Property fund Laptrust Imara I-Reit made a net profit of Sh99.6 million in the six months ended June, marking its first financial report since its listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Laptrust said it had made Sh167.1 million in rental income from its property portfolio which it valued at Sh6.8 billion in the review period, while utilities and interest income contributed Sh36.2 million to the fund’s revenues. Rental income would give the Reit an annualized rental yield of about five percent. Properties that are held under Imara include CPF Metro Park, CPF House, Pension Towers, Freedom Heights Mall and Service Plot, Man Apartment and Nova Eldoret. The Reit is however not distributing any of the net earnings to unit holders (shareholders) on an interim basis, citing the ongoing transition following its listing in March. “Due to the ongoing transition period, the Reit manager has not declared any interim dividend for the period ended 30th June 2023,” said Laptrust. The Laptrust Reit is one of two listed on the NSE—the other being ILAM Fahari I-Reit—while property developer Acorn has issued development and investment Reits built on its student units. The Acorn Reits are unlisted but trade on the over-the-counter (OTC) market….

I have read your series on leasing and licensing office spaces. It is my long-term plan to purchase my own office space. How do I go about due diligence given the many scams in the market? Collins Dear Collins, below I will set out some factors to consider when doing due diligence for purchasing a property. Once you have identified a suitable location and are ready to transact then this is where the legal process begins. It begins by identifying suitable premises and doing a site visit to inspect the premises. Once you have done the site inspection and are satisfied then the next step is to do due diligence. Request a copy of the title deed and carefully check the title. It will reveal details such as the tenure of the land. Is the land a freehold or a leasehold? A leasehold means that the government has granted the owner a long-term lease, which is usually renewable. If leasehold you will need to check the remaining term of the lease. For example, if the title says 99 years from 1924, this means that the lease term has expired. The owner will, therefore, need to apply for a renewal. A…

Investing in real estate is a popular strategy for people saving for retirement especially among the so-called FIRE brigade, who are racing for early Financial Independence and Retirement. Not a bad idea to own some real estate. Great if you have 10 percent down and are okay with leverage financing. For now, though, that may not work very well. Financing used to be cheap. It isn’t anymore, at least not right now with rising rates. But even if you did, betting in the right direction with borrowed money is much like buying stocks with borrowed money. Sometimes it works really well. Other times, it’s a total wreck. But if you’re thinking of following suit and investing in real estate, don’t just answer to TV ads pushed by real estate firms, check out the market too. Real estate investment trusts (REITs), which are listed entities that invest in rent-yielding assets and distribute most of their income as dividends, are another alternative. Part of the logic behind the REITs is simple. The trusts are required by law to pay out 90 percent of their taxable income in yield. That’s appealing to those who may not get that much income from some mutual…

The real estate industry is both highly competitive and immensely rewarding. To succeed and thrive in this dynamic field, it’s essential to have a growth-oriented mindset and employ effective strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional or just starting out, this article presents valuable insights and actionable tips to propel your real estate business to new heights. Build a Strong Network: One of the foundations of success in real estate is establishing a robust network. Invest time and effort in building relationships with potential clients, fellow agents, brokers, contractors, and industry influencers. Attend networking events, join professional associations, and leverage online platforms to expand your reach. A strong network can provide valuable referrals and collaborative opportunities, helping you tap into new markets and grow your client base. Leverage Digital Marketing: In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for growing your real estate business. Develop a professional website that showcases your listings, provides useful resources for buyers and sellers, and highlights your expertise. Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to engage with your target audience, share valuable content, and advertise your services. Employ search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your online visibility…

Investing in a multi-family property for rental income can be a wise financial decision with numerous advantages. Owning a multi-family property provides not only rental income, but also a hedge against inflation, tax advantages, and potential long-term appreciation. The rental income generated by a multi-family property is one of the most significant advantages of owning one. Owners can earn more money by renting out multiple units than they would by renting out a single-family home. Because there are multiple tenants paying rent each month, multi-family properties provide more consistent cash flow than single-family homes. You can earn up to KES 60,000(app $500) for an unfurnished unit in a1 bedroom in Kileleshwa. Furthermore, multi-family properties can act as an inflation hedge. Rental prices tend to rise over time as the cost of living rises due to inflation. As a result, multi-family property owners can boost their rental income to keep up with rising costs. Another advantage of owning a multifamily property is the potential tax benefits. Property owners can deduct mortgage interest,property taxes,insurance, and repairs from their taxes. Furthermore, multi-family property owners can depreciate the property over time, lowering their taxable income. A multi-family property can provide long-term appreciation in addition…

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) recently reviewed electricity tariffs, for the first time including a bulk tariff for a three-year period effective April 1, 2023. The tariff will allow big consumers to buy electricity in wholesale from Kenya Power at discounted price and resell it to end-users, including tenants at a profit. Here is how the deal to buy and sell power will work; What is the motivation behind the bulk power tariff? The tariff is meant to improve efficiency in power distribution and relieve the burden on Kenya Power in pursuing defaulters. Bulk power purchasers will pay Kenya Power upfront, meaning that the State electricity distributor will protect every shilling from power sold under this arrangement. The bulk power purchaser will be left with the task of following up on payments from the consumer. Which band of consumers are eligible for the bulk tariff? The tariff is applicable to big electricity consumers, mainly businesses such as shopping malls and owners of vast residential areas. Domestic consumers do not qualify. These are customers in the C12, C13, C14, C15, C16 and C17 consumption bands who use upwards of 15,000 kilowatts per hour a month. What will it take…

The NationalLandCommission (NLC) has ordered that all 999-year-oldlandleases to multinational tea companies in Kericho, Bomet and Nandi counties be converted to the constitutional requirement of 99 years. NLC announced the decision in a Gazette notice No. 4512 dated April 6. The decision has brought joy to members of the Talai clan and the Kipsigis community who have been fighting for years over historicallandinjustices. “The Commission orders that all 999-year-old leases should be converted to the constitutional requirement of 99 years,” read the gazette notice in part. The Commission gave the orders following an investigative hearing of historicallandinjustices complaints taken to NLC in 2017 by the county government of Kericho on behalf of the Talai clans and the Borowo and Kipsigis self-help groups versus the colonial government and the government of Kenya. The Commission recommended that a resurvey be done on thelandsbeing held by the tea estates in three counties to determine if there is any surpluslandor residue to be held in trust for the community by the county government for public purposes. It further added that the renewal of thelandleases be withheld until the county governments and the multinationals reach an agreement. “The Commission further recommends that the renewal of…

It was billed as a game-changing one-stop-shop, but two years since its launch, Ardhi Sasa is the bane of many stakeholders in the real estate sector. Lawyers, property financiers, property agents and surveyors estimate that transactions worth at least Sh100 billion are stalled at Ardhi House due to the inefficiency of the Ardhi Sasa system–an online national land information system– on delivering on the transaction processes and approvals required during conveyancing. Property players who represent buyers, sellers or those seeking equity release on their properties say over the last six months, thousands of their transactions have been pending at theArdhi Sasa system awaiting approvals with no given timeline. At the heart of the delay is the verification of surrendered original certifications based on physical files which have since been moved to Ruaraka for storage away from the Ministry of Lands headquarters in Nairobi. Physical verification “The whole cadaster needed to have been digitised and automated before rolling out the Ardhi Sasa system. Why say a system is digitised and still usephysical files for verification? It is even more disturbing when the physical files to be used for verification are stored in the other part of town and not at the…

Suppose you decide to purchase real estate to rent it out and generate passive income, then you need proper guidance to make the most of your investment. If you do not have the time or capacity to manage your rental property yourself, then consider outsourcing this task to a property manager. In either case, you need to properly understand how property management works. What is Property Management? Property management describes the supervision of residential, industrial, and commercial properties, ranging from apartments to duplexes and shopping centers. The property manager, in this case, administers the property on behalf of its owner, serving to preserve their investment interests by protecting the property’s integrity and value. How Property Management works A property manager may be the owner, or an intermediary between the owner of the property, and tenants of the property. A professional property manager has an excellent idea of the real estate industry and is poised to handle everything involved in the rental market. They work in favor of your interests by managing tenants, budgets, maintenance, rents, and rental property records. They know the right approach to screen tenants, handle payments, terminate leases, and effect evictions. Briefly, they manage the property on…

