Property Details
This is a real fixer-upper - 2 houses, separate double garage, staff quarters, other outbuildings, pool and more.
Everything needs fixing, but an energetic owner can create a wonderful home.
All the buildings have been unoccupied for a long time and all need substantial renovation. It will need vision, energy and money. But, if you're a DIY enthusiast, they could be renovated to create a beautiful property.
At R 2 million, this is a real bargain.
The 21 hectare property is at the end of a gravel road - very secluded. It has a large, well-treed level area and a glorious koppie, full of trees. The existing buildings are:
- a 3 bedroom thatched house with a deck above a (currently dry) small dam
- a 2 bedroom cottage with tile roof
- a double garage with staff rooms
- staff quarters
- a circular pool
- borehole
Note that there are usage restrictions on every farm in the Reserve – no large commercial projects, no livestock farming and a usage of 5% of the entire farm, in other words, only 5% of the land may be disturbed, the remainder left untouched, to protect the natural flora and fauna. Wild game is free to roam the reserve. This includes wildebeest, kudu, blesbok, bontebok, waterbuck, impala, even giraffe, zebra and ostrich.
This property is in the Crocodile River Reserve, which has many advantages:
1. There is a high degree of protection from Land Claims. The entire Reserve is protected by various environmental ordinances.
2. There is a management authority (MA) which looks after the reserve, attending to all legal matters (the reserve was gazetted in November 2019 and is a reality). The MA protects the ecosystem in the reserve, ensures that rules are observed and protects the area from land invasions (which is enshrined in the constitution). The MA also represents the interests of the owners/members in all matters.
3. The reserve has the highest biodiversity rating given, which makes it very special. It is primarily pristine grasslands.
4. There are significant tax benefits - the Income Tax Act, section 37 C and D allow owners to offset the value of the land over 25 years. There are no rates on the land, only the improvements (buildings) and maintenance of the land in order to protect the reserve can be claimed against income via a maintenance claim form which is submitted to the MA.
5. There are usage restrictions on every farm in the Reserve – no large commercial projects, no livestock farming and a usage of 5% of the entire farm, in other words, only 5% of the land may be disturbed, the remainder left untouched, to protect the natural flora and fauna.
6. Members of the reserve are bound by the constitution. The intention is to protect the ecosystem which means no commercial farming is permitted. Owners are encouraged to allow free movement of game (eland, kudu, impala, duiker, etc), so fencing of the full plot is discouraged. Fencing around the buildings is, of course, permitted, and this could include quite a large area.
The Crocodile River Reserve should be regarded not as farmland, but rather an Eco or Lifestyle Estate. Owners may build their dwellings, with associated buildings but only within the 5% allowed. So build or acquire your home and then sit back and enjoy the serenity of this wonderful reserve.
Purchasers are recommended to visit the CRR website to familiarise themselves with the aims, ethos and rules of the Reserve.
The reserve also hosts an annual mountain bike race each year - the Jackal Dash MTB Challenge - which is very popular and there are organised nature walks throughout the year covering the geology, animals and insects, grasses and flowers, history of the area etc.
What is certain is that land in the reserve will become significantly more valuable over time, so it is an excellent time to purchase a property.