Exploring current residential trends in the property market

While open-plan floor plans were introduced to the property market in the 1950’s, most modern residential sectional title or freehold homes today boast open plan living spaces. Homes with separate living spaces are often older and not easy to come by when investing in modern developments.

Likewise, another major trend today includes not only en-suite bathrooms, but bathrooms that are actually integrated into bedrooms or bathrooms that are completely transparent – allowing for little or no privacy.

While not everyone’s cup of tea, this design trend is becoming very popular and is even incorporated by the hospitality industry on a large scale.

Vertical gardens are another feature that has become popular due to space limitations of especially sectional title units. Some modern property (especially high-end) may either be sold with established vertical gardens or the framework for a garden.

Many modern homes today will also have a separate guest toilet in the home in addition to the bathrooms with bath and shower facilities used by the household. Where many older homes included outside bathroom facilities, few modern homes are built with these now - unless they form part of a flatlet.

Seeff spoke to its experts in Pretoria East and Centurion to find out more about the trends dominating the property markets right now.

Tiaan Pretorius, a property consultant at Seeff Centurion, lists the below sought after design trends:

· Properties that offer a fourth or guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom.
· Properties that offer outside buildings that can be used as flatlet or nanny's quarters.
· Homes with an additional living\pyjama lounge area for children.
· Homes with new modern kitchens and bathrooms. Buyers today are more knowledgeable about the quality of finishes and can pick up if corners were cut and if cheaper light\plumbing fittings were used.
· Open plan bedrooms and en-suite layouts remain popular.

Pretorius says because of a higher emphasis on security and safety consciousness, many buyers require properties that are either in secure estates\complexes or freestanding properties that offer more security than the average freestanding home.

Gerhard van der Linde, Seeff’s MD in Pretoria East, confirms that security dominates many of the modern design trends in Pta East, like in the rest of the country.

“Developers realise the importance of security measures and the installation and framework of security features. Conduits are often established from the get-go with regard to access control, security monitors etc.

Van der Linde concludes that fibre optics also play an important role with regard to modern developments and developers often provide for fibre connections from the onset.

“Green living is also becoming increasingly popular and many homes are sold with features like solar panels and inverters amongst others already included.

Modern and good quality features with regard to kitchens and bathrooms also play a major role”.