Navigating property with precision and care
THE BUYER’S GUIDE
Defining luxury
In the landscape of South Africa’s top-tier properties, true luxury transcends mere price points. Every one of the properties in our portfolio has been handpicked for its extraordinary location and that elusive magical character that captures your heart. Ours is a curated collection that uplifts, inspires and appeals to your every sense – allowing you to buy your dream lifestyle.
HANDPICKED HAVENS
We discover!
We source beautiful properties for sale that exceed the ordinary. They don’t have to be perfect – but each one is authentic, filled with character and has that lovely Perfect Hideaways’ soul and charm.
THE INSIDE CONNECTION
We unlock!
Our long-standing relationships with luxury homeowners grant us privileged insight into South Africa’s most extraordinary homes. This bespoke network allows us to introduce buyers to exceptional properties before they ever appear on the open market.
THE ART OF LIVING
We inspire!
Our sales portfolio is curated to allow buyers to step into the lifestyle of their dreams. We seek out places that evoke a heartfelt sense of connection, that inspire and uplift.
HANDPICKED HAVENS
We discover!
We source beautiful properties for sale that exceed the ordinary. They don’t have to be perfect – but each one is authentic, filled with character and with that lovely Perfect Hideaways’ soul and charm.
THE INSIDE CONNECTION
We unlock!
Our long-standing relationships with luxury homeowners grant us privileged insight into South Africa’s most extraordinary homes. This bespoke network allows us to introduce buyers to exceptional properties before they ever appear on the open market.
THE ART OF LIVING
We inspire!
Our sales portfolio is curated to allow buyers to step into the lifestyle of their dreams. We seek out places that evoke a heartfelt sense of connection, that inspire and uplift.
Why partner with us?
In the world of top-tier properties, choosing the right representation transcends conventional agency relationships. The finest properties often change hands discreetly, never reaching public listings – making connected representation essential. Perfect Hideaways Real Estate exemplifies this specialised approach – leveraging deep regional expertise in areas like Robertson and the Cape Winelands, maintaining absolute client discretion, and providing concierge-level service throughout the acquisition process and beyond.
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Global network access
As an elite agency, we maintain international connections, which facilitates cross-border transactions and provides access to high-net-worth buyers and sellers worldwide – critical for properties commanding eight-figure valuations.
Off-market expertise
The most desirable properties seldom appear in conventional listings. Our Private Collection is our select portfolio of discreetly available properties for sale that we show exclusively to qualified buyers, protecting seller privacy and exclusivity.
Micro-market knowledge
As true luxury specialists, we possess a granular understanding of neighbourhood dynamics, architectural significance and subtle valuation factors that distinguish extraordinary properties from merely expensive ones within South Africa’s diverse luxury landscapes.
The finer details
REGISTERED. Our professionally qualified real estate agents are registered with South Africa’s Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA). This is the official body that oversees estate agents, ensuring they meet competency standards and can be held accountable to a professional code of conduct.
CONNECTED. We work exclusively with South Africa’s top conveyancing firms. These specialist property-law firms legally transfer property ownership, handle complex paperwork and protect clients’ interests throughout the purchase process. They manage the legal and administrative tasks, such as preparing deeds, arranging property searches, registering the mortgage bond and ensuring the transaction complies with all laws and is free from disputes or encumbrances.
EXPERT. We are extremely well-versed in dealing with local and international buyers, and we also partner with leading firms that offer foreign-buyer property solutions. This includes expert guidance on exchange control, tax structure and compliance, visa and immigration support, banking assistance, and more.
Our hideaways are handpicked
We have a distinctive approach to sourcing bespoke properties, going above and beyond to track down extraordinary properties in spectacular locations. This means you can have confidence that every property in the Perfect Hideaways Real Estate portfolio has been preselected for its star quality.
How do we do this? Our boutique real estate agency – for discerning buyers looking to invest in their own dream hideaway – is a natural offshoot of Perfect Hideaways – the multiple-award-winning holiday rental company Helen and David Untiedt co-founded in 2005. They’ve always made it their mission to find the most beautiful hideaways imaginable to share with those who want to ‘escape the ordinary’. The Perfect Hideaways journey has been about identifying precisely what it is that makes a home ‘perfect’ – and personally vetting every single property.
It’s not every property that fits the Perfect Hideaway vision. “It is important to us that we stay true to our identity and ensure that the properties we list fit our strong brand ethos. It takes a lot of hard work, research and in-person travel to vet the properties that are offered to us,” explains David. “I think people understand what we are offering. Those who feel their property fits our ethos approach us first. We also have a very good reputation in the market and this draws the right opportunities to the company.”
Our pick of prime locations…
At the very summit of South Africa’s property market, location is far more than a point on a map – it is the heartbeat of a lifestyle. The most discerning buyers understand that the right address shapes daily experience as much as it shapes long-term value. Beyond the glittering allure of a sun-drenched Clifton villa or a hidden Franschhoek vineyard, it is the quiet details that define exceptional places: streets that whisper history, services that run seamlessly despite the country’s unique rhythms, and nearby experiences that feel effortlessly made for you. Here, home is not just a dwelling – it is a life beautifully framed by its setting.
A long, lovely swirl of forest, mountains, sea and sky – the Garden Route is nature showing off. Think powder-white beaches, tranquil lagoons and ancient forests – a paradise of small-town charm and natural splendour… View more
Think vineyard views, long lazy lunches and golden light spilling over the mountains. The Cape Winelands is where old-world charm meets modern indulgence – oak-lined lanes, historic estates and exceptional homes… View more
Why buy in South Africa?