Let us face it; if you are living in an apartment, you probably do not have that dream bathroom featuring a Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower. You are probably cramped on space and do not have the opportunity to make any big changes. However, there are a few things you can do to optimize the space and make the bathroom look bigger than it actually is. You do not need to be an interior designer or undergo a big bathroom remodel to get the most out your small space. These small bathroom ideas should do the trick. 1. Step up your storage. Optimizing your storage space is crucial in a small bathroom. If you are like most people, your bathroom likely contains an abundance of toiletries. Having them lying all over, the place will look clumsy and make any small bathroom feel cluttered. Invest in products that improve organization, decrease clutter, and create open space. Think about adding shelving units, expanding under sink organizers, and compacting linen closets. Medicine cabinets are a great addition as they add storage and an extra mirror, which both help small bathrooms look larger. 2. Remove the clutter. Speaking of decreasing clutter, get rid of…

Justice Abigail Mshila held that if the asset provided as collateral or security fails to fetch the amount enough to settle the debt, a lender is barred from going for the guarantors. In a ruling that is likely to serve as a respite to many guarantors, the court further ruled that a lender is not entitled to any compensation if the asset held as security is auctioned and still the sums undue are not recovered. She held that auctions free up guarantors who then cannot continue to be part of collateral after the lender opts to auction assets owned by the principal borrower. The judge made the findings while setting aside a statutory demand issued by Ecobank to listed property developer Home Afrika for payment of a disputed Sh938 million loan. Justice Mshila said a lender cannot go for properties of a loan guarantor when it has already been allowed to sell assets of the principal borrower charged as security. Citing Section 97 of the Land Act, the judge said a lender is not entitled to any compensation if it is not in a position to recover the outstanding loan during an auction of the charged property. Ecobank had issued…

First-time homebuyers funded by savings and credit cooperative societies (saccos) will from July get a tax relief of up to Sh25,000 on their monthly salary in a proposed plan to amend the law by the Co-operatives ministry. Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui has pledged to push through the amendment to the Income Tax Act to extend mortgage reliefs to members of saccos who get loans to improve, build or buy homes for their own use. The deductions, which are equivalent to interest paid on home loans, currently apply to borrowers under commercial banks and mortgage lenders under Banking Act, building societies and National Housing Corporation’s tenant purchase scheme. “My ministry will work closely with… Kenya Revenue Authority to address the challenges affecting saccos on affordable housing… [including] alignment and operationalisation of the Income Tax Act to give effect to mortgage tax reliefs for the first-time home buyers who borrow from saccos by listing in the schedule qualifying mortgage loans providing institutions,” Mr Chelugui told sacco leaders during a forum on affordable housing in Nairobi. “This was entrenched through banks and we can extend the same to Saccos.” Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority chief executive Peter Njuguna assured the sacco chiefs the…

Persons who hold freehold or leasehold land where the right of occupancy is more than 21 years will be treated as the rateable owners if a Bill that will inform how counties tax property sails through Parliament. Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has tabled a Bill that seeks to provide for enhancement, certainty, uniformity and fairness in the levying of property rates by the 47 county governments. It will ensure that the government does not lose out on the appreciation of plots. Property rate is a tax on the value of a property, including land usually assessed by a rating authority with help of a valuer. “The Bill seeks to provide a buoyant source of revenue for county governments. The revenue is necessary to enable each county government to perform the functions assigned to county governments as set in the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution and enable county governments to realise development agenda,” Mr Ichung’wah said in a memorandum to the Bill. Property rates will be reviewed every five years in changes contained in the National Rating Bill 2022. If passed by lawmakers, the law will compel counties to review their valuation roll every five years. The proposed law will replace…

Kenya’s push to actualize a smart city at the Konza Technopolis has gained momentum with the roll-out of four new projects. The projects, under its second phase, are an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and Integrated Control Centre, the establishment of a Startup Ecosystem, the development of Smart Logistics in Konza and the development of the Konza-Nairobi Corridor Transport Network. The four projects under the Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) are backed by a grant from the government of South Korea. Konza Technopolis is a flagship project of Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic development and is set to become the country’s technology and innovation hub. “Konza Technopolis has identified several candidate projects for consideration and I am pleased to note that four additional projects have been approved for implementation during the second year of the development program,” ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said on Tuesday at the launch of the projects. The four projects follow the successful completion of targets in the development of Konza City in the first year. The Korea Trade-Investment & Promotion Agency and the Konza Technopolis Development Authority are implementing the projects on behalf of the two governments. Kenya is banking on the transfer of tech expertise from…

Ask just about any real estate agent to list the three most important things a property should have, and you will likely hear: “location, location, location.” But why does location matter so much? For starters, you cannot move a home at least not easily or inexpensively. When you buy a home in a good location, it is usually a solidlong-term investment. Real estate agents often advise their clients to buy the worst house a property that could use some tender loving care on the best block. Why? Because fixing up a home in a great neighborhood will give you the best return on your investment. Quite simply, it will be easier to sell later on. Conversely, you can buy a beautiful home that does not need any work. But if the block is sketchy or just plain bad, you could have a hard time selling the property at a decent price. So if “location, location, location” is so important, what makes a location good? Here are five characteristics to look for when buying a home. If you can get all five, chances are the home is a great investment. A safe neighborhood People want to live where there is little…

Owning an investment property is a huge achievement. However, while the idea of renting out your property as a new landlord can be both exciting and daunting, you need to set yourself properly to guarantee great returns on your investment. Suppose you are new to the property rental scene. In that case, there are several new developments in Nairobi and even around Kenya, you should be abreast of and pitfalls you must avoid to ensure you protect your investment and maximize your profits. These tips will not only strengthen your base in the property management industry but also set you up on the right path to becoming a professional landlord! 1. Get maximum value for your property You need to treat your property as a business, with the rent being your revenue. Therefore, not only should you ensure you maximize your rental returns, but you must also strive to see that rents are paid regularly and on time. You will have other expenses to cover – insurance, maintenance, etc. – so do not allow flippant tenants to affect your investment property cash flow. Of course, you need to bear in mind that the rental amount you will charge is determined…

Home rental management can be a complex and difficult task, but it can also be rewarding with the right approach and tools. Here are some pointers for effective home rental management: Carefully screen tenants: Finding the right tenant is one of the most important aspects of home rental management. It is critical to thoroughly screen potential tenants before renting out your property. Checking their credit history, employment status, and rental history is one example. This information can help you assess whether a tenant is likely to be dependable, financially stable, and respectful of your property. Establish clear rules and expectations: Once you have found the right tenant, it is critical to establish clear rules and expectations right away. This can include things like quiet hours, pet policies, and responsibility for maintenance. Having clear rules in place ensures that you and your tenant are on the same page and can help avoid misunderstandings or disputes later on. Regular property inspections: Inspecting your rental property on a regular basis can help you identify any issues that need to be addressed, such as maintenance issues or tenant damage. This also allows you to check in with your tenant and ensure that everything is…

Real Estate is a dynamic sector that has proven to provide a hedge against inflation both locally and internationally. The sector comprises of different themes such as residential, commercial office, retail, mixed-use developments, land, hospitality and Real Estate Investment Trusts. As an investment asset class, Real Estate has toppled other investment asset classes in terms of returns and risk involved, and as a result, more individuals and institutional investors are shifting their focus on investments to Real Estate, which continues to outperform other traditional investment asset classes. The improving infrastructural developments, growing population, growing middle class with improved tastes and preferences, and, entry of multinational firms has also continued to shape industry standards and hence encouraging investment in the Real Estate asset class. However, real estate investing can be daunting, due to the fact that; i) it is capital intensive, ii) it exists in a very dynamic market, and, iii) it requires a great deal of expertise for successful investment venture. Despite these, it is possible to reap substantially from real estate and the following are the key factors to consider when investing in it; Market Research This helps an investor to gauge the uptake, demand and general performance of…

Real estate is among the top contributing source of revenue for high-income earners and the government. Besides, it is among the industries working excellently to bridge the youth’s unemployment gaps. Noting this, Kenyans have decided not to be left behind, venture into it, and benefit from its merits. It has taken a quick turnout, and within a short time, there has been a constant change, reformation, and molding of Kenya’s economy. However, to continue seeing these benefits, note that several factors influence its operations. The factors have both positive and negative effects. Keep reading to understand this! 1.Demographics/ Population Demographics are very significant when it comes to real estate investment in Kenya. Often, it is overlooked, and many people do not understand its effect on real estate properties. It is the composition and distribution of people in a given area regarding age, population growth, and gender, income, and migration patterns. You will not build a 10 M mansion in an area encompassed by people earning 30 K or less per month. Similarly, singles and bedsitters will not be the best fit for a large family. That shows why a real estate investor has to narrow down to the desired property…

