When Cape estate agents say (as they often do) that the particular area in which they operate has been by and large unaffected by the recession, they are sometimes accused of talking the market up.

However, Sue Bust of Anne Porter Knight Frank recently came up with statistics which prove that Tokai residential property above the M3 highway (which contains 90% of Tokai's homes) has in the first nine months of this year in every way seen a steady improvement on the same period of last year.

From 1st of January to 30 September, according to Propstats, 59 free standing homes were sold. This was a 20% plus increase on the same period last year, which in itself was a "good" year with 30% increase in the same nine month period in 2008. Furthermore, the average sale price this year was R3 456 975 - a significant increase on the year before - and the difference between the asking and achieved prices was 14,3% which is also an improvement on 2009, when it was 16%.

Bust and her co-agent at APKF, Barbara Stephenson, say that Tokai homeowners are aware of the steadily increasing value of their properties and, therefore, are usually reluctant to leave. One home which the owners have loved and cared for but which is now on the market, is a 340m² five bedroom Cape Dutch manor house known to be "at least" 90 years old. Unlike many historic homes, it has ample bathroom space (four bathrooms) and a number of efficient modern fittings including a laundry, opening to a courtyard, and a sophisticated built in braai on the entertainment patio. There are three reception rooms, a study and garaging for two cars. Living area floors are tiled in terracotta tiles and the ceilings are supported by attractive yellowwood beams.

A low werf wall encloses the garden and a swimming pool in typical Cape Dutch style. The front gable, says Bust, is one of the most attractive in the Cape Peninsula and is complemented by well maintained green shutters.

Lanice Steward, MD of Anne Porter Knight Frank, has commented on several occasions that there is always a significantly large number of buyers who feel that, if they live at the Cape, it should be in one of the Cape Dutch homes for which the area is known internationally.

"This home, which has great charm and character, is not only wholly authentic, it is also well equipped and comfortable to live in - with easy access to the Tokai/Silvermine/Elephant’s Eye mountain range and the nearby retail complexes. We expect demand for it to be strong."

The list price, R3,795 million, is, says Bust, competitive.

For further information contact Sue Bust and Barbara Stephenson n 021 671 9120.