One of the first surfers photographed surfing in St Francis Back back in the day. This photo is from Nevil Hulett and tagged ‘Phillipa Hill Collection.’
‘First Surfers In St Francis’ – check the dunes in the background.
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St Francis Bay Property Transfers: 2024 so far (with the 2023 figures in brackets) – by Richard Arderne
Canals: R28m (R29.3m)
Links: R9.1m (R10.8m)
Village: R9m (R6.5m)
Port: R6.9m (R4.8m)
Santareme: R4.9m (R12.7m)
Cape St Francis: R20m
Plot: R10m (CSF)
Over R20m: 1 (Canals)
Over R15m: 3 (2)
(Canals 2, CSF 1)
Over R10m: 11 (11)
(Canals 9, CSF 1, Links 1)
Over R5m: 61 (39)
(Links 24, Canals 21, CSF 10, Village 5, Port 1, Santareme 0)
(10 of the Links 24 were Sectional Title)
331 (389)
Links 81, Santareme 67, Village 66, CSF 47, Canals 41, Port 14, Industrial 10, Sea Vista 5
Total Value: R982m (R926m)
Under R1m: 103
(mostly plots, but 11 of them Sectional Title units, mostly industrial)
Sectional Title: 78 units
(mostly Links Villas, Homestead Views, Industrial and Port)
R/m2:
15 plots below R400/m2
16 Sectional Title units above R25,000/m2 (Links Villas, Seaglades, Ships Bell)
Note that Lightstone provides the figures and include sales by all estate agencies and private sales, but exclude three substantial developments: Grand Commoros (no transfers, life right), Quaysyde (no transfers yet) and Port View (rentals)
See also: Billy’s and Ballies: Get Ready – Notes From The Editor
Matt Davis (left) and Dirk Groeneveld
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In the grand scheme of things, Client Care’s Dirk Groeneveld is still relatively new to St Francis Bay, but Dirk and Client Care are making great strides. We caught up with Dirk Groeneveld recently.
It seems you have firmly set roots in S Francis Bay. Would you agree?
Yes, my wife and I have been here for nearly 4 years, and we love every minute. The relaxed lifestyle and friendly people!
Pushed out by COVID, pulled in by the lure of such a fantastic place, and then the skill and knowledge of having the structure and know-how to make your business flourish in a short amount of time. It must be a lekker feeling to get it right after so much uncertainty exists.
It was not planned, but it has been a wonderful experience. Initially, I didn’t want to work from home, so I opened an office, but we are now meeting new clients monthly and are busier than ever. People here resonate with what we offer and plan to live the best life possible with what they have.
This place. Everyone loves it, but it does have challenges as well. Have you experienced any noteworthy challenges?
The only challenge is balancing our social life! Folk here are super friendly and social, so learning to say no is essential for our health. St Francis is small, so we must treat all our clients with the care and attention they deserve.
Dirk and his grandson.
What has been the best little piece of the jigsaw you have experienced since moving here?
Feeling like we are part of this wonderful community. People here care about each other, the village, and our environment; all these things are special to us, so we feel at home.
Then you go straight into making some special top 50 Independent Financial Advisors in the Country awards. Tell us about these awards, I see they are new.
That is over 30 years of hard work; it is definitely not an overnight thing. This is the first year that Citywire is doing this in SA; I believe they have been doing it in the UK and Europe for a while. They looked at our business, advice and investment process and judged how we look after clients, etc. We are always looking to improve and find better ways of adding value to our clients; this aspect has led to us being in the Top 50.
A quick read through the list shows that some heavy hitters are on there. You must be pretty chuffed to get onto that list.
Yes, very happy; I know most of these people, and to be listed along with them is excellent as they are the leading advisers in SA, and, dare I say the world, SA is highly considered in the advice space around the world.
Does it mean anything yet? Or is it just great to have the recognition?
Recognition is always good. Having happy clients who trust us is what I live for, so this award is nice, but helping real people who we help live their best lives is why we exist.
What do you attribute your success to in St Francis Bay and the company?
Doing great, honest work. We focus on our client’s lives, not just their money. Money is an enabler; without proper planning, one cannot live a life by design. This planning aspect empowers our clients to take control of their finances and lives, and people want to feel empowered.
What are the big plans for 2025? Are there any significant changes?
To continue to grow. With so many people moving to SFB, many want to work with a local adviser. We know our work differs from that of a traditional broker, who focuses on investments. We do that and much more, and people like that. Our team here will grow as well to facilitate this growth.
And you support the local football club with Matt Davis
Yes, we sponsor Matt’s local St Francis Bay United football club, and I sit at the St Francis Bay Business Chamber. We are also involved in sponsoring golf days and other activations.
St Francis Bay United football club
What is the best way to spend a Friday night in St Francis Bay? A little birdie told me it’s a braai at home with your wife and some nice red wine… elaborate, please.
Definitely a braai. My wife knows that Fridays are spent around my Kamado with my favourite tunes playing with family and friends around. Life does not get better than this!
See more: Are You Really a Long-Term Investor? – The Human Side of Money presented by Client Care
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