HOW TO ENGAGE WITH AGENTS & VENDOR WHILE BUYING PLOTS IN KENYA
The process of buying land, plots and houses in areas like Ruiru, Kamulu, Kitengera, Juja, Thika, Kikuyu among other areas in Kenya starts with a need in mind of buying property/land to meet respective needs of the consumer / client either as a person or a company.
The consumer (client/potential purchaser) searching on plots for sale and houses for sale have to identify the “appetite” of the product (property) whether commercial or residential.
I refer to the use of the property as “appetite” because the actual use of the property in mind is the driving appetite to acquire the property. The utility of the plot or house on sale market must be definitive.
Respect to the use in mind for the need of such a property I.e. either (commercial or residential) the potential client should do a general surveying of the region he/she thinks could satisfy the need for such a land.
In such a case one can decide to invest in areas like along Ngong Road, Thika Road, Mombasa Road or even in highland areas according to the intended use in mind. Online searches on plots for sale in Ruiru, plots for sale in Juja, plots for sale in Joska, plots for sale in Murera, plots for sale in Thika, plots for sale in Malaba, plots for sale in Juja Farm, among other areas can be of great help as much real estate companies have gone digital in property marketing. Bushline Properties Company has well engaged in technology and particularly the social media to ensure that our clients are informed on our products.
During such a survey in identification of potential plots on sale whose utility fits you, it is also necessary to identify the dynamics of property pricing and the various economic drivers that result to such prices and potential project that can influence increase in prices of such investments in the future in such a region. One strategy Bushline Properties Company Limited use to booster the pricing of a region and particularly in the areas we invest in is anchored on controlling the intended end use which can either be residential or commercial. On this note, Bushline Properties Company Limited provides the amenities as per the concluded use of land and this really clears the future vision of such a region.
It is also wise to subject your use of the land you intend to buy with the actual existing users of the land in a potential location.
If for instance you intend to buy a residential plot for settling a family, it is necessary to get it in a place that has been controlled for residential usage or a place that is not controlled but the existing users of the land have consumed the land residentially.
AGENTS ENGAGEMET
It is practically impossible for you as a client to know every property that is sold or plots for sale in a specific place at a specific period time. It is therefore necessary to engage the services of agent who can identify various plot/land for you to do comparison. Such agent could be companies’ brokers or friend who normally has a list of plots for sale or houses for sale in your intended region.
It is necessary to understand that such agent will increase the value of the land by 20% to 30% of the actual value as brokerage fee and they shall never disclose to the purchaser. Ensure that the agent you intend to use is trustworthy and always be in the know how that the agent doesn’t care what you do with the land or whether the land will meet your need. All what agents care for is their commission. Engage as many agents as possible and let them provide as many properties as possible for you to make a choice.
VISIT TO SITES
After the agents provides to you list of the properties that they have, now plan to visit all the properties and subject them to your need of the plot and the existing properties. It is also necessary to measure the distance from the nearest main road, access to water and electricity. It is also necessary to check the nearest police station and administration offices.
Check on the terrain of the land and presence of anormalies like quarries. Check and ensure the presence of beacons (surveying marks ) on the ground and understand the shape of the plot and its alignment with the easiest access road
Understand the areas of the property both in square feet and square meters. Be able to convert such areas above into hectare and compare with the area indicated in the mutation forms and the title deed that will be discussed later. Always carry a tape measure and measure the area shown. Never visit the site at night or in secret. Identify the neighbors and potential homesteads that you will plan to visit later as will be discussed.
SETTLING
After intense field visits, always have the best 3 plots as your choice and ensure you have been informed on the existence of tittle deed of the individual plots.
It is wise to make your spouse or family to be part of this process.
It is also necessary to ensure that you have someone guiding you in the process of land identification but also necessary to note that he/she can also become a broker during the process.
Ensure therefore that you have placed the 3 plots in order of best ,better, good
In case you have been using agents; inform them that you need to have a sitting with the owner of the property.
If the vendor is a person, insist to discuss the matter of that land within his/her compound/ homestead.
Land deals should never be done in hotels, clubs or public area.
This is good as it assists to know in case of any issue you have a permanent place you can get the vendor.
It is also necessary to ensure that the spouse of the vendor is present during such a sitting and one or two of the children. This assists you to be sure that the family is united in selling you the property.
Let the vendor provide to you the following documents
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- Original Tittle deed of the plot/ land
- Copy of the tittle deed
- Copy of mutation form if the land is a product of a subdivision
- Original ID card and a copy
- Copy of KRA PIN (for both the vendor and spouse)
Check the title number and ensure the description marches that of the respective block.
Check the registered owner and confirm the names in the Title Deed and the ID number registered in the tittle deed are similar with those in the identification card.
It is necessary to note that identity can be forged. to discuss it latter
Bargain the price of the property to your best and also do general price survey later from neigbours.
Request for the copies of tittle deed, mutation, ID, for both vendor and spouse
From such a sitting understand even the person who sold to the person who is now sellint to you and the year year that he/she bought. This will be necessary in order to march with the information that will be in the green card once you obtain a copy of it.