Let’s face it – no one likes thinking about retirement because it means facing the fact that we are not getting any younger.
We all secretly hope that it will get easier to look for that pair of shoes under the bed or to read the small print without those pesky glasses again. But each time we are faced with these small reminders of our – dare we say it – age, we know deep down that time waits for no man or woman.
The good news, however, is that retirement can be everything you have always hoped it would be; relaxed, stress-free, quality time spent with family and friends, freedom to do all the things you’ve always wanted to do while not having to worry about your security, health or finances.
After nine months of eager anticipation, Central Developments have just launched its twelfth retirement estate, Celebration, just opposite the Northgate Mall. Not to be mistaken for an old age home, this retirement estate focuses on being a community for over 50s who want an active lifestyle within a social environment catering for their every need with beautiful lifestyle facilities. At the same time it also provides world class care and support options should it ever become necessary. Not only does it have a 30-bed, 24-hour, frail-care centre fully operational from phase one, but care packages can also, with the assistance of on-site experts, be tailor made to include, for example, home care for an individual recovering from and illness or operation in the comfort of their own home.
Only about 10% of all retirement developments offer similar services and facilities from day one. They either don’t have any frail-care facilities or plan to deliver it in a later phase, but then never do. Just being close to hospitals or care facilities is often not enough. Having a facility within your estate – as at Celebration – guarantees care whenever you need it.
It also offers full ownership and not just life rights as most other retirement developments do. This means you will own the property in full, you will reap the full benefits of the capital growth and you will be able to bequeath it to your loved ones. Based on actual cases in previous Central Developments retirement estates, investors can expect to see returns on investment of up to 20% per annum, and in certain cases even more, making it the most lucrative residential property investment you can possibly make.
Since there is a very limited supply of retirement properties of this calibre and an ever-growing demand, they are selling fast – 100 units were sold in the first two weeks after the launch! This is testament to the fact that you will not get a better all-round retirement or investment property offering anywhere today. It is very competitively priced at 10% to 15% less than anything comparable in the market. This is possible because Central Developments do the entire development and sales process in-house, cutting out the middlemen and passing the savings directly on to the clients. With 979 units in total, Celebration is also the largest retirement estate the group has ever developed. Further savings are thus possible due to the economy of scale.
At Celebration buyers will be spoilt for choice with 19 different floor plans to choose from including one and two bedroom apartments, as well as two and three bedroom cottages and houses with quality finishes throughout. The group has also gained a wealth of experience from their eleven previous developments, which have all been put to good use at Celebration. New kitchen designs including mid-level ovens, covered patios, low maintenance garden fences and PV thermal solar panels, are only a few examples of new improvements.
It is also the first retirement development in Gauteng to be registered for EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency) certification by the Green Building Council of South Africa. Energy saving technology and materials will result in at least 20% more energy savings than the norm, resulting in lower water and electricity bills at the end of the month. Furthermore, fibre internet connections to all the units will give you fast, reliable and affordable internet connection to stay in touch with all your loved ones (wherever they might be), make cheap phone calls and enjoy the latest internet entertainment services.
The magnificent 3 000m2 lifestyle centre, also fully operational from the first phase and the largest to date, will offer a dining room, recreation hall for a variety of social gatherings, games room, indoor heated pool, hair and beauty salon, doctor’s consulting room, convenience store, library and more – all within a beautifully designed and decorated space. And for those who enjoy the outdoors and nature there is a 2.7ha protected green area and walkways leading to seating areas where you can take in the beautiful views over the rolling hills of the area.
In addition to these extensive facilities, the estate boasts state-of-the-art security features. This includes a 2.4m perimeter wall topped with an electric fence, motion sensors, 24-hour patrolling security guards, a guard house with CCTV system and access control utilising traffic booms, spike barriers and license verification, which ensures that the highest level of security is provided. For further peace of mind every resident has a mobile panic button in case of an emergency which is linked to the frail-care unit and guard house.
So don’t be overwhelmed by the daunting prospect of retirement and come visit the Celebration Retirement Estate show house village which is open 7 days a week from 09:00 to 17:00 to see what a community where retirement is truly celebrated looks like. You can also visit www.retirenow.co.za or phone 0861 73 84 73 for more information.
