4 land-buying secrets sellers have been hiding from you

Due diligence on land is not just a search at lands office. Here are 4 other ways to carry out land due diligence:-

1. Local administrators: Sometimes we forget that there are Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs even in cities/towns hence we overlook them. These people’s insights on land history is invaluable. They will tell you a family history not in any book. Don’t demur their rich knowledge.

2. County office: Check for instance who has been paying the land rates or who should be. This will give you insight on who you’re dealing with or supposed to deal with. Also, confirm if there was an attempted subdivision especially for large pieces of land.

3. Utility bills: Kicks in mostly if there is a structure of some sort on the piece of land. Check who the water/power meter is registered to or who has been paying the bills. If a tenant has been paying probably they know the real owner, talk to them.

4. Survey: Please do land surveys before paying a penny. Land sizes on many titles you see around don’t match with what is on the ground. Literally,randomly visit to site of land, talk to the janitor next door, the bodaboda guy and so on. Get information – everything you can.

Don’t be in a rush,Kenya’s land size is 582,646 km², we’re far from being full.

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