For decades, investing in land in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi was a sure bet and a safe haven in a market where prices doubled every two years driven by speculation, a bulging middle class and a club of high-net-worth earners chasing after assured returns at low-risk. But a Business Daily analysis of data covering the past five years challenges this trend, showing that at least seven of the high-end suburbs in Nairobi have lost value by up to 11 percent between 2018 and 2022, reflecting the stagnating demand for Grade A office space and high-end residential apartments as a result of oversupply. Historical land prices data provided by realtor HassConsultshows that land prices in Upper Hill, Kilimani, Parklands, Lavington and Gigiri declined by 11 percent, five percent, four percent and three percent respectively between 2018 and 2022. This means that an acre of land in these suburbs is cheaper today than it was five years ago, leaving investors who wanted to sell today scratching their heads, in a major market upset seen by some analysts as a ‘price correction’. Hass Consult says that Upper Hill was experiencing an oversupply of commercial office space that had seen developers adopt a “wait-and-see” attitude…

Pension scheme Laptrust has locked out retail investors from its newly created real estate investment trust by setting a minimum investment of Sh5 million for each party that may want to buy into the property fund in the future. Laptrust has received the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) approval to package its real estate assets into a fund called Laptrust Imara I-Reit and which will be listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The properties that will be held under Imara include CPF Metro Park, CPF House, Pension Towers, Freedom Heights Mall and Service Plot, Man Apartment and Nova Eldoret. “The Laptrust Imara I-Reit will be listed as a close-ended fund at Sh20 per unit (share) based on the net asset value of the scheme as at the time of listing, with a total of 346,231,413 units,” the regulator said in a statement. “The valuation of the I-Reit, at the listing, will thus be Sh6.9 billion. The units may only be transferred to persons who qualify as professional investors and at a minimum trade size of Sh5 million.” A closed-end fund’s shares are traded on the exchange but no new units will be created and no new money will flow into the…

Passive income is money that you earn without a regular daily time investment. Creating a passive income stream from rental income involves work upfront but allows you to reap financial rewards for years to come. One common passive income stream is real estate investing and rental management. Step 1: Research, Research, Research Before you even think about buying a rental property, you’ll need to do a substantial amount of research in your local area. First, take a look at what rental units are currently available in your area using a real estate database. This will give you a good idea of how much you can reasonably expect to charge in rent. Keep in mind that property amenities, location and size will also influence how much rent you can charge. You’ll also need to spend time learning about the laws you need to follow as a landlord. Some examples of law classifications you’ll need to study include: Laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship Laws against housing discrimination Laws regarding the eviction process Step 2: Select A Property and Do the Math After you’ve done your research on your local real estate market and housing laws, it’s time to choose a property. Select…

President William Ruto has announced plans to exempt first-time home buyers from paying stamp duty to all in a bid to ease house ownership costs among workers battling the rising cost of living amid largely stagnant pay. Dr Ruto said his administration would seek to strike a revenue balance by removing stamp duty for first-time homeowners and raising compliance for other property-related levies like land rates and rent. Currently, the exemption from stamp duty applies to first-time homebuyers of approved affordable housing units following changes to the law made by the previous administration. “We have said as a government that if you are buying a house for the first time, we can’t tax you. We’ll remove stamp duty. But when we remove stamp duty [for the first-time homebuyers], you should pay land rates because if you don’t where will we get funds for water supply, road construction, electricity connection and garbage collection?” posed Dr Ruto. The stamp duty is charged on the market value of the property at the rate of four percent in towns and two per cent in rural areas, and should be paid to the taxman within 30 days of contract execution to avoid penalties.

If you own a home that you no longer want to live in, you have a choice: sell or rent it out. To decide on the right path for you, you’ll want to consider the housing market as well as your appetite for becoming a landlord—a job that comes with many responsibilities. Renting your house: Pros and cons There are several advantages and disadvantages when you make the decision to rent. The most important thing is to be sure you’re up for the commitment. Pros 1. Safer for a buyer’s market. Selling in a buyer’s market puts you at a disadvantage. High supply and low demand typically drive down prices, meaning you may lose money on the sale. If you’re facing a buyer’s market, renting is a way to earn income while you wait for the market to improve. 2. Passive income. If you can command rent that surpasses your monthly mortgage bill, you’ll have a steady stream of passive income. 3. Continue building equity. If you’ve only owned the house for a short period of time, renting will allow you to hold onto your home and build more equity, especially if property values in your area increase significantly. If…

The following are some of the traits of good investments. An investment does not need to have all these traits, but there should be an acceptable reason for the absence of any one of them. For example, an investment does not need to provide income, if it is expected to grow in value. If it does neither, there is no point owning it. 1. Fairly valued If you overpay for an investment, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. Good investments are usually bought at a good price. With equity investing, valuation relative to future growth is key. Market timing may have its limits, but stock valuation plays a big part in determining future returns. Buying at a fair price is not necessarily the same as value investing, but the price should always be reasonable and based on reasonable growth assumptions. The same applies to other asset classes too. Real estate investments should be based on yield and not just on the assumption that the price will increase. Cyclical assets like commodities should be purchased after a down cycle when fundamentals begin to improve. 2. Underlying value will increase over time The best investments are more often than not assets…

Homeowners in Kirinyaga County whose children have left the nest are turning the empty rooms into money-making ventures as they capitalise on a shift in travellers’ accommodation preferences. “From our market research, we realised that many travellers now prefer to stay in small units instead of hotels,” says Peter Irungu, one such homeowner who has invested in the business. However, unlike elsewhere in the country where homestay investors employ individual strategies, in Kirinyaga they have partnered with the tourism players to ensure that high customer standards are met. “During the past devolution conference (2019), one thing was evident: there was an acute shortage of bed capacity to accommodate the over 35,000 guests we had received from the 47 counties,” says Lee Daniel, the Mt Kenya Tourism Association coordinator. The homeowners saw the low bed capacity as an opportunity to earn passive income and ran away with it. “We saw a gap in the market in terms of providing a homely environment where people could come in, unwind, relax, and sleep while on transit,” adds Mr Irungu who owns Mambo Sagana Comfort. Bob Waiganjo, the CEO and founder of Majibu Getaway says, “we embraced the homestay concept after realising that we…

There are many benefits to owning land. First, owning land can produce excellent returns. Generally, the land is considered a long-term asset that is tangible, usable, and of limited supply. Because of land being in limited supply, long-term trends have shown that land will continue to appreciate over time. Location is important, but the price is more important. Land is the most underestimated real estate investment option and sometimes even considered pointless. Unlike other investments such as stocks and commodities, there is always a demand for land. Some of the advantages of land ownership include cash returns on sale, lease income, and added assets, and potentially increased borrowing power. The rule of thumb to make the land a valuable purchase is purchasing the right piece of land at the right price. Vacant Land Requires Minimum Work As a landowner, you need not worry about maintenance and repairs. Why have to worry about things like leaking roofs, painting, HVAC, or other normal costs associated with other real estate. With virtually no maintenance costs and generally very low taxes, you can hold for the property indefinitely as an asset. Profits with a Buy and Hold Strategy In today’s electronic environment it is…

If you’re thinking about investing in real estate, you’re about to embark on one of the best investment journeys of your lifetime. Residential rentals offer benefits you won’t find with other types of investments. These benefits include: Cash Flow Unlike other investment vehicles, real estate investing enables you to generate cash flow every month by your tenants paying rent. You can then use this money to pay off your mortgage, if you used financing to purchase your investment. Once the mortgage is paid off, the full cash amount goes directly into your pocket. If you used cash to buy your investment outright, you can use the monthly cash produced by your investment right away to fulfill your financial goals, create another stream of revenue, or re-invest it to build a powerful portfolio of multiple income-generating properties. Wealth Accumulation When you use leverage to purchase an investment property, you are essentially using “other people’s money” to build your wealth. Additionally, you don’t need to have a large initial investment than if you pay in full cash, only around 20% for the down payment in comparison to the full price of the home if you pay in full cash. As the home…

Understanding the basics of negotiating, dealing with problematic situations, and finding an appropriate solution for everyone involved is the best way to keep problems at bay. Below are some simple steps for dealing with landlord-tenant confrontation that both you and your property manager can use. Listen to Understand, Not Just Respond De-Escalate with Purpose Go in With a Resolution in Mind Acknowledge Mistakes Follow Through Listen to Understand, Not Just Respond Typically, conflict occurs due to one party having unmet expectations or the feeling of not being heard. Therefore, leading to frustration and anger, especially when it involves their rental home. For instance, perhaps a tenant feels their maintenance concern fell on deaf ears; maybe there is a discrepancy over billing or even a disagreement over who is responsible for a broken appliance. That said, helping a tenant or fixing the situation requires a complete understanding of what their complaint truly is. So, remain calm and hear them out. Remember to ask questions if you need clarity but never interrupt or devalue the tenant’s feelings. De-Escalate with Purpose Regardless of what the situation is, meeting anger with anger serves no one. Instead, remain calm and listen to what the person…

