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Property254 by Tulia Real Estate

Author: Peris Gachago

  • Key Steps in the Process of Buying Land in Kenya

    Key Steps in the Process of Buying Land in Kenya

    Buying land is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in life. You need to make this decision with all the details necessary to safeguard your money. There are so many stories of people who lost their money and I do not want you to be one of them.

    I have listed below the key steps to follow when you are finally ready to buy land.  Whether you are buying land from an individual or a company, follow the steps below.

    1.       Land Identification.

    2.       Conducting Due Diligence.

    3.       Offer Letter and Signature.

    4.       Obtaining County Clearance.

    5.       Transfer of Ownership.

    Step 1. Land Identification


    The first step is you need to determine the size, location, budget, and purpose of the land that you need to buy.  If you need to buy land for building your home, then this is residential land. Commercial land is where you can put up a rental property. Agricultural property is used for farming. In Kenya, we also have areas that have been zoned for industrial use. The article below gives you more details.

    Important: Categories of RealEstate in Kenya

    The budget determines the location and size of land you can afford. Generally, bigger land sizes attract a higher price. Locations close to towns or social amenities attract a higher price.


    Nowadays, most people start their search online. Here is a list of 7 real estate listing websites in Kenya. Other people rely on real estate agents. The agents browse these listing platforms and narrow the list down for them. If you have friends who have purchased property, you may reach out to them for advice and guidance.


    Once you have identified land that meets your criteria, plan to conduct a physical visit. This visit will help you check the surrounding area and the layout of the land. I have seen cases of people buying land in swampy areas because they never made a visit. Visiting the land will help you also see the layout so that you do not buy land that is too steep and will be hard to build on.


    When you visit the land, ask neighbors questions about the seller or the history of the land. This will help you identify if there are disputes over the land. Neighbors are well placed to inform you of any boundary issues or any family squabbles.

    If you are dealing with a real estate agent, please verify that the agent has the authority to sell the property. There are instances of agents selling land yet the owner did not ask them to.  Agents usually have the authority to sell letters from the owner. For some properties, this letter is not issued particularly for the lower end of the market.


    Related: Letters of Authorization to sell in Real Estate with an example.

    Step 2: Conduct a search in the land’s registry


    Once you decide on the property you intend to buy, ask for the title deed and details of the owner. The copy of the title deed helps to conduct a search of the land at the land office. A copy of the national identity card is used to verify the identity of the seller. You can verify the details at the Registration of Persons Bureau.

    At the land office, you will use the title to confirm ownership of the land. Additionally, you will learn if the property has any claims or has accrued land rates. The cost of these checks will vary from county to county. This search process usually takes three days. Fr properties in Nairobi, searches are being done online through Ardisasa.


      How to Conduct Property Search through Ardhisasa


    You do not need to visit every county to get a search done. Your real estate agent  or lawyer can do that for you. Searches cost around Ksh 500 and under if you are doing it yourself. Agents and lawyers may charge Ksh 2,000 to help in the process.

    Guide to the procedure for amalgamation of plots in Kenya

    While at the land registry, you can buy 2 types of maps. One map is an overview of the land and adjacent plots while the other is a map drawn to scale. With the two maps, you then engage a surveyor to verify the dimensions of the land. The surveyor will confirm if beacons are there and replace any missing beacons. They will also ensure that all beacons are in the correct location. The standard cost of placing beacons is less than Ksh 5,000 per beacon. For a plot with 4 beacons, the price will be about Ksh 20,000.

     
    Step 3: Preparation of offers and price negotiation

    If you have verified all details, you then make an offer. If you are not a real estate expert, we recommend that you engage a lawyer to prepare an offer. The lawyer will then prepare an offer letter detailing the terms of sale.

    You will need to meet costs for your lawyer. These costs are based on a percentage of the sale price. The Advocates Remuneration Amendment Order, 2014 provides the scale.

