If you’re in the market for a holiday home, it can be daunting to figure out exactly what you want and how to go about getting it. The idea may be slowly taking shape in your mind, considering items such as location, attractions of the area, distance to the beach, size of the unit and proximity to your current home.
Buying a holiday home is an exciting opportunity for any family. It can be the start of an annual tradition, it can give everyone something to look forward to throughout the year and it can potentially earn you income when you’re not using it.
There is no doubt that Umhlanga village is one of the most sought-after locations to purchase a holiday home. It is a walkable, pedestrian-friendly precinct with a world-class promenade and clean beaches. Umhlanga offers an incredible holiday town feel all year round and there are locals who live within Durban and choose to purchase their holiday home along the water’s edge.
It’s not just Umhlanga that enjoys this premium status, the burgeoning precincts just a short 5-minute drive North are fast becoming sought-after property within the Umhlanga location, demanding market-related prices for that unmistakable North Coast beach view.
A holiday home is the place you come to unwind. What does that down time look like to you? Are you someone who wants to be close to the city and enjoy the nightlife of the area, or do you want to look out from your balcony and be surrounded by nature or is the gentle swell of the ocean and the sound of the waves calling you to the beach.
The Sibaya Coastal Precinct has it all – It is 5-minutes from Umhlanga Village nightlife and beach access, and enjoys quick access to Umdloti Beach and top restaurants at the new Marine Walk Shopping Centre, the estates within the Sibaya Coastal Precinct are bordered by the Hawaan Forest for natural leafy views and serene walks, and you can access 180 degree sea views from any of the beach facing apartments.
Nature trails in the Sibaya Coastal Precinct take you on a 12-14 minute walk down to Umdloti Beach. You also have the option to take a short drive to Gold Coast Estate where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Sunset Clubhouse with playroom facilities for the kids and a jungle gym outside.
Peace and relaxation is yours in OceanDune Sibaya. The estate avoids the crowds, traffic and noise of Umhlanga village while being conveniently close enough to frequent whenever you want. Views of the beach and ocean are unspoiled by rowdy groups and you have the luxury of going up to the rooftop pool deck for unparalleled views of the coast, at your leisure.
OceanDune is also conveniently located 10-minutes from King Shaka International Airport if you are commuting in from Johannesburg or other provinces. King Shaka International Airport also enjoys daily international flights with Emirates and Qatar.
You don’t want to waste time and money renovating property, ideally you want a holiday home with modern appliances and fittings, with little to no maintenance required. OceanDune apartments have modern interiors including kitchen fittings, tiling and bathroom fittings.
Apartments are spacious for family living and you have opportunities ranging from 2-bed, 2-baths to 3 beds, 3-baths, with a covered balcony area and an option to include a gas braai. There are also smaller 1-bedroom units that are ideal for investment to turn into an Airbnb holiday rental.
You may only be there a few times a year but you’ll want to feel pampered and not want for anything while you’re on holiday. This means buy a full dinner set for the table, buy enough shower towels and beach towels for the whole family and make sure the lounge area and balcony furniture is comfortable for those long days of ultimate relaxation.
Make sure to stock up your linen cupboard with extra soft sheets and extra duvet sets and cosy blankets. There are fantastic homeware and linen shops in the area from Gateway Shopping Centre to Marine Walk Shopping Centre, but it is always a relief to have all your comforts ready and waiting for you.
It’s advisable to keep a good stock of magazines, books and board games for the whole family to enjoy. Keep a drawer for emergency supplies such as matches, candles, flashlights, batteries, plasters and a list of emergency services in the area.
Getting a TV is a must, with a DSTV decoder and Wi-Fi to log into your Netflix account. Staying connected is vital for you and for guests that may rent your unit in the future. Imagine a holiday during the festive season without catching up on all your favourite Christmas movies.
Ideally you want a holiday home that is secure, where you do not need to feel anxious about locking your front door, leaving the balcony door ajar during the day or being watched as you get in or out of your car. Being on holiday is all about unwinding, leaving those daily security concerns behind and enjoying the coastal lock-up-and-go environment.
OceanDune has a ground floor lap pool with sun loungers, a rooftop pool and deck with lounge area, a jungle gym for the kids, secure parking and easy access to forest trails within the precinct. Security is managed from the 24-hour control centre and access to the estate is controlled with biometrics for each resident and guest.
Staying at OceanDune is ideal as you will definitely not spend your holiday commuting to the places you want to go to. If you’re taking up surfing, jet skiing or fishing, you won’t have to travel far – Umhlanga, Umdloti and Ballito all have fantastic spots to take full advantage of the best waves.
Groceries are exceptionally easy to purchase from Marine Walk Shopping Centre where you have the choice of Superspar Salta and Woolworths Food. While there is Checkers and Woolworths Food at the new Oceans Mall in Umhlanga.
For full in-door entertainment, Gateway Theatre of Shopping and Cornubia both have movie houses and Bounce facilities for the kids. These shopping malls are equipped with entertainment for the whole family.
For a trip into the wilds of the ocean, Ushaka Marine World is a short 15-minute drive South along the M4 where the kids can explore the aquarium and see the live shows.
Typically the purchase of a holiday home is seen by the bank and bond originators as a second home and you will use the same application process that you used to obtain a loan for your first home. So, make sure all your paperwork and financials are in order, including a good credit rating. You can easily pre-qualify and see where you stand by using this friendly online tool.
OceanDune is a coveted Airbnb destination on the KZN North Coast that enjoys the short-term rental holiday market all year round. For weekend getaways, mid-week breaks and business travelers, OceanDune is ideally placed close to Umhlanga, the beach and the established business district on the Umhlanga Ridge.
Essentially a holiday home is a second home and there is a whole second set of rates, taxes and insurance that you will need to cover. The fantastic part is that if you’re taking advantage of short-term letting then you will be able to recover those expenses on a monthly basis and potentially earn a profit.
What are you waiting for? speak to our friendly development consultants about the available holiday homes at OceanDune and make sure you reap the benefits for 2023.
