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…