    Please ensure that all key details discussed are included in the contract. The agreement may include the need to pay a deposit. Deposit if any should be made to the seller advocates account. It is advisable to wait for clearance from the Land Control Board ( explained in the next step) before paying any deposit. This ensures that if LCB does not approve the sale, you can get your money back.

    Step 4: Clearance for the Land Control Board

    For the sale of any land to occur, there must be approved by the local land control board. The board exists to ensure that land transfers in are transparent. This includes ensuring that the land being sold is not communal land or subject to a land tussle.

    Membership to The Land Control Board is comprised of county staff and area elders. The boards usually hold monthly meetings. Special board meetings can be held but for an extra cost.

    Once you have been cleared by the LCB, you will need to pay for land rates. Once you make any rates that are due you will be issued with a Clearance Certificate. At this point, you can make the payment for the land and get signed transfer forms from your seller.


    You now have several documents needed for the title transfer process. These are:

    •   Title deed

      Land search

      Land transfer forms

      Sale agreement

      Board clearance

      Rates Clearance Certificate

    Step 5: Transfer of Ownership


    When you apply for a transfer of ownership, a valuer will visit the land and place a value on the property. This value may be different from the amount you paid. The value determines the stamp duty payable to the Kenya Revenue Authority.

    Depending on the value of the property, a Capital Gains Tax may apply. It is your responsibility to pay the stamp duty. This is paid by the seller. Stamp Duty is charged on the property value or the sale price agreed upon; whichever is higher and is:

    4% for land/property within a municipality

    2% for agricultural land or property outside a municipality

    This article explains RealEstate Taxes in Kenya. Refer to this detailed guide on Stamp duty payment for real estate transactions in Kenya.


    You will be responsible for the cost of registration of titles in your name. The county governments will review the submitted documents. if the documents are complete, a new title is issued.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxvT-qT-7R0&t=70s

    Post-purchase activity


    The law also provides that agents must be paid the agreed service fee/commission. The fee is on a scale capped at 3% of the property’s value. The agent is paid by the party who instructs them. The seller will pay the agent they instructed to market their property. the buyer will pay the agent who linked the buyer to the seller.


    Related: Real Estate Agents Remuneration in Kenya: Understanding what Commissions to Charge

    It is important to follow up after one week and conduct a search the same way you did when buying the land. This will help you confirm that the property details at the ministry of lands are now showing you as the new owner.

    You may consider fencing the land and notifying neighbors of the change in ownership. Fencing will restrict encroachment on the land. The neighbors will also help ensure no one tries to sell the land without your consent.


    I hope the above step-by-step instructions help you purchase your next property. In case you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to your real estate agent, advocate or let us know. You may also comment below, and other community members will be on hand to offer you their thoughts.

    What are the Requirements for a Foreign National to buy a piece of land in Kenya?


    Are you a foreigner wondering how to own land in Kenya? The legal process of buying land in Kenya remains the same whether you are a Kenyan citizen or a foreigner. There are a few restrictions. Please read this blog that covers the procedure of buying land as a foreigner.

  • How to become top-selling real estate agent in Kenya. 5 easy steps to get started

    How to become top-selling real estate agent in Kenya. 5 easy steps to get started

    A lot of people ask how they can become the best top-selling real estate agents.

    Most of them want to know how they can sell tens or hundreds of homes and make millions.

    Well, this article will show how to do that in 5 easy steps.

    You can be a real estate agent working on your own or a real estate agent employed by a company to sell their products. In case you are interested in getting a job as a real estate agent, then just go to the company and drop your CV/resume.

    Then after several years working as a real estate agent with a broker you could go it alone. Because you are known in the industry. And you have saved up some working capital.

    This article will concentrate on what to do in case you want to start your real estate agency.

    So lets dive in on the steps to take to start off in real estate. There are no special skills or any amount of money needed to start. Just your willingness to help other people.

    Step 1:  Find the best real estate agent in your area for mentorship.  

    Yes, you heard me right. Work for free. I know you have bills to pay, so you can start off on a part-time basis. A side hustle or a side gig if you wish.

