Simon’s Town Real Estate News

What’s Happening In Simon’s Town?

Well, the seasons are changing and the evenings are getting cooler but we still have some lovely days, Elmarie’s book club became a wine club, the successful Navy festival broke all records, the Argus Cycle tour saw many bicycles passing our village and real estate sales are slower.

Here’s a few tidbits of news that may interest you

• A fellow Simon’s Town resident suggested that we create an alternative by-pass route and although not a new idea but still an interesting idea. According to Nicky Holderness the idea has merit in time of crisis. Another say, “I think this is actually a busted flush!”
• “Although not unexpected the latest interest rate hike came, like always, as a shock to our highly indebted nation. It’s no wonder when you consider that the cumulative impact of an increase of 450 basis points since June 2006 has upped the monthly repayment on a mortgage of R1-million by R3200. To paraphrase Tito — it’s belt tightening time”. Kabous le Roux iAfrica.com
• Thanks Kabous; the real estate market is quiet and the agents are all waiting for an upwards turn but it might get worse before we can expect better days. While we wait for the buyers we decided to publish a good news Newspaper, called Coffee News, promoting your Simon’s Town homes for sale. This fun publication is available every week at the local restaurants and also gets delivered to homes in the area.
• Have you heard of the Simon’s Town Hawks? Basically the people with the caring and open eyes. They are the Simon’s Town residents who see things that they don’t like and do not want in our village and they make an effort to resolve these issues. The way to do it is to empower us as a group to amplify and coordinate the process to resolve the issues. I have created a forum for you to add your concerns. I believe this will help our “hawks”.
• We had nasty graffiti on the bus stop to Boulders beach and Bay Primary was asked to be creative. They did an amazing job and added colourful penguins to the bus stop. I know that some people don’t like penguins that much but I did not realize that they will go to the extreme to paint the bus stop white again. The STcivic association is following up to get the bus shelter repainted.
• I noted that the City plans to resolve most of valuation objections by end of June 2008. Interesting. Let’s hope they can do it. When ready I will send you the average valuation stats per suburb. For what it’s worth. I prefer to use the average selling price per square meter to establish some idea of your property’s value and then compensate for issues that will inflate the value.
• Cell Phone Reception: This is issue was voted as the top issue in a recent poll. Vodacom, Nicki Holderness and they Navy are working on a solution to erect a reception tower at Joe Maseko’s. Unfortunately Public Works need to say yes because they are the owners of all Navy buildings. And that may take many moons. Another out of the box suggestion; why not erect the tower at Roman Rock Light House, there’s sun panels and it’s out of the way and it’s inline of sight?
• On a personal note:
  • I decided to bury the hatchet and apologized to Andre at Salty Sea Dog for the unfortunate article I wrote on his restaurant. I did it because I wanted to. Thanks Andre for your forgiveness.
  • Supporting the local businesses: Never did I realise that a book club can also become a wine club and that is how I learned about a fine wine sold by a local resident and liquor store owner. Read the story here. Read the story here.
• Business to Business meeting: If you run a business or do business in Simon’s Town why not attend our one hour get together every fourth Wednesday from 08:00 till 09:00 at the Sweetest Thing. We meet in an informal environment to discuss different businesses and you get the change to promote your business. More…

To conclude I believe these wise words from Kabous says it all. At least for the optimists:

The economy is expected to grow by ‘only’ four percent this year — hardly a meltdown. So keep your chin up! What goes up must come down and interest rates are no exception. And when they do, don’t take on more ‘cheap’ debt. It won’t stay that way — what goes down will go up again.

May you have fun enjoy this great time in Simon’s Town.

Johan and Elmarie Horak

Tags: cell phone, Civic Association, coffee news, Forum, Inflation, Navy, nicki holderness, Restaurant, Roads, simonstown, wine

Posted in Issues | Comments

Press Release: City plans to resolve most of valuation objections by end of June 2008

City plans to resolve most of valuation objections by end of June 2008

THE City of Cape Town is making good progress with the valuation objection process and wishes to assure ratepayers it is doing everything possible to ensure that objections are resolved within the shortest possible time”, says Christopher Gavor, Director: Valuations in the Finance Directorate.

Of the objections that have been received against values appearing on the GV2006 valuation roll, 25 600 have been re-visited so far. Some 19 000 have been reviewed and 17 500 owners have been informed of the municipal valuers decision in respect of their objections. The City plans to resolve most of the objections by the end of June 2008. The objection resolution process is a time consuming one, and in most cases, physical inspections have to be carried out.

The City is making use of both its internal valuers as well valuers in private practice to assist with the process. The valuers will be working in the following areas for the months of April and May 2008:

Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Noordhoek, Fish Hoek, Chapman`s Peak, Glencairn, Muizenberg/Lakeside, Rondebosch, Newlands, Penlyn Estate, Lansdowne, Crawford, Gatesville, Rylands, Fairways, Gordon`s Bay, Scharpenberg, Greenways, Edgemead, Century City, Sanddrift, Blouberg, Somerset West, Strand North, Ridgeworth, Welgemoed, Loevenstein and Goodwood.

Property owners are requested to cooperate and allow officials to inspect their properties as part of the objection resolution process. They are, however, warned to ensure that officials carry the requisite identification when they call at their homes.

When owners are officially advised of the outcome of their objection, they will be entitled to appeal the decision of the municipal valuer on the official appeal form and all such appeals will be heard by the Valuation Appeal Board. The valuation roll will be adjusted accordingly based on the decision of the Appeal Board.

he Valuation Appeal Boards for the City of Cape Town have been constituted by the Provincial Minister responsible for Local Government. The Boards are currently reviewing the appeals against the decisions by the municipal valuer.

To enquire as to the status of their objections, property owners can contact the City`s call centre on 0860 103 089 during office hours or fax to 0860 103 090 or e-mail valuations@capetown.gov.za.

“From feedback we receive there is clearly a broad understanding that the new property valuations, based on the “market value” of the property, is a legal requirement and not an arbitrary tax imposed by local government. Relief measures and rebates are being applied to new rates and charges in the municipal accounts. Many residents have applied for relief measures in terms of the City’s indigent policy, or other rebates such as the pensioners rebate”, Gavor added.

Media Enquiries:Christopher Gavor,Tel:(021) 400-1345 or Cell:082-899-3308

Tags: simonstown, Valuation

Posted in Property | Comments