The National Housing Corporation (NHC) is seeking Sh7 billion from private investors to help fund, build and transfer 3,500 low-cost houses in Athi River, Machakos County. NHC acting managing director Patrick Bucha said the deal under a Public Private Partnership model will see the corporation collect rent and pay the private financiers within a period of between 15 to 20 years. This will allow investors to recoup their capital over the period after which the lease will terminate and ownership revert to NHC. The corporation says the participation of private investors in housing development projects will result in faster project implementation and will inform off-plan purchases from their customers. “We are looking for Sh7 billion through IFC under the Public Private Partnership model. Under this deal, the investor coming in through IFC will be able to finance, develop and transfer the houses to us so that he can get back his money,” Mr Bucha said in an interview on Thursday. The houses are part of the 10,500 units at Stoni Athi Waterfront City set to be developed on a 150-acre piece of land. They are composed of one, two, and three-bedroom unit houses that come with social amenities such as…

While it’s often assumed that everyone has a fundamental understanding of personal finance, there is a growing need for financial education. Ushering younger generations into a stable financial future is one of the best things you can do for them Instead of making smart financial decisions that pave the road to a comfortable life and retirement, many people end up spending their adult lives climbing out of the financial hole they created when they were younger; fortunately, there’s a way to avoid this. Investing in financial education will lead to wise real estate decision making, financial success and freedom. If you’re working with millennials who are looking to invest, offer them the following advice: Have at least three months of income saved before investing in property or the stock market. This will prevent extreme financial hardship should job loss, an accident, or some other unforeseen mishap occur. A high yield savings account or a money market account is a great place to save a down payment; traditional savings accounts will grow funds, but just barely Buying versus renting Housing is the largest single expense for most people. While buying a home can cost a pretty penny, renting might cost your…

Successful investors have some common traits. Following their traits increases your chances of being successful when you are new in the industry. Successful real estate investors undergo several stages in order to gain/maintain their success in the industry. Simply being successful in real estate investments is not an overnight adventure but a combination of many traits possessed by investors in that industry. By starting a real estate investment is not enough to gain success. It is a process and a series of growth that every investor goes through before fully understanding the business/ gaining from the investment. There are different ways in which one can grow and accumulate wealth in real estate industry. Looking at traits of fellow investors in real estate industry, it is not hard to make money and improve financial situation.It is easier to learn from fellow investors by following the examples for what they did to succeed instead of going through trial and errors. There is always a room to improve regardless of how long you have been in business. Here are some of the traits that most successful real investors have in common; Know Your Limits When you are starting out, it is important to…

We have compiled real estate marketing ideas you can use to promote your businesses. These apply whether you’re getting started or are an experienced agent. As a real estate agent, one question is always on how to boost your sales so that this in turn increases your income. In this article, we shall go over 9 different things that you can do as a real estate agent that will result in more income. Read to the end and you can identify the right solution for yourself. 1. Expand Your Sphere of Influence One way to build contacts and generate leads is throughnetworking.Networking focuses on generating real estate leads via the people you already know, including your family, friends, classmates, business associates, sports team members, and even service providers (e.g., your doctor and hairstylist). 2. Work under a seasoned mentor Working under a mentor who is in line with your area of specialization is a good idea. Through experience, such a mentor is able to identify opportunities in the market that a beginner may not identify. The mentor will also identify threats that may face the business and provide solutions on how to mitigate them. This will save so much of…

The ownership of land in Kenya is not absolute and this right can be lost any time Land Rights in Kenya: In 2010, Kenya celebrated the passing of a new Constitution. One of the big wins for Kenyans was the clear provisions on land. The right to ownership and use of this highly coveted asset was no longer left to the whims and caprices of Parliament – it was and is guaranteed in the Constitution. The Constitution sought to buttress this right by drawing a clear distinction between private land, public land and communal land and a distinction between individual rights vis a vis the collective rights of the people of Kenya. Private Ownership of Land The Constitution defines private land as land registered and held by any person under any freehold and leasehold tenure, and any other land declared as private land under an Act of Parliament. In 2012, another big win for Kenyans was the passing of the Land Act, the Land Registration Act and the National Land Commission Act which codifies and consolidates all laws relating to land in Kenya. The passing of the said Acts buttressed the right to private ownership of the land. The Constitution…

House prices continued to decline in the fourth quarter of 2021, at a much faster rate than what was recorded in the third quarter. The Kenya Bankers Association – House Price Index (KBA- HPI), showed that house prices contracted by a higher rate of 3.99% during the quarter, compared with a contraction of 3.70% in the third quarter. The steady decline in house prices broadly reflects the headwinds in the economy that influenced both demand and supply. With demand depressed, the change in house prices was not drastic, partly because of the downward stickiness of prices – a typical characteristic of the housing market. The report attributes the decline to a general price correction trend as well as slow economic growth and weakened households’ purchasing power. In the second quarter, the prices softened by 1.62%, 3.70% in the third quarter and 3.99% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Kenya Bankers Association Research and Policy Director Dr Samuel Tiriongo noted that the sharp drop in prices in 2021 reflected subdued investments that limited the rollout of new supply amidst easing demand. “The broader construction and real estate sector manifested declines in the growth trajectory in the fourth quarter of 2021, growing…

The housing financier said on Monday that the Kenyan government should address the high cost of land and building material. Land prices in Nairobi constitute up to 60 percent of the total cost of a housing unit in a move that looks set to derail efforts by the state to speed up the development of affordable housing units, Shelter Afrique has said. The housing financier said on Monday that the Kenyan government should address the high cost of land and building material, which they said, would worsen the provision of affordable housing in the country. The firm said that studies in the market have revealed that land prices should constitute between 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of a housing unit for it to be affordable, but this is not the case in many African countries including Kenya. “In Kenya, for instance, the cost of land makes up between 40 percent and 60 percent of the total cost of a housing unit, like the case with Nairobi which is the most expensive in the entire continent of Africa,” said the firm’s acting managing director and chief financial officer Kingsley Muwowo. “How do you deliver affordable housing when you’ve…

It is Important for a renter to follow certain protocols, once they decide to exit an apartment at the end of their tenancy period. Vacating a house in an unplanned manner, might not only lead to legal troubles but also monetary losses for the tenant. In this context, we look at the things that a tenant must do, while leaving a rental home. Serve a notice to the landlord As specified in the rental agreement, the tenant should serve a notice to the landlord, notifying the latter about his intention to vacate. The same is true, if the landlord desires to get his premises vacated. Since rental agreements in the residential sector typically talk about a one-month notice period, you have to let your landlord know one month in advance, about the planned exit. In case the notice period stated in your rental agreement is longer, you will have to serve the notice accordingly. If you are in a hurry to shift, because of any personal or professional reason, you may have to pay the rent for the entire notice period, as stated in the rent agreement. Check the maintenance aspects in the agreement An ideal rental agreement would also…

Landlords may have expected to more than double their earnings fromhouse rents when infrastructure transformed some of Kenya’s remote towns. It has, however, proven to be a difficult task. Despite new electricitylines and improved road networks, rents in many rural areas haveremained virtually unchanged. In other cases, initial rent increases were immediately overturned aftertenant protests and evictions. Many residents in rural areas, according to Joshua Mwangi, a tenant at abusiness in a village in Nyeri County’s Kieni, are low-income earners. Any attempt to charge them a price that will force them to live abovetheir means is met with opposition, even a boycott of one’s rental units. “The majority of people simply want a place to rest their heads in theevening.” “They aren’t searching for elegance,” he explains. “There is always another option for settling and avoiding a landlordwith high charges.” As a result, despite infrastructure expansion, therents charged stay mostly unchanged. Mwangi claims that rental houses timber in his village may be rented foras little as Sh500 per month, the same sum as before the village wasconnected to the national power grid. The majority of the houses have timber walls, while others have roofingsheets. Daily farmhand responsibilities pay roughly Sh250…