    And what exactly will you be doing as you work for free?

    You will do a lot of jobs for them including ensuring there is tea in the office, the daily newspaper is delivered, the office is cleaned, and the boss is generally happy.

    If you are lucky, you get to participate in more serious stuff like handling customer inquiries, taking customers to site visits and growing the list of the number of people you know.

    This step helps you to gain knowledge in the industry, get recommendations and start growing your network.

    To register with the Kenyan Estate Agents registration board, you will need a letter of recommendation and this is how you get one. 

    Step 2: Network and Build your sphere of influence.

    As you continue to work for free, you get to gain a lot of knowledge in the real estate industry. From how to handle sales, property prices, market trends and how to handle customers.

    You will accompany your mentor for meetings. Here, you get to meet other real estate agents who will become part of your network.

     Your network is your net worth, and this is where you start growing that.

    During this time, join any online groups you find. There are numerous groups on Facebook and WhatsApp that I have personally found quite useful.

    Attend any available real estate webinars and meetings. This helps you expand your knowledge and become a force to reckon with.

     Step 3: Get a real estate license

    Depending on the country or area that you operate in, certain restrictions apply to the real estate industry. Please do a quick google search on registration and licensing requirements.

    In Kenya, all real estate agents should be registered with the real estate agents registration board. It takes around 6 months to get registered from the time you apply to when you get your license. This is because EARB processes registration in batches.

    In case more people apply, registration can be quicker.

    If you are wondering how much a real estate license costs in Kenya, the amount is KSH 10,500. This covers an Annual license and a practicing certificate.

    Before you get your license, you can sell using the license of the agent you have from steps 1.

     Step 4: Sell like Crazy.

    Once you have your own license, you need to start selling like crazy.

    To do this, reach out to anyone within your network who could benefit from your services. Start with yourself. Can you buy the real estate you are selling? If yes, then go ahead. You have just sold your first property to yourself.

    Start also by reaching out to your friends and family. This could be your best friend at work who has been coming to you for help. Make this they payback time.

    Reach out to friends from school, church and your neighbors. If you say you will call, remember to call and follow up.

    Call up your baby mamma, call your ex, call your sponsor. And if any of these have a sponsor, call them too!

    Go out into the streets, talk to people, open social media accounts, google ads, blood sweat and tears.

    List your properties with listing websites available in your country. In Kenya, we have identified the top five real estate listing websites for you.

    Make sure everybody buys from you. Follow them up. Constantly.

    Stalk them in case you need to. Call them from a different number. Email them. SMS then. WhatsApp them.

    And don’t stop until they buy or die of old age.

    If they die, attend the burial, and get contacts for the next of kin and sell to them. Not really, but you get my drift.

    Step 5: Maintain contact with the clients you sell to.

    Once you sold a property, this becomes the beginning process of the next real estate item you want to sell to them.

    Resell to them your newest property. If they can’t afford it, ask them to refer you to their friends. And don’t relent until they do. And then do not let their friends go until they buy from you.

    Or until their children buy from you.

    Or their children buy from your children who are now managing your business.

    Remember, it is far easier to sell products and services to existing customers than it is to sell to new customers. This is because there is at least a 60-70% chance of repeat customers buying from you.

    Bonus tip?

    We upload a new blog every week. Please subscribe to our so you get notified every time we release a new article. You will be receiving one email a week on the best tips to get you ahead in the real estate industry.https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-3j9A-w8s4

  • In-demand Real Estate Agents Skills Needed to be a Successful Agent

    In-demand Real Estate Agents Skills Needed to be a Successful Agent

    Real estate is becoming a very competitive field. You need to find a way to list properties available for sale. Beyond listing your land and houses for sale, buyers and sellers are expecting a lot more.  To succeed as a real estate agent, you need to have something extra.

    Several skills can give you an edge and help you make more sales. These skills will also set you apart from the competition.

    Let’s read together based on my experience in the industry and what I have found to be important. You will also note that most of these skills are important in other industries as well. So, if you are not in real estate, you find these useful as well. Let’s get started!

