owners to restore them according to their family’s specific needs. Selling at relatively low price points, new owners stand to gain from their investment in improving the homes, as well as from the added value which comes from living on an estate.

With the completion of the gatehouse at Jackalberry Residential Estate, the property development moves into a new phase as the estate community starts becoming a formal entity.

Access controls will be put in place in January 2018, securing the estate and giving residents the peace of mind that estate living brings.

Owning a property on Jackalberry Residential Estate brings lifestyle benefits, in addition to being a wise investment option, with property values expected to increase significantly.

Leaving from Wilson’s Wharf, the two-hour cruise was a brilliant opportunity for the proud homeowners to get to know each better.

Hosted by Sales Agent, Julie Naidoo, the group spent a glorious afternoon out on Durban Bay. “We wanted to thank our clients for choosing Jackalberry as their new home. The vibe on the boat was wonderful. If living on the Estate is going to be anything like that, they’re going to have a lot of fun!” said Julie.

Homes on the Jackalberry Residential Estate are being marketed through the eLan Property Group’s sales office based at Simbithi Country Club in Ballito.

All applications and zoning approvals are complete, and consultations have taken place with members of the community in Mandini town. The process has taken just over two years but with the endeavours and support of the local municipality, results are now showing. The fenceline hard structure is up, with road closures still to take place, and the gatehouse reaching roof truss height.

Sappi Tugela HR Manager, Danie Kolver has overseen the process on behalf of Sappi Tugela Mill. He says: “From Sappi’s perspective, we have been delighted by the positive response from the community.”

“Working with Barry Robinson, brought onboard as an engineering consultant has really helped to move things forward. eLan Property Group’s appointed Project Manager, Antony Arbuthnot has done a sterling job of keeping things on-track.”

Robinson says it’s been gratifying to see how people both inside and outside the estate have embraced the project. “There’s a sense of excitement and the buy-in has been virtually universal,” he says.

Creating an estate reinforces owners’ sense of security and community. “For first-time buyers owning their own home is the beginning of a journey to financial security, especially if the home’s value increases, as is expected for the properties in Jackalberry.”

Andrew Thompson of the eLan Property Group looks forward to the electrification of the fence line and completion of the gatehouse in November 2017.

“What a great achievement from the team,” he said. “Sales agents, Julie Naidoo and Bonny Muringai must take the credit for a superb effort – coming close to selling out this portion of Jackalberry Estate.”

He was also quick to mention the planning and investigation through various stakeholders which is already in motion for Phases 2 to 6 at Jackalberry Estate. Riaan Thomson of Urbis Planning is working on the project which will include a Mandini New Town Centre.

JACKALBERRY ESTATE FACTS

• Perimeter fence line 5,1 km
• 15 houses have been sold, registered and transferred
• 42 houses are sold and in the process of being lodged and transferred.
• 28 houses, ranging in price from R380,000 to R765,000 are available for sale in Jackalberry Estate
• 11 houses outside the estate, ranging in price from R610,000 to R710,000 are available from Sappi

Our successful track record in developing residential estates with a strong sense of community and modern functionality, prompted SAPPI, which owns most of the existing houses on the site, to work in partnership with us.

The estate will be enclosed by 6kms of electrified concrete palisade fencing, half of which has already been completed.

Priced from R549 000.00 to R850,000, homes are sought after by local residents, as well as by investors looking for an attractive investment opportunity in the region’s underserved rental market.

An hour out of Durban, Jackalberry Estate offers a quality lifestyle as well as a superior return of up to 10% pa for investors.

For more detail, visit us as www.elan.co.za/jackalberry-residential-estate

Jackalberry Residential Estate is a few kilometers from one of KwaZulu Natals most beautiful beaches, Zinkwazi. The management plan within the estate is to ensure there is the dropping of all residential fences between properties, apply decorative guidelines for the exterior of all houses and introduce small game species once the estate is secured.