Meet the Team: Clive Greene

Driving sales at Blythedale Coastal Estate is a twelve-strong team of professional estate agents.  Based at Simbithi Office Park on Simbithi Eco Estate, the agents also train and mandate external agents.

Blythedale resident, Clive Greene, is well-known in the Ballito area, having owned the Pam Golding franchise from 2005 to 2013. Clive is currently an executive agent for eLan Real Estate marketing properties on Blythedale Coastal Estate and within the Ballito area. He says the North Coast is brimming with potential and he fields a consistent flow of enquiries.

For Clive, the migration north is a daily reality. “We’re seeing Umhlanga residents choosing to move away from the commercial busyness that’s overtaken the ‘village’.” Another trend he’s noticed is the Jo’burg commuter. “Families choose the North Coast for the lifestyle.  As a compromise, the parents keep their Jo’burg-based jobs and commute – it’s only a one-hour flight – and fill in with working from home where they can.”

He says that a major constraint for sales on the North Coast is a lack of stock below the R2 million price point. “Ballito’s commercial growth has brought job opportunities to the area but, for many, property in the area remains unaffordable,” he observes.

“The speed with which the more affordable stands at Blythedale Coastal Estate moved proved these buyers’ pressure on demand.”

Having lived in Blythedale for seven years, Clive waxes lyrical about life in the area “It’s like living on your own private island,” he says. Enjoying a walk followed by a swim on the unspoilt beaches appeals to him and fiancée, Elsie, the most.

For someone who has grown up ‘on the land,’ Clive is drawn to the natural beauty and serenity at Blythedale Coastal Estate. “The bird life here is spectacular. Sightings of all three of southern Africa’s big eagles are commonplace.” That’s the Marshall, Crowned and Fish Eagle – each a rare treat to observe. Lower down the food-chain, he also finds the two types of guinea fowl on the estate – the helmeted and crowned – a welcome sight.

After a barrage of personal tragedies, Clive sought respite on a cattle ranch deep in the Mozambican bush. “It was a pioneering experience,” he reminisces. “And probably just what I needed at the time. Poachers shot at me with their bows and arrows, a cow pinned me to a fence, I broke bones and was struck down by malaria more times than I can remember. After two years I had regained my lust for life.”

Choosing to take a glass half full approach, Clive doesn’t deny that the economic and political climate is an unwelcome distraction in the property market right now. “I’m an optimist and don’t let the sideshows get to me,” he says. Having signed an impressive value of deals this year, his optimistic strategy seems to be paying off.

The proof is in the pudding. From a percentage growth perspective, property values on KZN’s North Coast are bucking world trends and out-performing  Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Contact Clive at our Simbithi offices on 032 946 3244 or clive@elan.co.za.

Clive and Elsie are ably supported onsite by Charlton Botha and Sarah Liversage. Managing all admin is the dynamic duo – Tania Evert and Jackie van Dyk.