    1.     Local area knowledge

    Every real estate agent needs to have adequate knowledge of the area within which they are selling land or houses. If you know your locality, customers will learn to trust and depend on you for guidance. You will need to understand real estate regulations in Kenya. You also need to know of upcoming developments and other real estate agents in your area.

    Real estate buyers prefer working with a real estate agent who is knowledgeable. This is because they are about to make one of the biggest decisions of their life. Customers are also about to commit a lot of money.

    2.     High Integrity and Trust levels.

    Honesty remains one of the best skills to have as a real estate agent. Customers also expect you to show you can be trusted and honest. Thus, real estate customers rely on referrals from friends and family. Being dishonest, unethical and immoral can tarnish a career fast, and for good.

    If you have a bad reputation, no real estate buyer will work with you. Reputation matters a lot in real estate. You need to maintain a good client base who can provide evidence of recent successful deals.

    3.     Technological skills

    Technology advances every day. Therefore, you need to leverage technology to your advantage by being technological savvy.

    As a real estate agent, you need to understand how to use social media to sell real estate. From posting to WhatsApp groups and Facebook or showcasing your real estate on Instagram. You can take things to the next level by having a website.

    How to use Google Maps to sell more as a real estate Agent

    If you do not have a website, then you do not need to worry. Various listing websites are available with some being available for free.

    4.     Resilience

    Real estate is a tough field. On average, most real estate agents complete a few sales within the year. If you are not resilient, you will not manage to stay long in the field. As an agent, following up on leads requires constant calling and checking on your leads before they convert. Following up on every lead is crucial in achieving success in real estate.

    You will need to have a way to keep track of leads.  Having a notebook is a good starting place. Else, invest in an automated system.

    Successful real estate agents do not wait for clients to call them. They keep a check on all appointments, meetings and showings themselves. They are also flexible and will adjust their schedule if the client requests.

    5.     Passion

    To succeed in anything, you need to have passion. Real estate is no exception.

    For real estate agents, passion involves enjoying speaking and taking clients to site visits. You also need passion to help people. This is because you will need to support clients make decisions that are best for them.

    6.     Teamwork and networking

    In real estate, your network is your net worth. If you work alone, you will find customers hard to come by. Referrals remain the way most agents find business. If you do not have a large network, then you will sell less and be unable to find success. Teamwork involves you also providing other real estate agents with referrals and leads.

    Networking Tips for Real Estate Agents in Kenya.

    For any career, building your network and reputation is important for success. If you’re a local agent serving a small market, getting involved with the community can be a great way to build your brand. By engaging with the community, you can become the go-to estate agents in the area.

    7.     Negotiation skills

    Most buyers start their real estate journey online. With a lot of information being available online, buyers have more information than before. With a more knowledgeable client, negotiation skills are becoming important for real estate agents.

    The crucial lesson to remember about negotiating is that your goal is not to win but to get a deal done. To do that, you will have to come up with a solution that will satisfy both the buyer and the seller.

    8.     communication skills

    People prefer to work with people they get along with and like. Buying and selling properties is no different. To have a good rapport with real estate buyers, you then need to have good communication skills.

    Good communication skills help to create a good relationship with customers. It also helps to enhance your level of professionalism. You need to be available on most communication channels like email, Skype, WhatsApp, or text messages. You should also be quick at replying to your client’s messages.

    You don’t only communicate with the buyer but also the seller during negotiation. In some cases, you’ll need to communicate with your colleagues. Other real estate agents will give you advice or guidance as you grow in the business.

    9.     Great marketing skills.

    The real estate market is becoming more competitive. More real estate agents are joining the industry. To sell land or houses, you need to have great marketing skills.  With the right marketing strategy, you can get more clients and referrals that will help you grow your business.

    Here is a more detailed article on top 9 strategies to earn more as a real estate agent.

    10.  Familiarity with Rules and Regulations

    A real estate agent understands how rules and regulations apply to real estate. In Kenya, you need to understand the Estate Agents Act, The Land Act, Rent Restriction Act and tax matters as well. You need to understand how these affects real estate.