The luxury property market in South Africa has never been stronger – the latest “Africa Wealth Report 2025” by Henley & Partners and New World Wealth names South Africa as the wealthiest country on the African continent. But it’s the lifestyle here that fuels demand and makes owning a home here so irresistible – both for permanent residents, holiday-home owners and for swallows, who flit back from overseas every summer to make the most of our sunshine living. But there are sensible reasons to purchase a home in South Africa, too…
Accessibility
Currency advantages make South African luxury properties exceptionally accessible for international buyers – and at Perfect Hideaways Real Estate we are remarkably well-positioned to navigate the complexities of international property transactions. We make sure our international buyers have a smooth and compliant experience.
Measured rewards
Did you know that when you’re not in residence, you can earn a rental return on your investment if you wish to put your hideaway in our sister company Perfect Hideaways’ short-term holiday-rental portfolio? South Africa is high on the global hot list as a fabulous holiday destination, and Perfect Hideaways knows exactly which areas are in high demand – from the glitz and glamour of Clifton Beach to the wild beauty of remote safari destinations; from the Cape Winelands to languid tropical islands.
Upward momentum
Hideaways that are in popular holiday areas have demonstrated an excellent appreciation in value over the last decade.
The luxury trifecta
True luxury in the real-estate world is about more than just a home – it’s where spectacular settings, effortless service and exclusive connections come together. At Perfect Hideaways Real Estate, we hunt down South Africa’s hidden gems, handle every detail with care, and give you the inside track on the properties everyone dreams about. The result is a lifestyle that’s as seamless as it is extraordinary.
LOCATION
Exceptional settings
We source beautiful properties for sale that exceed the ordinary. They don’t have to be perfect – but each one is authentic, filled has character and has that lovely Perfect Hideaways’ soul and charm.
CONCIERGE SERVICE
Bespoke support
Expect personal, responsive service and individual attention throughout the sales process. From private viewings to bespoke inspections and complex paperwork, every detail is handled with care, ensuring your property journey feels effortless from start to finish.
INSIDE ACCESS
Word-of-mouth network
LOCATION
Exceptional settings
We source beautiful properties for sale that exceed the ordinary. They don’t have to be perfect – but each one is authentic, filled has character and with that lovely Perfect Hideaways’ soul and charm.
CONCIERGE SERVICE
Bespoke support
Expect personal, responsive service and individual attention throughout the sales process. From private viewings to bespoke inspections and complex paperwork, every detail is handled with care, ensuring your property journey feels effortless from start to finish.
INSIDE ACCESS
Word-of-mouth network
Discerning buyers compete for the most sought-after properties – so it’s more important than ever to have the inside track. Our vast global network ensures every client benefits from insight, discretion and exclusive opportunities – giving you the ultimate inside edge.
What is the purchase process in SA?
1. Offer acceptance
Formal acceptance triggers conveyancing process and due diligence period.
2. Transfer documentation
Conveyancer prepares and submits transfer documents to relevant authorities.
3. Compliance certificates
Certification required to check compliance of electrical, gas and plumbing installations.
4. Rates clearance
Municipal certification confirming all rates and taxes are settled.
5. Transfer duty payment
A tax levied by SARS (the South African Revenue Service) when acquiring immovable property (unless the transaction is subject to VAT), calculated on sliding scale and capped at 13% of the sale price.
6. Deeds office registration
Final registration and official transfer of ownership.
Good to know…
South Africa’s property transfer timeline presents distinct challenges for luxury buyers accustomed to efficient international transactions. Understanding this process prevents unnecessary frustration and enables appropriate planning. The transfer procedure typically extends two to three months beyond offer acceptance – significantly longer than many international jurisdictions.
For foreign buyers
The process
1. Consultation
Assess goals and requirements.
2. Banking & exchange control
Introduction to our partner firm to set up foreign-buyer property solutions.
3. Tax registration & structure
Liaise with above firm to obtain a SA Tax Number (which is required to own property in South Africa) and establish optimal ownership structure.
4. Property search & selection
Identify and select ideal property.
5. Property purchase & transfer
Complete acquisition with proper exchange-control reporting and tax-efficient structuring.
6. Visa support, estate planning & tax management
Continuous support for rental income tax, capital gains and all compliance matters from partner firm.
Investing from abroad
Foreigners – whether individuals or companies registered outside South Africa – are welcome to invest in local property, within certain regulatory limits. Non-resident investors are not liable for South African income tax on their property holdings. Should they later decide to sell and repatriate the proceeds, the tax laws of their home country will apply to the transfer of those funds.
Financing options
South Africa’s major banks offer mortgage facilities to non-resident buyers under specific conditions. Typically, foreign purchasers may finance up to 50% of a property’s value locally, while the remaining balance must be brought in from offshore funds. Loan approvals are at the discretion of the bank and the South African Reserve Bank, with interest rates determined case by case in line with each institution’s risk policy.
Repatriating funds
Both your initial investment and any profit realised on resale may be freely repatriated, subject to local tax requirements. Capital Gains Tax will be deducted from your profit before funds are transferred abroad. It’s important that your title deed reflects your status as a ‘non-resident’ to ensure seamless transactions later on.
Bespoke approach
We specialise in providing genuinely individualised attention and bespoke service. From property valuations to guiding negotiations, we manage every stage of the buying process with skill and care. Always approachable and responsive, we make it simple to navigate property investment in South Africa. Our goal is to create a seamless transaction that leaves both buyers and sellers feeling confident and well looked after.