There are many finance myths persisting in the society as people are still glued to old school ways of investments. The old saying “it’s better to keep your money safe in your savings account than investing in riskier portfolios” doesn’t hold ground today. Most of the people still think managing personal finance perfectly is difficult in terms of complexity & planning. This blog is an attempt to reveal the existing myths related to personal finance and in turn, educate investors on how to plan and execute their finances. Myth #1: I’m too young to start investing When you’re young, it’s difficult to look too far into the future. You’re living in the moment and enjoying a vibrant social life. There’s plenty of time to think about investing when you’re older, right? Wrong. Time is of great advantage when it comes to investing. Long-term investment strategies tend to be less volatile and may help build your wealth through compounding of interest. Myth #2: Investing requires a substantial time commitment Many people believe that they must commit long hours to monitoring their investments – this couldn’t be further from the truth for certain type of investments. Many investments demand a long-term strategy…

Kitengela has recorded the highest increase in apartment rental prices among Nairobi’s satellite towns in the past year, driven by increased demand as more Kenyans moved farther from the capital city in search of cheaper accommodation. The Hass Consult property index for the first quarter of 2022 shows that apartment rents in Kitengeal have climbed by 16.9 per cent over the past year owing to growing demand beating other satellite towns such as Ngong, Ruaka, and Athi River which recorded growths of 8.3 per cent, 7.5 per cent, and 7.9 per cent respectively. Land prices in satellite towns also rose by 2.17 per cent in the quarter as compared to Nairobi’s suburbs which recorded a modest 0.11 per cent growth with investors betting on the growth of the towns driven by better accessibility through improved roads and demand buoyed by the sprouting up of universities in the towns.  The index shows Muthaiga was the best performing suburb in land prices growth at 3.11 per cent while Thika town emerged top in the satellite towns recording a 6.35 per cent growth. Satellite towns also recorded the strongest quarterly growth in apartment rents with Ngong and Kitengela at 5.5 per cent and…

The cost of living continues to rise, and naturally, people have to think about cost-saving measures. Business owners and property managers are no exception. Property managers need to find a way to keep overhead expenses low and tenant morale high, and property management companies are fishing for smart ways to keep costs down; from utilities to building maintenance and everything in between. If you call in the above categories, here are four ways that may be able to help you lower the operating expenses at your rental property. 1. Save water A lot of owners and managers are never aware of how much water is being wasted at their properties. Did you know that undetected leaks have the capacity of increasing your water consumption by nearly one-third of regular usage rates? A small leak can drown your profits down the drain. It is important to watch your water meter closely to spot sudden increase in water use. A leak could also emanate from somewhere underground, and it may be causing significant water damage as a result. Identify the problem and have it fixed immediately. Another important step is to reduce the rate of use. Consider incorporating special features designed to…

Whether you are an inexperienced first time landlord or a go it alone landlord who is fed up with the hassle of dealing with weekend maintenance calls, hiring a property management company to take care of your property and your tenants can be the perfect solution. Here are 8 great reasons why making the move to this style of property management can make really good sense. 1. Better screening of tenants First impressions can be deceptive and even the most plausible, honest looking people can prove to be difficult tenants. This is why property management companies or letting agents always take screening of potential tenants very seriously. A good company will carry out credit checks and evaluate references to make sure the chances of taking on responsible, reliable good quality tenants is as high as possible. After all, a tenant who pays their rent on time and takes care of your property is not only good for you, but is also a lot less hassle for a property management company. 2. Ensuring legal safety requirements are met There are a number of safety regulations that need to be met before a property can be let. A property management company will…

Making an apartment inspection checklist should be one of the first things you do when you decide to move. Moving into a new rental can be exciting, but it’s easy to overlook flaws in the new digs upon your arrival, simply because you’re caught up in the move. By making a rental inspection checklist, you can make sure you’re looking over your new home closely for any damage or concerns, not only so your landlord can fix it immediately, but so you won’t be at fault later. Ahead, learn all the ins and outs of making an apartment rental checklist. Why do I need a rental inspection checklist? An apartment inspection checklist is important to keep you focused when you move in. In the stress and excitement of moving in, it’s easy to overlook things or just get caught up in putting all your things away in your new home. If you make your checklist ahead of time, you can inspect each aspect of your rental as you start to put your home in order. An apartment inspection checklist also will help you spot anything you need to talk to the landlord about immediately. If you can get your landlord…

Initially, property development was rudimentary and straightforward, just focusing on the basic amenities, and enough space for parking or gardening. However, times have changed. We have a whole different generation that is tech-savvy, has unique tastes and know exactly what they want. They are considering these factors when hunting for property to purchase or rent: Within the city/convenience Gone are the days people used to invest in property located in the outskirts of a city. Millenials prefer to live in hip neighbourhoods in the city; posh and upcoming developments that are near service providers and entertainment joints for convenience. Buying vs Renting Real estate experts will testify that numerous rational millennials are keen on building or buying their first homes instead of renting. They are specific about what they want and don’t want, with a huge bias on specific trends in their homes; luxury, efficiency, and technology. Technology In fact, technology is the key determining factor for a young person to or not to invest in a property. This generation spends most of their time online; shopping, chatting, researching, and working using home Wi-Fi. This is why internet connectivity in homes is a major selling point. Network reception for cellular…

When you’re unhappy with certain aspects of your home, you may find yourself contemplating whether to buy new or renovate your existing space. There are pros and cons to both options, so let’s dig in. The benefit of renovating and staying put Renovating can be a hassle — but so can moving, and perhaps even more so. When you buy a new house, you’re signing up to pack up your existing home and move to a new one. And there are consequences to doing so. For one thing, living in a new neighborhood can be less convenient — you don’t know your way around, the stores aren’t the same, and the adjustment is potentially lengthy. Moving also means giving up the neighbors you like and the school district your children are enrolled in. That’s a big deal. Another good reason to renovate? You’ll have a home that caters to your specific needs. Say you’re unhappy with your outdated kitchen and want a new one. You could find a home with a brand new kitchen, but you may not love the color of the cabinetry. When you stay in your home and renovate, you call the shots with regard to improvements….

Buying or renting a home – which is best? It’s an age-old debate, but one that really comes down to individual needs and circumstances. To help you make the decision, we’ve explored the pros and cons of buying and renting and outlined everything you’ll need to consider. Whether it’s better for you to buy or rent will depend on your personal and financial circumstances. If you’re not able to afford a home of your own, renting is a great way to live in the area you like and in a property that suits you. However, owning a property can give you more security for later in life and enables you to put down roots and create a real ‘home’. Renting a home The advantages of renting Renting a property gives you more flexibility to move quickly Renting a property can be arranged quicker than buying a home Renting carries a lower financial risk than buying By renting, you won’t have to worry about maintenance or repairs By renting, you may be able to live in an area where you couldn’t afford to buy The disadvantages of renting By renting, you’re paying off your landlord’s mortgage rather than your own It’s…

Does a property owner have absolute power over the process of eviction? Property law has come a long way in addressing this. The law imposes restrictions to evictions. In this article, we shall look at different scenarios in which eviction is necessitated and how to legally evict a Tenant or an unlawful settler. There are different types of eviction in Kenya. In this piece, we shall cover evictions in the following areas: – Eviction of a Tenant at a residential unit; Eviction of a Tenant from business premises protected under Cap 301; and Eviction of unlawful/illegal settlers. Eviction of a Tenant at a residential unit: – The law has placed a few safeguards in respect of situations where a landlord in a residential unit intends to evict his tenant. These are those units where rent is paid periodically, for instance, monthly or quarterly in advance. The procedure to be followed majorly depends on how parties agreed in the first place. There is, however, a bare minimum, you cannot rightfully evict anyone without a Court order. The requirement of a termination notice There are landlord and tenant relationships whose agreements are not provided for in writing, oral agreements. They, therefore, do…

What is Capital Gains Tax (CGT)? CGT is tax that is levied on transfer of property situated in Kenya, acquired on or before January 2015. It is declared and paid by the transferor of the property Rate of Tax The rate of tax is 5% of the net gain.It is a final tax i.e. the Capital Gain is not subject to further taxation after payment of the 5% rate of tax.Net Gain is Sales Proceeds minus the Acquisition and Incidental costCGT is on gains arising from sale of property. How to Compute Capital Gains Tax Net Gain = (Transfer value – Incidental Costs on Transfer) – Adjusted Cost ( Acquisition Cost + Incidental Costs on Acquisition + Any enhancement Cost) What constitutes a transfer? If property is sold, exchanged, conveyed or otherwise disposed of in any manner (including by way of gift), whether or not for consideration; On the occasion of the loss, destruction or extinction of property whether or not a sum by way of compensation is received in respect of the loss, destruction or extinction unless that sum is utilized to reinstate the property in essentially the same form and in the same place within one year or…