    Process of buying property in Kenya

    As a real estate agent, you must guide your customers in navigating through all the regulations and not mislead them in any way. Most homeowners are unaware of real estate laws when they buy or sell a house. They depend on a real estate agent to guide them through this complicated process.

    There are many skills a real estate agent should have. The above skills are the core skills that will make a successful real estate agent. The effective implementation of these skills will help you have a great and rewarding real estate career. These skills are important whether you’re starting out or already a professional.

  • Real Estate Listing: 5 effective Tips to Get Your Property Noticed

    Real Estate Listing: 5 effective Tips to Get Your Property Noticed

    Real estate is always a tough market. There are thousands of properties for sale in the area, and a shortage of buyers. This can be from all the competition or from the fact that people don’t know how to find properties they’re interested in. Either way, getting your property noticed can sometimes be difficult. With these tips, you’ll be able to catch the eyes of potential buyers.

    1.     Use good SEO practices

    Search engine optimization, also known as SEO, is the secret to getting your listing prioritized and seen. Thorough keyword research is necessary for this. This helps users utilizing an online search engine to find listings to focus their search. Choose the right keywords or phrases to precisely describe your listing so that the target audience will find it in search results.

    ALSO READ: Seo For Real Estate seven Tips On How To Improve Your Real Estate Website

    2.     Get the Most Out of Local Real Estate Listings

    Online real estate listings are a great way to get noticed, and they’re free! These sites will allow potential buyers to see all the properties you want them to see. These free real estate listing sites like Property254 are very useful and it’s a good idea to at least have a profile on one of them. To really get the most out of these websites, you’ll want to edit your listing regularly and respond quickly to any messages you receive through the website.

    ALSO READ: The Top 7 Real Estate Listing Sites In Kenya

    3.     Take excellent photos

    Do you have professional photographs of your property? Great! They’re an invaluable tool in selling your property, and they can help attract a lot of traffic to your listing. If you want to really get the most out of these pictures, though, you might want to consider doing a virtual tour of your property. In addition to taking pictures, a professional photographer will be able to film footage inside the property and offer it for viewing on websites like YouTube, where people can see homes in motion and make comparisons between different properties. These videos are an excellent way to get noticed online, and they’re all free!

    4.     Share your listings on social media

    Social media is quickly becoming one of the most significant components of digital marketing, offering great benefits that allow businesses to contact millions of people around the world. If you are not using social media to sell today, you are stuck in the past. If you can find a way to use social media, your property has a great chance of getting noticed. To begin, you can use your personal Facebook or Twitter accounts to inform your friends and family about your real estate listing. Focus on developing a great marketing campaign and release it on Facebook or Instagram.There are social media marketing tools that can help you run your pages. You will benefit from increased online visibility and interest from potential buyers. If you need help Digital Marketer will help you run all your social media accounts.

    5.     Know Where Your Audience Is

    If you’re going to get your property noticed, you’re going to need an audience. The best way to find out who might be interested in seeing your home is to find out who’s already looking for properties like yours. This can be done through websites that offer free information on the demographics of different neighbourhoods in the area, as well as through online forums dedicated to selling or buying properties of a particular type. Take some time to read up on all these sites and see how you can use them to sell your property.

    Conclusion

    Getting your property noticed, especially in such a large market, can be difficult. You will need to improve your marketing efficiency as much as possible for this. In addition, while addressing a potential client, we will want you to be as professional as possible.

    Create a free account with us here and list all your properties for FREE.

  • Social Media tips for real estate agents to elevate your marketing strategy

    Social Media tips for real estate agents to elevate your marketing strategy

    If used in the right way, social media can help you as real estate agents reach a wide audience, within a very short time. This is because today’s buyers are living their lives through digital technology. If you make good use of social media, you will get more leads, close more leads, you will grow your audience and this will definitely increase your income. We have identified 8 most effective social media tips that will elevate your marketing strategy.

