When South African expats Greg and Rayne Tebbutt expressed interest in owning a property in Gqeberha, they did not expect to find an agent so determined to see them realise their dream of living on two continents.
Nor, for that matter, did they expect someone to be so “energetic”.
Meeting Remax agent Alan Moore tends to have that effect on people, and it was no different for the Tebbutts.
Connecting with the well-known real estate guru proved to be the final piece of what could have been a complex puzzle for the couple, who bought a property at Sardinia Bay Golf & Wildlife Estate in November.
Their decision to do so arose from a family holiday at Kariega Game Reserve near Kenton-on-Sea last year, when it struck them just how much they missed their own country.
Having been in the United States for the best part of a decade, they recognised that South Africa, its people and natural beauty would always be part of them. They also wanted this for their two young boys.
A family friend advised that if they ever decided to buy a property in their homeland, they should look no further than this estate in Sardinia Bay as the “bush feels like you’re in Kariega”.
When Greg flew back to America, Rayne stayed behind in her hometown of Gqeberha, where she attended Alexander Road High School and Nelson Mandela University as a young woman.
Greg and Rayne Tebbutt have bought a property at Sardinia Bay Golf & Wildlife Estate and will eventually split their time between the US and Nelson Mandela Bay. Photo Full Stop Communications
While browsing the internet one day, she came across a property for sale on the estate and immediately contacted her husband.
Greg explained that their discussions always came back to the question, “Why can’t we create our own destiny?”
“We had always wanted to live on two continents,” he said.
Fate may have a played a big hand in directing Rayne to Moore. At the time there were two agents advertising the site and she just so happened to call him first.
“I phoned him out the blue and we had a wonderful conversation. I really liked him. He has been amazing every step of the way,” she said.
“He’s even introduced us to our builder even though there’s nothing in it for him. He has such great ideas and always picks up his phone to help.”
Greg agreed that Moore always went above and beyond for them.
“We had plumbing and geyser issues and he sorted it out. He really batted for us.”
Like their agent, whose positivity and boundless energy they found incredibly refreshing, the couple believe there is a huge amount to celebrate about Nelson Mandela Bay.
Living abroad has taught them that, despite problems, the city and province have a lot going for them.
“Alan feels that South Africa will wake up and discover what the Eastern Cape is really about. We believe this too,” Rayne said.
“PE (Gqeberha) has wonderful schools and just look at all the new businesses in Main Road Walmer. My favourite restaurant, Muse, is there, Vovo Telo is there.
“We also have great hospitals and shops.”
She predicted “an explosion in this part of the world” because Cape Town was becoming very busy and developed.
The Tebbutts will rent their new home out for the time being but in the next few years will start to divide their time between the States and Gqeberha.