The city of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa is known for being one of the best places in the country to invest in property. It would pay to familiarise yourself with a few of the Mother City’s finer points, so here’s a handful of items to consider when going through the exercise of buying property in Cape Town and surrounds.

Decide What You’re Looking For

Research is a vital element of any large decision. It might be a good idea to sit down, before even perusing the markets, and make a physical list of what you are looking for in your new home. As with any home, decide on the number of rooms and garages you’ll require, and whether or not you want a pool, garden or cottage/granny flat. These decisions will help in locating an appropriate suburb in which to start looking, as some have more space for gardens and extra parking space than others.

The Different Areas of Cape Town

As varied as the people who make up the beautiful Mother City, Cape Town has a neighbourhood for every type of lifestyle.

To be closer to the action of the Cape Town city centre, Greenpoint, Seapoint, Gardens or Vredehoek may be more your cup of tea. These areas are noticeably pricier than some of the others due to their convenient locations, but they’re the perfect location if you crave the big city life.

The southern suburb neighbourhoods such as Rondebosch and Claremont are great for family life, with a variety of top notch schools, shopping centres, medical services and other facilities within a close proximity.

For an even more suburban lifestyle, suburbs such as Tableview and Milnerton provide easy living away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Looking for something a little sexier? The Atlantic Seaboard has some of the most luxurious properties in the country. The areas of Hout Bay, Clifton and Camps Bay offer a range of glorious beaches and around the clock access to some of the most happening bars, clubs and cafes in town.

The northern suburbs such as Plattekloof, Boston and Durbanville provide ideal settings for family life amongst the fynbos. With plenty schools, hospitals and shopping centre in and around these areas, they’re wise locations for an all-round approach to life.

Cape Town has rather extreme weather conditions. From heavy rainfall during the long winter to piping hot beach weather during the gorgeous summer, it can make life in the Mother City quite a rollercoaster. Because of the geography of the city (most notably “that mountain’), areas differ in climate. Newlands, for instance, is known as the wettest area of Cape Town while the peninsula and surrounding area is renowned for high winds.

Set your Budget

Cape Town can be an expensive place, especially if you’re coming from another city. It’s important to calculate how much you’re able to spend on a bond – at least to a rough degree.

Remember to the keep hidden costs in mind. When applying for a mortgage, the new National Credit Act now allows banks to tack on a number of extra charges such as initiation fees, and then there are bond registration fees and transfer duties and so on.

Insurance is also a vital cost to keep in mind. You wouldn’t want to be paying a mortgage for a pile of smouldering ash so make sure you get homeowners’ insurance, and if you’re moving from a smaller town, the chances are that your short-term or householders’ insurance premiums will increase. Contact your insurance broker and get some advice and figures for your new venture.

Now that you’ve considered a few important elements, it’s time to dive into the Cape Town property listings.