    1. Create a relevant content

    The first thing to do before creating social media content is to have your customers in mind. With customers in mind you will be able to make a content that they want. The next thing is to create relevant content; one that is that is compelling. In this case your audience wants to know more about real estate. Let all your social media content help your audience achieve their goals not about how you will benefit from them. Talk about know about culture, neighborhoods, safety, and even activities for their kids teach about how to purchase a home. Educate them and you will generate millions of views on your social media channels every day.

    Important to read : 7 effective ways to generate leads with content marketing

    2. Automate your posts to ensure there is a consistent posting

    Automation is not all about hiring someone to do it and forget it. It’s all about utilizing tools that allow you to pre-plan your social media posts for the day for the week or even for the month in advance. This way when the day gets away from you because you have had extra appointments or you were generating leads then you will know  that that day you are going to have a great social media post hitting all of your channels because  you have taken your time to pre-plan out your posts. Before a potential clients reaches out to you, they first scroll through your social media feed. They will accept your offer for help only if they will see consistent posts on social media. The way that you show up online will impact your brand as a trustworthy real estate expert.  The posts help you build trust with followers and potential customers. So consistency is key. Some of these tools include Hootsuite, Buffer, Agorapulse, Coshedule among others. Some are paid and others are free

    Important to read: social media content calendar, what it is an it’s benefits in real estate business

    3.  Create irresistible lead magnets to collect new leads

    Create a pdf or an E-book for free information in exchange for emails. First you have to consider who your ideal clients are, what challenges they are facing and the kind of information they need. After hat create a solution for them inside that lead magnet. As mentioned earlier be consumer focused because most of the things that you think are valuable to a customer are not the things not they have in their minds. Offer things of value even if they have nothing to do with actual real estate transaction. With that you can be sure that it will attract more potential clients.

    4. Build engaging posts

    Have you ever crafted good social posts and scheduled them across the networks and two weeks later, you view your social analytics and see no clicks, no likes, no shares zero social engagement. Well, I have been there. But did you realize where the problem is? The problem is that your posts are not fun, exciting, and compelling. Your audience doesn’t need them. You need to make a post seeks your audience answers, opinions and feedback. You could also Integrate inspirational quotes and phrases into your social posts. These kinds of posts produce more motivation from your audience and compel them to take action. Let them wake up to #realestatemotivation. Build emotions in your words, if it is something funny use emojis , ask them questions concerning their personal life. You could ask them a question and let them choose their answers. For example

     If we gave you Ksh100, 000 to spend in our shop, which products would you stock up on?

    a)      cabinets

    b)      Chairs and seating

    c)      Beds

    d)      Clocks

    See examples of questions to ask to boost your social media engagement

    5. Consider going niche

    Think of that one person who you want to serve. This could be senior citizens, veterans etc You don’t have to talk to everyone. Again, look for ideal clients. The more niche you get in your marketing message the bigger impact it’s going to make. Go from being in a large open to a smaller ocean. Niche it down to specific audience that you are serving. There is always less people in trying to get that one person in the small ocean. By niching down, you can make yourself memorable. You will be setting yourself from unnecessary competitions.

    6. Consider using videos

    A video is like a king in marketing, it’s dynamic and engaging when it comes to attracting new leads. It one of the most performing posts across all social media algorithms. It has exploded in growth on social in recent years. The video can either be a virtual tour or aerial footage, it is more valuable and more persuasive to both sellers and buyers since it showcases the property in more details many photos combined together. There is nothing that is more trusted than property video. See the importance of video in real estate.  Also learn how to create a  successful social media video marketing strategy.

    7. Respond to comments

    It is in the comment section that you get to know your followers and readers. Broadcasting alone is not enough, you have to engage back those who are commenting to your posts quickly. When you talking to them you will be setting a bar for everyone else who could be having the same question. It will set a precedence to others on how you handle things. They will not have to ask the same question again , they will  just look at your comment reply .So be careful on how you handle negative comments and challenges. Be polite, listen to their perspective take responsibilities and promise to do better next time.  When you do that you can be sure that your followers will come back.