Rent means payments received from a right granted to another person for use or occupation of immovable property which includes premium or similar consideration received for the use or occupation of property. Rental Income Taxation Under Annual Regime Rent is charged on actual amount received Expense incurred to generate rent is allowed under section 15 of the Income Tax Act. Tax is calculated under individual graduated scale or corporate rate of 30% In addition, rent on non-residential buildings (Commercial) is taxable under the VAT Act(No. 35 of 2013) – Laws of Kenya. How to determine Taxable Income Gross Rent income for the year: Property A – 5 units*Kshs. 20,000*12months 1,200,000 Property B – 10 units*Kshs. 15,000*12months 1,800,000 Total Rent income in Kshs. 3,000,000 Less: Allowable expenses (Kshs.): Land Rent/Rates …

Land grabbing is a chronic, malignant and deeply rooted problem and sadly a familiar tale to every Kenyan. Fraudsters are increasingly falsifying documents while conniving with civil servants to secure title deeds, robbing Kenyans of their precious land, damaging businesses and fuelling investor hesitancy. The problem stems from the unshakeable composition of these criminal networks. Historical cases have seen the involvement of individuals that hold sway on various rungs of our political, legal and regulatory framework. Indeed, incidents have included employees inside ministries, high-ranking political officials, and police officers. Land cartels are sophisticated, protected criminal structures built on such foundations that have become increasingly difficult to break down. Their actions are organised and robust. For example, land grabbers often claim they bought land from a deceased individual before their death, using forged ownership and sale agreements ratified by power-wielding cartel members. Police are then deployed to physically commandeer the land. At the same time, the cartels higher ranking individuals threaten, blackmail and cajole the rightful owners into deterring them from chasing justice. As a result, many individuals and businesses find themselves too scared or unable to fund the legal battle ahead of them. This pattern of events resonates with several…

Buying land is usually a sound investment because the land won’t go anywhere and you can improve upon it in the future. Besides the primary rule of location, it is important to learn everything you can about a piece of land before you buy it. Aside from learning all you can on paper, go see the land, and inspect it for yourself. Keep an eye out for these red flags when buying land. You’ll want to avoid these problems! The Surrounding Area is zoned for Other Use A land zone is how the local governmental authority determines how a specific portion of land can be developed. Commercial zones are designated for shopping centers and offices and industrial zones are set aside for manufacturing plants and storage facilities. Although the plot of land you purchase could be zoned for residential use, the area around you might be zoned for less than ideal neighbors. It might be empty now, but the municipality might have plans to build a nightclub or federal prison next door. Take a look at the long-term plan for the area and decide if you’re comfortable with the thought of who might move in next door. Covenants and Deed…

Kenyans are being duped into buying houses under the slum upgrading project in Mavoko, Machakos County, by unscrupulous individuals purporting to be the developers. In a notice on Friday, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga warned that the fraudsters are selling the units illegally. The PS said those targetted in the project have already formed housing cooperatives to mobilise resources to buy the houses. “The target beneficiaries are requested to be patient as the government works out a suitable tenure arrangement and affordable values for the houses,” said Mr Hinga. The PS warned that the government would not be liable for any losses from illegal home purchases. The Sustainable Neighbourhood Programme in Mavoko is part of the government’s efforts to boost access to affordable housing in the Nairobi Metropolitan area. The Sh1.6 billion project features 463 two- and three-bedroom units constructed in three clusters. The units will sit on a 22-hectare piece of land. Similar government housing projects have in the past been a target by fraudsters, prying on Kenyans desperate to own a home.

I recently joined Friends of Heritage Trust Kenya (FoHTK) at the invitation of a friend. Heritage Trust Kenya is a registered trust dedicated to the conservation and restoration of old buildings and their surroundings which tell our shared history. Last month, during a tour of old houses in Kiambu and Limuru, organised by FoHTK, I came across a social media post by John James Glassford of Australia, showing pictures of a house in their old coffee shamba, where “he lived for 20 years working on the farm in between soccer, rally driving, and young ladies!” On closer scrutiny, I realised that I recognised the house as one belonging to my friends, the Kareithi family in Gatundu. Originally known as Ridge Estate, the farm was established by 2nd Lieutenant George Glassford, a New Zealander who came to Kenya in 1919. The following year, he was allocated more than 1,000 acres on Gatundu Road — current Kenyatta Road — under the Soldier Settlement Scheme on which he planted 300 acres of coffee with the attendant infrastructure. He revived interest in golf at Ruiru Golf Club in 1929 where he was a captain in 1930 and president of the club in 1940. In…

Homeowners at a low-cost State housing project in Nairobi have been left puzzled by plans to sell parking spaces in a move that would leave some of them with nowhere to park their vehicles. State-owned parastatal National Housing Corporation (NHC), which is managing the Affordable Housing Programme project on Park Road, announced on Tuesday that it was selling parking spaces at the project. But the residents said the government did not disclose parking was excluded from their home purchase deals. “I am one of the beneficiaries and they now want us to pay for parking yet we were not told of this when we were buying the houses,” one of the residents said. The project consists of 1,370 units, including one-, two- and three-bedroom houses that were sold for Sh1 million, Sh2 million and Sh3 million respectively. The NHC is selling 100 square metres-sized parking lots starting from the ground floor up the sixth floor for a reserve price of Sh850,000 per slot at the establishment where 60 percent of the houses were reserved for civil servants with the remaining 40 percent for ordinary Kenyans. It is also leasing 226 square-metre-sized open parking slots on the ground floor for Sh3,000…

A Nakuru man has lost ownership of a three-acre parcel of land he failed to utilize for 42 years. Environment and Lands Court Judge Mwangi Njoroge in a judgment delivered on January 17, ordered the land registrar to cancel the registration of the title deed in the name of Wilson Kimalel and issue title in the name of Peter Wachira. Wachira had in October 2020 sued Kimalel. He sought orders that he be declared the owner of the parcel of land through adverse possession having cultivated it continuously anduninterrupted for over 41 years. He urged the court to lift a restriction on the land registered on August 22, 2001, since the Land Disputes Tribunals were abolished. Wachira testified that the land he had possessed was registered under Kimalel’s name, but Kimalel has never disturbed him for over 42 years. He produced photographs as evidence of developments on the land and an extract of title proving the land was registered under Kimalel’s name. Wachira, however, claimed that his brother had purchased the land before. He stated that after subdivision, the title was issued in the name Kimalel instead of his brother’s. He added that a dispute had been registered with Bahati…

A report released this week indicates that Kenya has added 180 people to the class of dollar millionaires. According to data provided by the Wealth-X for the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2018, the number of people with US$5 million (approx. Ksh 500 million) in net assets rose to 1,290 in 2017, a 16.2% increase from 1,110 in 2016. Out of the 1,290 individuals, 90 are worth US$50 million ( Ksh 5 billion) or more. However, the number of those worth US$500 million (Ksh 50 billion) or more is less than 10. The report adds that Kenya’s dollar millionaires worth at least US$5 million is expected to grow by 60.5% over the next five years to 2,070 in 2022. It is every individual’s dream to become rich. Popular musician 50 Cent debuted in 2003 with an album titledGet rich or diè tryin. He was right. Though one does not necessary need to have US$50 million to be considered rich, it is still worth trying. But without the correct mindset and mentality, such a dream can only remain that – a dream. It is important for one to be focused and to strive to reach those goals not by just sitting down….

