And Barry Davies, principal of local agency Homenet Kempton Park, notes that while change has impacted across the board, it’s in the upper price brackets that it has been the most startling.

“Areas such as Willow Water, Bluegill and Bishops Court in particular are all enjoying excellent demand and prices over the R1-million mark are commonplace, notably for security villages.”

Growing problems of traffic congestion elsewhere in Gauteng are a big driver of demand in this sector of the market, Davies notes: “Long commutes have become a major issue in the property market and Kempton, perhaps more than most, is enjoying new-found demand from the captains of industry and commerce because of its central location.

“The general expansion of international business between SA and its overseas markets, which has resulted in business boosts for trade-related service industries and manufacturers, has also had a ripple effect on demand for Kempton property.

“And now that ripple effect is permeating widely. The net result is that values in lower-priced areas such as the Birchleigh North extensions, Birchacres and Norkem Park, and middle to upper-priced areas such as Glen Marais, Glen Erasmia and Van Riebeeck Park, have all moved strongly upwards.

“As for the fundamental image of Kempton Park, there is a growing realisation that the town is not only strategically situated on major arterial routes, but is well served by all manner of amenities and has a wide variety of property options at competitive prices.”