    8. Keep in touch

    Look at social media channels where you’re your audience are hanging out. Connect with them, follow them make them your friends engage them, depending on the social media channel, comment on their posts They are a sphere of your influence. Statistics show that 70% of your income comes from your sphere of influence. Take advantage to those online conversations by taking them offline. Organize a marketing program that is multifaceted and reach out to them through emails, contacting them or still use social media.

    Conclusion

    Make sure you use each platform for it’s intended purpose. Each platform is used differently. You should not copy and paste the same content on different platforms, every post should fit it’s platform. This will definitely help you reach different audience on different platforms. Read how to effectively use social media for real estate to explore these platforms as part of your marketing strategy.

  • Letter of Authorization to Source Real Estate

    Letter of Authorization to Source Real Estate

    Real estate agents understand the laws related to property transactions and are relied upon during the process of buying or selling properties. As the agents are not the owners of the properties, they need permission to act as an agent for the property owner or buyer.

    An authorization letter is a document that gives someone else the authority to conduct business, carry out transactions on behalf of someone else.

     Buyers and sellers should provide real estate agents with letters that authorize the real estate agent to act on their behalf. Property Authorization letters need to be written carefully to prevent any miscommunications. While sourcing letters should be provided by the principal, you can assist them by preparing one for them to sign. Below is a guide to prepare a sourcing letter.

    Related: Letter of Authorization to sell real estate.

    Start with Personal Information

    Type your full name and contact information, including your email address, left justified with one information item per line. Type the full name and contact information for the customer as well.

    Ensure there is a date on the letter.

    State Your Intention

    After you have identified the parties, identify the intention. This is done by having this as the subject line and have this in bold or underlined.  

    Detail the Permissions

    List the specific tasks for which you are responsible for using bullet points or numbers to separate each item visually.  Go into as much detail as necessary to make the scope or specific limitations of the tasks clear. For instance, don’t state a term like source for a house in Kitengela instead, be specific like source for a 3-bedroom house all ensuite, with a detached SQ, within 1 kilometer of a tarmac road and at most 3 kilometers from Kitengela, priced between 14M to 15M inclusive of stamp duty and all transfer costs.

    Remember to mention the duration of the authorized duty and the reason should be devoid of any misinterpretations.

    Create a Closing

    Close with official words such as “Sincerely,” and type your client’s full name. Try to keep your the letter short, precise and to the point while ensuring no detail was left out

    Finish with a Signature

    Present the letter to your client for review, ensure its signed and make a copy for your records.

    Also Read: Commissions to charge for real estate transactions in Kenya.

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Example:

    To,

    John Doe

    P.O. Box 1234

    Nairobi

    Tel 0123456789

    From

    Jane Doe

    P.O. Box 4321

    Nairobi

    Tel 987654321

    Date: 12th of May 2022

    Subject: Authorization to source property

    Dear John,

    This letter is in regards to request to source for property that fits this description {…………………………………….}. We estimate that the price range for such property shall be within a budget of {……………………………………….}.

    Your role shall include:

    1……………………………………………

    2…………………………………………….

    While your role relates to finding the appropriate property(ies) as detailed above, due diligence shall be done by my legal team on such properties as shall be provided by you.

    In case a property sourced by you meets my expectations and those of my partners, we shall pay you a commission of ……………………….. payable as {…………………………………}.

    This authorization is to you and is not assignable to any other party without my express approval in writing. This authorization is valid from the day of signature and shall last for a period of {……………………………………………….}.

    For any further clarification you can call me on my mobile number 123456789 or email me on [email protected]

    Yours Sincerely,

    Jane Doe

  • Sell Faster: The Top Real Estate Listing Sites in Kenya

    Sell Faster: The Top Real Estate Listing Sites in Kenya

    Nowadays, buyers are searching for properties for sale on the internet and conduct online research before partnering with an agent. If you’re anything like me, you can ALWAYS use another real estate listing website to advertise your property listings  especially when that platform is FREE.