Buying a home can be stressful and exciting all at the same time. It’s quite the adventure! It’s rare to find something that meets ALL of your requirements and fits in with your budget, whether that’s if you’re buying or renting.Often you need to look at the bigger picture and what potential the property could have within your budget. However it can be possible to find something that’salmostperfect for you and that with a few tweaks here and there, you can make it ideal for you. Keep an open mind From the outset, lower your expectations and keep an open mind. Perfection is often a pipe dream, so unless you want to be house hunting for many years to come or you have an endless budget, don’t assume you are going to find THE perfect house straight away with everything exactly as you want it. There may well be flaws with a lot of places you look at, for example, the bathroom could be too small or the wallpapering could be terrible but know that it’s what you do after moving in that counts. So while a house may not be perfect at the beginning, if the majority of it…

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, or have owned a few different properties in your lifetime, most of us have heard the terms ‘freehold’ and ‘leasehold’. Certainly, anyone who keeps up with the news has probably seen the run of horror stories about leasehold properties, and the often-complex set of obligations that they can place on owners. But these news stories rarely give a full picture of leasehold property ownership, and often make little mention of how it compares to owning a freehold property. So what exactly are freeholds and leaseholds? Essentially, the terms ‘freehold’ and ‘leasehold’ refer to the legal relationship that the owner of a property has to the land that their property resides on. With freehold properties (usually houses), the property and the land it sits on are bought and sold together, and are owned in perpetuity – the property owner owns both the property and the land. With leasehold properties however (often flats/apartments), only the property is bought and sold, and ownership of the land beneath the property – or the building it’s in – remains the separate property of a freeholder (sometimes referred to as the landlord). Because leaseholders don’t own the land beneath their property/building,…

Investing in real estate is a viable alternative to other risky investments and a great way to achieve financial freedom. With that said, there are some smart strategies you must consider to put yourself on the right path and ensure your real estate investment proves worthwhile and pays off. Let’s dive into some strategies that you can use to your advantage that will give you the best chances to build wealth from your properties over some time. Buy and Hold Investing in property and holding it for an extended period is a low-risk investment strategy that can garner favourable returns in the long run. Instead of selling the property based on market fluctuations, you will hold the property and collect income from rent to fulfill short-term cash-flow requirements as the property’s market value appreciates over time. You must conduct thorough research and choose an area primed for property value appreciation in the future. Consider factors like excellent infrastructure development, its transport network, top-class health and education facilities, and other similar amenities which potential buyers may find highly attractive. However, keep in mind the initial costs when choosing this long-term strategy. These would include agent commissions, property taxes and insurance, and…

The most successful people do not work for money, they let money work for them. This is one of the phrases synonymous with most investors. Investing entails putting money in a certain venture that generates profit for you either through your direct input or others’ inputs. One such investment is land and, in this case,a commercial plot that could be used for current business investments. However, before committing any amount of money to buy a commercial plot, one should consider the following factors. Infrastructural development This includes roads, electricity and water which are vital when establishing a business venture. The plot should be close to the main/tarmac road for easy access to the business by prospective customers and suppliers. Inaccessible businesses seldom survive. Electricity and water are important since their absence or scarcity could increase the cost of production, which eats into profits. Population In case you are buying commercial plots plot to establish a venture that deals in retail, it is important to have it in a place that is fairly populated since the residents will be your target market. Underpopulated areas may see your venture under-perform, while overpopulated areas may pose risks to your business due to lack…

If you’re like most young adults, moving out of your parents’ home when you turn 18 is one thing you look forward to most! It’s the first time you get a taste of independence. It’s also the first time you get to create your own space according to your style and comfort. However, it’s easy to get carried away with dreams of not contending with a curfew and living on your own. The reality is that moving out is a major challenge, and when you actually do it — a major achievement. It takes careful planning and execution of everything from budgeting to choosing a place that best suits your needs. In short, moving out isn’t easy. Most young adults need a guide to successfully transitioning from mom and dad’s home to their own apartment. Luckily, this is that guide! Here’s absolutely everything you need to know about moving out and how to nail getting your first apartment. Let’s dive in! 1. Figure out How Much Rent You Can Afford Usually, the biggest hurdle to moving out that young adults face is actually being able to afford their first apartment. Apartments aren’t cheap. Neither are the supplies to furnish a…

The biggest challenge anyone faces when seeking to invest in real estate business is money and the question people often ask is, how much do you need to make your first real estate investment? This includes knowing how much you will need to make that investment and is usually the most intimidating part in real estate investment. This is because you always have a variety to choose from, despite having started out with a different financial goal. This sometimes pushes one to change their mind and try to get something that looks better or sometimes more valuable than they had in mind. The initial goal has to change. The truth, however, is that you need not stress about having to change your budget or overspend. You don’t need to have millions in your bank account to make that real estate investment and become a property owner. When you set out to purchase property, it is important that you get this property through trusted real estate companies. So, here’s how much you need, to make your first real estate investment: Most real estate companies offer various payment options to their clients and as soon as you identify the property you want…

Landlords will now be allowed to evict tenants who default a one-month rent if proposed law is adopted. In a report to the National Assembly by the Public Works and Housing Committee, landlords will be required to give tenants a one-month eviction notice, down from the previous three months. In proposing the reduction in notice period, the report stated that it was a middle ground agreed upon by the landlords and the tenants during the public participation forums. If approved by the National Assembly, landlords will be at liberty to evict tenants who default on rent payment for just a month. The original bill by Majority Leader, Mr Amos Kimunya, had proposed default of three consecutive months. However, landlords will not be allowed to seize or auction a tenant’s property when they default on rent without following the legal process. The proposed law protects tenants from being subjecting to any form of annoyance by landlords with the intention of inducing or compelling them to vacate. Landlords will also be entitled to terminate tenancy for any reason without reference to the rent tribunal upon the landlord giving notice of not less than 12 months for residential and 24 for business premises….

Whether you have a tenant who wants to talk on the phone, meet in person or only texts, it all boils down to one truth: the landlord business is a relationship business. Building and maintaining a professional yet personable rapport with your tenants is key to developing a lasting business relationship. Building and maintaining a professional yet personable rapport with your tenants is key to developing a lasting business relationship. Here are five tips forensuring your interactions with tenants are positive: Start off on the right foot Fromday one, you want to work on developing a positive yet professional relationship with your tenants. That means making them feel welcome and comfortable at the property, and providing them with all the information they need to start their tenancy off right. That includes contact numbers, details on your expectations, important dates and locations of the nearest grocery stores, schools, bus stops, etc. Document everything This helps with your budgeting but also helps keeps track of your tenants’ payments and requests. Be sure to keep archives of all your communications and receipts. It will also help when a tenant has a question orfollows up about a charge. Communicate early and often about repairs…

Buying a new home is tough, and sometimes sellers don’t make it easy as they will do anything to make their property more appealing to potential buyers. Unfortunately, it’s left up to the buyer to search out those red flags before the ink dries. “Let the buyer beware” might be an overused expression, but it’s a perfect cautionary phrase to keep top of mind when you’re buying a new home. Here are seven red flags you should look for when looking to buy a new home. #1. Avoid listings with fewer photos when buying a new home. Would you be hesitant about dating someone who avoided showing you how they looked before meeting them? We would too. The same alarms firing off that tell you this is a red flag can be applied to the process of buying a new home. You should be immediately suspicious of the listing’s lack of photos because they’re likely hiding something. The house could need substantial work, renovations or repairs you don’t want to be stuck fixing. If you’re brave enough to do a walkthrough, just remember not to freak out as you pull up to what could be a disaster. #2. Watch out…

Land Buying Process: Besides land being the most rewarding asset to acquire, you need to know that it comes with the highest risk factors to be avoided. Buying land as an individual can be a very risky affair. A buyer can easily fall into the hands of predators ready to feast on your hard-earned cash using empty promises. Always be ready to learn from those experienced in the business. So if you want to buy land, the first thing you will do after identifying that piece of land is getting a copy of the title deed from the owner, to conduct a search at the land’s registry. The search results will show all details of the land including, location, size, the real owner and any cautions, if any, placed on the land. Once one is satisfied, the buyer through his lawyer will draw anofferletter with details of both the seller and the buyer and the piece of land. From here, negotiations take over until a price is agreed up. After the negotiation, the buyer obtains twomaps(one drawn to scale and another with an overview of the land showing adjacent lands) from the Ministry of Lands, or a surveyor. The buyer,…

Falling apartment prices in Kilimani and Kileleshwa weighed down the Nairobi property market into negative price growth in the 12 months to June, dampening hopes of a recovery in the sector hit hard by the Covid pandemic. A survey by realtors HassConsult found that on average, houses in Nairobi recorded a 1.7 percent price drop in the period, with oversupply causing apartment prices to fall especially in the upper middle class localities. Affordability is also an issue due to the massive job losses and pay cuts experienced by many Kenyans in the past 15 months. Business performance has also been negatively affected by the pandemic, thus robbing developers many would be buyers who are instead looking to conserve cash due to the uncertain times. “The property market is experiencing static sales price performance driven by the oversupplied apartment market in Kilimani and Kileleshwa, down 9.5 percent and 6.9 percent respectively in the last year,” said HassConsult. Apartments on average recorded a 5.8 percent drop in price during the period, far ahead of detached houses whose prices dropped by 1.7 percent, and semi-detached units whose prices went up by 0.7 percent on average. While prices remained in the red, rents continued…

