The start of the New Year saw fresh new horizons for Engel & Völkers Southern Africa with the sale of the KZN Dolphin Coast licence. This territory which was acquired by husband and wife team, Karien and Stephen Hunter covers the Dolphin Coast area, stretching from the Ohlange (Umhlanga) River to Zinkwazi, north of Ballito.
Karien has over 30 years’ experience as a property attorney, and has been in the Ballito area for the last 12 years. Needless to say, she is the perfect candidate for the new licence and we are assured that she will make a great success with this new venture.
The firm, AMC Hunter Inc. was founded in 1987 by Karien, who still heads up the practice today. In 2017 Hunter Inc. celebrated their 30th anniversary, firmly established as one of the leading law firms in KwaZulu-Natal, specialising in property and commercial law. Karien has invested innumerable hours in the training of real estate agents in the property industry, over the years. She now looks forward to training and developing her own Area Partners on the North Coast.
Karien Hunter holds many accolades, she was the co-winner of the Business Woman of the Year Awards in KwaZulu-Natal in 2007, and was one of three finalists for the Women in Property Awards (WPN Awards) in South Africa in 2008, amongst a few, and is well connected on the KZN North Coast.
Although she has been involved with many real estate agencies she has always been drawn to the E&V brand. She was an avid reader of the weekly newsletters and the brand really appealed to her. She was approached by Craig Hutchison CEO, Engel & Völkers Southern Africa with the opportunity to get involved in the brand, and it was a perfect match from the get-go.
She believes in quality Area Partners, selling quality property, big or small. Karien trusts the key to success is to employ character and the rest will follow. She has a great love for people, their growth and development.
“I always hear estate agencies boasting about their systems which are all very good, but after my intro to the E&V system I am convinced more than ever that E&V does have the best available on the market, even from an attorney perspective – it makes the transactions interlink so well” Karien shared.
“Looking ahead, the KZN residential market looks set to be the most vibrant this year, at least in terms of potential house price growth and return on investment” says Craig Hutchison CEO of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa. “The North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is the new ‘Cape Town’ when it comes to property. It’s about a preferred location because of the many opportunities for business and local economic growth. We wish Karien and her team the best of luck and all the success in their new venture going forward” Craig concluded.
If you are looking to invest in a second home, relocate or to retire at the coast, we are able to offer our exceptional service. Our culture has become the trademark of the Engel & Völkers and the access to international customers and clients through our global market network offers an extended reach with European flair.
The licence area runs from Umhlanga river northwards suburbs include:
Umdloti Beach, Newsel Beach (Umdloti), Selection Beach (Umdloti), La Mercy, Westbrook, Tongaat Beach, Tongaat Central, Zimbali, Ballito, Deepdene, Deepdale, Compensation Beach, Seaward Estate, Beverley Hills Estate, Salt Rock, Shakas Rock, Sheffield Estate, Willard Beach, Brettenwood Estate, Dunkirk, Mount Richmore Village, Blythedale Beach, Palm Lakes, Princes Grant Golf Estate, Tinley Manor, Zinkwazi, Manor Estates, Umhlali Golf Estate, Wakenshaw Estate, Stanger Central, Stanger Heights, Stanger Manor, Belvedere (Tongaat), Desainager (Tongaat), Mount Moreland, Sandfield (Tongaat).
You can contact Karien on 083 449 2969 or email Karien.Hunter@engelvoelkers.com.
About the Area:
KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast, also known as the Dolphin Coast, it is a desirable strip of coastline. A beautiful playground of warm waters, incredible waves, and glorious beaches set alongside fields of sugarcane in a part of the world endowed with humid and warm weather almost throughout the year – this why the Dolphin Coast is one of the province’s main attractions.
No longer just a family holiday hotspot, the lifestyle of relaxation and tranquillity, along with excellent schools and stylish shopping centres just minutes away, the North Coast represents one of the most desirable parts of KZN in which to live. The North Coast is renowned for the Golden Mile, natural indigenous forests, mangrove swamps and the promenade walked by locals at sundown. Residence and visitors are attracted to the friendly village atmosphere, family experiences such as beach days, animal farms, mountain bike trails through the sugar cane fields or a few rounds of golf at one of many excellent North Coast golf courses. The North Coast is primarily recognised by two holiday towns named Ballito and uMhlanga. Ballito is where you will find Sibaya Casino, King Shaka International Airport and the beautiful Zimbali estate, while the upmarket uMhlanga has plenty to offer, from luxury estates such as Hawaan Forest Estate to the uShaka marine theme park.
Area Trends and Activity:
The North Coast has become the hub of property development and is rapidly growing, particularly gated estates. The infrastructure upgrades and various blue chip investments such as the Oceans and Dube Port is attracting a number of residential developers, corporates and retirees seeking a relaxed lifestyle in a seaside location that is also conveniently close to offices, shops, medical facilities and entertainment venues.
Average Property Value:
In the North Coast area, homes currently range in a price from R 2.8 million in greater Ballito to as high as R 70 million in lifestyle estates. The average price for a full title, mid-level home is about R 3, 15 million. According to Lightstone, full title properties and sectional title units have increased in value, although sectional title properties more so by approximately 6% in the Ballito area. People are prepared to pay a premium for the estate lifestyle with the benefits of this relaxation and beach.
Typical Property Type:
The North Coast offers a number of gated communities and luxury estates with sensual architecture, whilst it is also a place with family homes, secure complexes, sought-after retail and office space.
