Seeff Properties expands Namibian presence

Founded in 1964 in Paarl and Cape Town, South Africa, by the Seeff family, Seeff has grown into an established property network in Southern Africa.

Over six decades, the company has expanded into South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Mauritius, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Dubai. It also has a joint venture with Hamptons in the UK.

Seeff entered Namibia in 2009 under a South African licence. Maria Esterhuizen acquired the Namibian licence in 2015.

The company now operates in several parts of the country, with an office in Walvis Bay staffed by five agents and three agents at the Swakopmund waterfront. It also has representatives in Henties Bay and Omaruru and is planning to reopen its Windhoek office.

According to Seeff representative Robert Wilson, the company handles a range of properties, from entry-level developments to agricultural farms, smallholdings and luxury homes.

Strong demand on the coast

Namibia’s coastal property market, particularly in Swakopmund, is experiencing strong demand.

An influx of buyers and tenants, driven in part by growth in the mining sector, potential oil and gas developments and international events, has contributed to a shortage of serviced land.

Wilson said this had contributed to conditions favouring sellers. “In the past two years, we’ve seen up to 100% growth in the value of seafront properties and properties with an ocean view,” he said.

He said some high-end transactions in Swakopmund had reached between N$25 million and N$35 million.

The demand has also increased potential returns for property investors. In addition to commercial and industrial storage properties, new off-plan residential developments have recorded strong capital growth.

According to Wilson, investors who bought properties off-plan in Swakopmund have seen their property values rise by as much as 30% within a year during the construction phase.

International professionals moving to the area are also contributing to demand for rental properties, particularly furnished homes and larger houses.

At the same time, limited land availability is making it difficult for local buyers and tenants to find suitable properties.

Advice for buyers and sellers

For first-time buyers, Wilson said the first step should be to establish what they can afford.

A bank pre-approval can help buyers determine how much they can afford to spend each month and can also strengthen their position when negotiating with a seller.

Buyers may also be able to purchase a property jointly with family members or other buyers, subject to the requirements of their lender. Wilson said some banks allowed up to 12 people to buy a property jointly.

For property owners considering a sale, Wilson recommends working with an established estate agency with a broad marketing network.

Seeff has nearly 200 offices, allowing its agents to refer potential buyers and sellers between offices and across regional and international markets.

For buyers and sellers in a market where demand and availability can vary significantly by location, Wilson said understanding local conditions remains important when making property decisions.