Real estate prices are really soaring at an unprecedented level today, but this doesn’t mean that you need to end up priced out of the housing market. If anything, once you get on the housing ladder, you will have an asset that promises to continue increasing its value exponentially. One way to make it easier for explanation is to think of how casino bonuses work. They are great incentives. You pick one, and while the wagering requirements can sometimes be a little much, you will be happy with the winnings afterwards. That is precisely how the real estate market works. It may be a little difficult to get in it at first, but once you do, you should be fairly safe with real estate prices staying steady for years to come. It’s as Tony Sloterman, product owner at Casino Bonuses Finder, says – getting the right house deal is like getting the right bonus deal. You need to do your due diligence, and if you do, you will be happy with the results, which will help you set yourself on a path to economic stability. How to Get into Real Estate – Upscale The first thing to know is that…

Creating wealth is an art and craft that requires research and learning to find the most profitable avenues. The higher the returns, the higher the risks. Therefore, it is important that one fully understands the investment options and thus make informed decisions. Some of the investment vehicles available in the market include bank fixed deposit, stocks, government bonds and real estate, among others. In this article we delve into investing in real estate, outlining what an investor should know before committing their capital. To begin with, buying and owning real estate is an investment that can be both satisfying and lucrative. It is generally capital intensive and illiquid, hence the need to be well informed before committing funds. To begin with, there are three common ways through which one can invest in real estate among them:rental properties–an investor could prefer to build or buy property, and rent it out thus earn a rental income. The amount one can collect from rental property is dependent on the type of property, its location, proximity to amenities and availability of facilities among others. Rental property offers the investor the benefit of a regular income, often monthly subject to having a tenant, and the…

Real estate prices are really soaring at an unprecedented level today, but this doesn’t mean that you need to end up priced out of the housing market. If anything, once you get on the housing ladder, you will have an asset that promises to continue increasing its value exponentially. One way to make it easier for explanation is to think of how casino bonuses work. They are great incentives. You pick one fromhttps://kenya-bonusesfinder.com/online-casinos/, and while the wagering requirements can sometimes be a little much, you will be happy with the winnings afterwards. That is precisely how the real estate market works. It may be a little difficult to get in it at first, but once you do, you should be fairly safe with real estate prices staying steady for years to come. It’s as Tony Sloterman, product owner at Casino Bonuses Finder, says – getting the right house deal is like getting the right bonus deal. You need to do your due diligence, and if you do, you will be happy with the results, which will help you set yourself on a path to economic stability. How to Get into Real Estate – Upscale The first thing to know is…

Land is one of the biggest challenges facing farmers in Africa and Kenya. However, if you have 1/8thacre piece of land, there are various types of small-scale farming that you can do. Examples include: Mushroom farming They do not require a huge area of land. Since button mushrooms do not grow tall, they can be cultivated on an 1/8thacre. It is enough to set up an incubation house. Having 600 bags in one cropping room, you can get close to one tonne of button mushrooms averaging ksh600/kg translating to a total of ksh700,000. Mushrooms can be supplied to supermarkets, hotels, households and can also be imported. Green chili and capsicum farming Chilies and capsicum grow best in warm and humid conditions. The area should receive about 6-8 hours of sunlight. They do not require as much water as other plants. It takes the seeds 2 to 4 months to grow and produce fruit. An 1/8thacre plot can produce at least 150kg per produce selling for ksh 50/= per kg. Poultry Farming Poultry involves keeping of chicken, which can be indigenous (Kienyeji), layers, or broilers. Improved indigenous breeds are also available. In Kenya, chicken eggs are consumed more than meat. The…

In the classic “pyramid” scheme, participants attempt to make money solely by recruiting new participants, usually where: The promoter promises a high return in a short period of time; No genuine product or service is actually sold; and The primary emphasis is on recruiting new participants. All pyramid schemes eventually collapse, and most investors lose their money. Fraudsters frequently promote pyramid schemes through social media, Internet advertising, company websites, group presentations, conference calls, YouTube videos, and other means. Pyramid scheme promoters may go to great lengths to make the program look like a business, such as a legitimate multi-level marketing (MLM) program. But the fraudsters use money paid by new recruits to pay off earlier stage investors (usually recruits as well). At some point, the schemes get too big, the promoter cannot raise enough money from new investors to pay earlier investors, and people lose their money. These are some of the hallmarks of a pyramid scheme: Emphasis on recruiting. If a program focuses solely on recruiting others to join the program for a fee, it is likely a pyramid scheme. Be skeptical if you will receive more compensation for recruiting others than for product sales. No genuine product or…

Investing in real estate is a viable alternative to other risky investments and a great way to achieve financial freedom. With that said, there are some smart strategies you must consider to put yourself on the right path and ensure your real estate investment proves worthwhile and pays off. Let’s dive into some strategies that you can use to your advantage that will give you the best chances to build wealth from your properties over some time. Buy and Hold Investing in property and holding it for an extended period is a low-risk investment strategy that can garner favourable returns in the long run. Instead of selling the property based on market fluctuations, you will hold the property and collect income from rent to fulfill short-term cash-flow requirements as the property’s market value appreciates over time. You must conduct thorough research and choose an area primed for property value appreciation in the future. Consider factors like excellent infrastructure development, its transport network, top-class health and education facilities, and other similar amenities which potential buyers may find highly attractive. However, keep in mind the initial costs when choosing this long-term strategy. These would include agent commissions, property taxes and insurance, and…

Land is always seen as a finite resource in Africa. Its use in many countries in the continent has been of great concern to every citizen at individual level and community levels. But even though every community associates wealth and well-being with land ownership, it is unfortunate that our cultural practices on land use are now turning this great resource into an existential risk. A case in point is the Congo basin forests of which more than 60 percent are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). And it forms the largest oxygen manufacturing facility in the world. However, this resource which is now linked to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions, is in severe threat from logging fuelled by greed. It is estimated that at least one million hectares of mature forest in DRC and five other neighbouring countries is being lost every year since 2014. The deforested areas are now being converted into agricultural land and are being used for firewood. This is likely to have greater impact soon on the African Pygmies in Congo who might be exterminated. These forest people traditionally subsist on “a forager and hunter-gatherer lifestyle.” But as the forest is being depleted, it…

Value of Land: The rising cost of land and real estate has made one thing clear – your property will be worth a lot more in the coming years.The hard part now is understanding exactly how much your property costs. Knowing the worth of your land is key in getting your money’s worth just in case you sell your property in the future.There are many ways through which you can determine the value of your land. The most basic of which is by hiring a real estate agent that can help evaluate the price of your land.Keep in mind that by land, we are talking about the area only and not the property itself. Determining the value of land Alternatively,you can use websiteswhich help you automatically calculate the value of your land. Apps like this help you understand all of the important factors that affect the housing market and the price of your land. Moreover, it helps give you an accurate look at what you can expect when selling your house as compared to the price of land in other cities. As you can see above, the price of land varies from country to country.High-income countries or ones with good…

Two Rivers Development Limited has opened the next phase of sale of bulk land rights within its 102-acre site, targeting commercial and residential real estate developers. The company has up to 1.3 million square metres of space available under the bulk sale plan within the development which already hosts the Two Rivers Mall, a hotel and an office block. Under the plan, developers access space to construct their units, with Two Rivers providing access to utilities and other infrastructure. “We already have multibillion-shilling residential and commercial developments at Two Rivers, and we have been engaging other investors to come and be part of this urban node,” said Theodoros Pantis, the Two Rivers general manager after handing over title deeds to Centum Real Estate Limited, which has recently completed the acquisition of development rights for its Loft Duplexes and Riverbank Apartments high-end homes. “The development rights are competitively priced as they include not just the land but also key infrastructure such as power, water, sewer, ICT and sports and social amenities,” said Samuel Kariuki, the managing director of Centum Real Estate. Mr Pantis added that the residential projects being rolled out by Centum Real Estate will have a positive impact on…

The central lands registry in Nairobi has been shut permanently after its operations were migrated to an online platform, allowing for remote access to services. Lands Cabinet Secretary Faridah Karoney said all documents stored at the registry will be transferred to their respective home counties while those related to properties in the capital city will be moved to the Nairobi registry. “The records will be taken to their home registries. The records concerning Nairobi will be transferred to Nairobi Registry,” she said adding that the ministry is shifting its service delivery to an online platform dubbed National Lands Information Management System (NLIMS) or Ardhisasa. Ms Karoney said this will mark the end of manual processing of documents in Nairobi which created room for fraud. Most of the records at the central registry are linked to land parcels initially owned by colonial white settlers in areas such as Nyeri, Nanyuki, Eldoret, Kapsabet, and Nakuru. It also has records of Nairobi’s prime areas, initially occupied by the colonial government masters, such as Karen and Westlands. The CS said Ardhi Sasa is manned round-the-clock by a team of 40 staffers who are equally split on two day and night shifts. The team helps…