A positive environment for residents and future buyers is key to create a happy estate
Estate Living’s Zeenat Moosa Hassan wrote:
“Creating a happy estate community is essential. Happy residents enhance the estate’s reputation creating greater demand for homes which pushes up property values.
Here are five things that can help make your estate a happier one:
- Don’t underestimate the value of the happy hormone
Location and price will always be the most important factors for buyers, but the community spirit (gees) is an important factor too. If buyers have ticked the location and price box, then amenities and facilities which foster community and inclusivity can often be the deciding factor.
Allocate a decent budget for community-led projects, and give the task of researching, implementing, and reviewing their effectiveness to a dedicated individual or team.
- Start with the basics
Buyers are attracted to estates that offer
- amenities,
- good security,
- privacy and
- a comfortable lifestyle.
These are core non-negotiables so make sure you don’t neglect them in your pursuit of community inclusivity.
Estates fortunate enough to have onsite facilities such as community centres, gyms, pools, restaurants, and sports amenities are in high demand because they offer a more relaxed and carefree lifestyle for the whole family. Mangers should do all they can to keep these facilities in optimal condition.
Post Covid-19 buyers and residents are also prioritising other comforts too. Many residents are now realising they can do business without having to commute daily to and from offices or sit for hours in traffic. To offer them the perfect lifestyle and happiness, things like having exceptional fibre to the home offering is essential.
- Focus on green spaces
Research shows that spending just twenty minutes outdoors a day, especially in green spaces, is one of the fastest ways to improve health and happiness.
Buyers want to buy into an estate that is beautiful and well managed. Western Cape estates have outdone themselves with gardens, water features, streams, walking paths and in some cases even vegetable gardens. Buyers are very excited by this, so it really is a no brainer.
Similarly, estates that are self-sustainable and offer energy and water security are quickly becoming the ones to watch when it comes to creating that happy, feel-good atmosphere.
- One size doesn’t fit all
Creating inclusivity can be challenging on a larger estate with different residents from different backgrounds and ages, but it isn’t impossible. Some of the larger estates hosts numerous community centres, each appealing to a different portion of the estate community.
By segmenting amenities and facilities, management can easily notice gaps in their service offering.
- Communication is key
Creating and maintaining a culture of open and transparent engagement is one of the best ways of understanding the needs of residents and making them feel valued.”
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Longevity gifts us with more years and choices that need to be made around life, work, and family. In our parents’ generation the establishment of “old age” homes and nursing facilities were a choice many made as part of their plan beyond their working life. The next generation, known to many as the baby boomers are now aged 56 to 74. They have many more options and choices. To find out more, click here.