Scammers have learned how to exploit the housing demand in Kenya and target Nairobi which is home to a population of about 4.4 million. The shortage of proper and affordable housing has created an enormous number of desperate people clamouring for the few affordable houses available – hencebecoming easy targets forunscrupulous agents. The Covid-19 pandemic made a lot of Kenyans to move houses and seek more affordable homes as an adjustment to the cash crunch. A few Kenyans also took the opportunity to upgrade their residences since land lords were more willing to negotiate. Too Good to be True One of the most popular house hunting scams is where the houses advertised are said to be in a prime location but the rent doesn’t not correlate. “Bedsitter in Lavington at Ksh5,000. No Agent,” a shabby black-and-white poster stuck to an electricity pole could read. If you come across a listing ad that looks too close to perfect, house hunters should do some research before committing their money. These scammers often take advantage of first-time renters who have no clue or past experience. Online content creator Chebet Ronoh was a victim of this con, having been persuaded by an ad for…

Choosing whether or not to use property management companies is a hard decision for many real estate investors. Some wouldn’t dream of investing in real estate without a property management firm in place before closing on a respective deal. Others, however, struggle to break free of the “do-it-yourself” mindset that prevents them from accomplishing more. As it turns out, only one thing is certain: using a property management company isn’t as obvious as I would have liked to assume. You may ask yourself questions like “What does a property management company do?” or “Are property management companies worth it?” If for nothing else, I am convinced the benefits of using a property management company far outweigh the negatives. It is fair to say the argument stems from the cost one must absorb to work with a property manager, but I digress. The cost isn’t so much a negative, but rather an investment. While it does, in fact, cost money to hire a third-party manager, I can assure you it’s well worth the price. What’s more, their involvement could very easily increase the chances of growing your bottom line. What Is Property Management? Property management is the practice by which a third party is…

In the African setup, investing in land has always been an important investment regardless of the purpose. In the increasingly urban setting, owning a piece of land has become more of a necessity than a sign of pride. Most Kenyans want not just a plot but a house on it. That being said, demand for land has skyrocketed, making it quite scarce as everyone is rushing to secure something.  Within Nairobi land prices have risen beyond the reach of many, and so land buyers are looking for affordable land on the outskirts of the capital in areas like Kangundo Road and Eastern Bypass. When securing property, be it land or building, it is important to avoid mishaps and below are three main mistakes that buyers often make and pay for them dearly. Ignoring Paperwork The number of cases of regarding individuals being corned is countless. Going through your paper work, be it sale agreements or contracts, is important as there are many fake documents changing hands every day. The importance of going through these documents is to ensure that you are safe and sure that your investment is legit by law. If need be, it is advised to involve your lawyer to go…

With fewer jobs in the market and thousands of graduates chasing after them, securing employment in Kenya is about as hard as starting a business without the right information. Understandably, most Kenyans are – whether degree, diploma or certificate holders – are turning to business as they search for their dream jobs. Business is good. Most millionaires in the world became wealthy from business. But success in business is not assured as you need a great idea, capital, determination and sheer hard work. To help thousands of Kenyans looking to venture into business, below is a list of 15 simple business ideas that are not only easy to start with low capital requirements but also easy to run given their simplicity. Review the list keenly and have your pick. Eventually, make the move and stick to it and start your journey to being a businessman or woman. Selling second-hand clothes This is one the most popular business in Kenya, but tricky to run. However, second hand clothes business is booming and if you are looking for a business to start, this would be the best place to. The good news is that you don’t require a lot of capital to…

The Kenyan constitution permits citizens to acquire land within any county providing they comply with the legal procedures of buying and selling land in the country. Here are the steps to follow when buying land in Kenya: 1.) Land identification This is an important step where soon-to-be landowners identify a piece of land that meets their criteria such as location, size and soil type. 2.) Search at the lands registry After identifying a piece of land that meets the desired standards, a prospective buyer should obtain a copy of the land title deed from the seller to facilitate the search. Normally, it takes about two hours to get search results after filing a search application form (and attaching a copy of the title). This process costs Sh520. Search results show details of the land including the registered owner of the land, acreage as well as any caveats registered against the title deed. A valid search should be no more than six months old. 3.) Search at the County office The search helps to unearth any unpaid land rates which should be factored in the purchase price. A certificate of clearance from City Hall will cost you Sh7,500, but the fee…