How to

This is not one of those blogs that claim the Kenyan real estate bubble is bursting. Not at all.  The real estate market in Kenya is not even a bubble in the first place. Rather, what we’re currently experiencing now is more of a market correction, which is arguably a common occurrence in a healthy market.    The property prices in Kenya are no longer dictated by a huge demand combined with...

Kenya is an agricultural economy. Even with the advances and aspirations of being a manufacturing-driven economy, agriculture will continue remaining a key component in supplying raw materials, or at least food. However, it is also not possible to talk of food security without mentioning land tenure which is directly correlated with economies of scale and hence the pricing matrix. A...

A high percentage of Kenyans, especially, those who live in cities and towns, reside in rental houses. Therefore, investing in rental houses can be fruitful, provided you identify your face the challenges that may come up, there is a chance you’ll experience disappointment in the future. Below are factors to consider before building rental houses in Kenya:   1. Your financial status...

Charging land In formal dealings where land is used as collateral, there is a set system and procedure to follow to qualify for a loan. The first step is to approach a financial institution to verify its requirements and payment mode. Most institutions will require proof of land ownership for the land to be charged by requesting for official land search, original title deed and official land map....

Go to the M-pesa Menu. Select Paybill. Enter business number 777711. Enter Account your Telkom Mobile Number. Enter the amount. Enter your M-pesa pin then...

Title Deed Fraud Despite the rapid growth of the real estate sector, getting a piece of land with a clean and trouble-free title deed remains a major challenge in Kenya. Indeed, tales of people who have invested huge sums in the sector, only for their property to be brought down by bulldozers, abound. The reasons for this merciless act are almost always that the land was meant for public use, or the...

Schedule your biometric appointment: After completing the online application and paying the fee, you will receive instructions to schedule a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Kenya. Choose a convenient date and time for your appointment. Gather the required documents: Prepare the necessary documents for your visa application. The specific documents will depend on the type...

Here are six tips to help you eliminate and prevent an infestation of ants in your home. Identify Ant Trails The key first step in eliminating an ant infestation is to identify the trails used by worker ants to move to and from the nest. Any visible ants moving inside your home are seeking food, and once an ant finds edible material, it carries it back to the nest By doing so, the ant...

This process is simple. You will need to submit: a copy of the death certificate, affidavit of death and form to requesting change of ownership to the Ministry of land   Step-by-step guide on how to change a name from one to another one in a title deed: Changing the name in a title deed from one to another is a recurrent activity especially in selling and buying land and housing...

In case you want to amend your birth certificate. Within a duration of two years after registration of birth, the names could be changed on application but after production of relevant documentary evidence in support of the amendments.  After two years, you can add names to the existing ones but you cannot remove the names previously on the birth certificate, again documentary evidence will be...

Looking for an interior designer in Kenya? Well, there are many of them near you, but they don’t come cheap. And finding a good one can be quite the hustle. However, fear not as you can decorate your house to suit your taste using these easy DIY (do-it-yourself) tips: Apply Softer, Lighter Colors in Smaller Rooms Small rooms often tend to seem cramped. With large windows, ample use of...

Transaction costs can be very high in the Philippines The total roundtrip cost of property purchase is around 7% to 16.25% of the property value.  For taxation purposes, properties are treated as capital assets if it is not used in trade or business, and properties are treated as ordinary assets if it is used in trade or business, such as rental property. The 6% Capital Gains Tax applies only on...

There are five main methods used when conducting a property evaluation; the comparison, profits, residual, contractors and that of the investment. A property valuer can use one of more of these methods when calculating the market or rental value of a property. The most prominent and preferred method to use is the comparison methods, as it’s directly linked to current market...

The right to the use and enjoyment of land has certain caveats that are superior to the individual. This article discusses the ways in which this right can be lost. The ownership of land in Kenya is not absolute and this right can be lost in the following ways; Non-renewal of leasehold interest Land holding tenure in Kenya is either freehold or leasehold. A Kenyan citizen or a company that is fully owned...

This is only applicable if your child was born abroad but to Kenyan parents and takes longer as documents have to be sent from Kenya. Visit the Kenyan embassy where you live and submit:   Two Application Forms (BDA – Birth and Deaths Registration form) duly filled ( Click here to get the Form)   Two photocopies of both parents’ passports. The copies of the Kenyan parent’s...

Never give a builder money up front. We've been warned of this many times yet, when you buy a house or apartment off-plans, that is precisely what you have to do (albeit not the whole sum, but a deposit of up to 10 per cent of the purchase price). Buying a property in such a way involves a dream and a leap of faith. A dream that your home will be beautiful and faith that the developer and builder will...

Losing someone or something you love or care deeply about is very painful, hence everyone needs to grieve. Whereas many people have different ways to do so, some cultures especially in the African set up put constraints in other genders when it comes to the grieving process. James Mbugua, a counseling psychologist says that this is not right as grieving provides closure to the grieved. “You find...

A Kenyan has explained how he managed to build a three bedroom house with Ksh800,000.He managed to build this house for Ksh 800,000 and here is what he did.   I know for sure..with 800k unajenga nyumba ya 3bedroom na unaingia na unaishi. The problem with people here ni kugongwa. Wacheni kupeana nyumba yako kwa contractors. If u have your own plot, be a hands on kinda guy.. Tafuta watu...

Financial experts say: “There is nothing like a small debt”. The law allows lenders to submit names of individuals with any Non-Performing Loans (NPL) to Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) for blacklisting. “Negligence is not a thing here. Service your loans up to the final step,” advises Mwabaya Katana, a financial expert. In Kenya, there are three licensed CRB companies. These include:...

Apply Online To apply for replacement of a Lost or Damaged Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) or Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate, the applicant should make the application to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) through the KNEC’s online portal: Query Management Information System (QMIS). Please click on this link to access the portal QMIS. On...