    Here is a comprehensive list of the best real estate listing websites in Kenya. I have included a mix of property listing websites that you will easily recognize, some of these real estate advertising websites are more established, some of them have a more targeted audience for real estate. You will also find included real estate listing sites with varying amount of traffic than others.

    So, let’s dive in.

    1.    Jiji

     Jiji is a free classifieds portal for multiple products and services including properties available for sale in Kenya. This is the real estate listing website that most people think of first for listing properties for sale due to its wide reach.  It is free to advertise your property listing on Jiji.  Once you create a free listing, you can boost your properties so get more people to view it. The paid packages are quite affordable.

    With the hundreds of visitors that the site gets each month, it’s hard not to list on this platform.  It’s also worth noting that many property buyers start their search with Jiji, so it’s a great way to gain exposure to a massive audience at no cost.

    You’ll want to beware of scammers – so take time before jumping into anything.

    2.    Property254

    This is a relatively new real estate listing website dedicated to listing properties for sale only. Compared to other  websites, it can be considered an upcomer by most. The site has an average 10,000 unique visitors on a monthly basis with thousands of listings from over 1,500 agents.  

    As the site continues to grow,  its a fantastic way to increase your chances of finding a buyer for your property. You can register for free and see your sales grow.

    The website is optimized for land and plots for sale due to its unique map-based search for real estate. 

    Read more: How property254 helps you succeed as a real estate agent in Kenya

    How to List Properties on Property254

    3.    Property24

     This real estate listing website is part of an international network of property portals in Africa and is designed specifically for advertising real estate properties. The website aims to become the number one marketplace for buyers and sellers of real estate in Kenya. The website allows you to list both properties for sale and properties to rent in Kenya.

    With thousands of monthly visitors and ease of use, Property24 is an ideal platform to promote your properties for sale. Additionally, it is free to post ads on property24. You can also opt to promote your properties to increase visibility.

    The only downside is that the large number of active listing means that you are competing with thousands of other ads for visibility and you must keep refreshing your listing to stay at the top of the recently listed properties.

     4.       Buyrent Kenya

    This is one of the popular property listing websites in Kenya. The website was launched in 2012 and has been registering steady growth in traffic. The website allows you to list both properties for sale and properties to rent in Kenya.

    This real estate listing site is a great fit for people selling to a targeted audience of real estate buyers particularly in the upmarket areas of Kilimani, kitisuru, Westlands and Upper Hill.  This real estate listing website is again also designed specifically for the real estate and is focused specifically on being the most trusted marketplace for buyers and sellers of real estate.

    The website does not have a free version, so be prepared to boost your properties to increase visibility. However, if you are dealing with upmarket properties, this is the website to use as the cost to list is not prohibitive.

    5.      RE/MAX Real Estate

    RE/MAX is a world-leading brokerage with a network of over 100,000 in more than 100 countries across the globe and according to their website, Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX. Like other brokerage sites, browsers on RE/MAX’s listing site will be connected with one of their local agents. 

    This website is a member only, so you must join RE/MAX to list on the website. The website does not appear to bring a lot of visitors. And while the brand is recognized globally, it is not a big player in the local market as a listing website.

    6.    Pigiame

    This platform is well designed, looks great and it makes the process of putting together a listing very easy. The great thing about Pigiame is that it’s one of the few online real estate marketplaces that also allows property owners to post real estate listings for free but has a paid option where you can boost your property.

    Considering this website brings a fair amount of visitors each month, it may very well be worth your time and effort to upload your listing details to this website. The only drawback is that Pigiame is not an exclusive property portal.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEgyd_VqrXA&t=23s

    7.    Social media

     Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other social networking sites remain good options to list. Facebook remain the best medium when selling property. In addition to being the dominant player in social media today, Facebook has also grown into a very active and effective place to buy and sell real estate. Whether you choose to post properties for sale on your page, Facebook marketplace or in Facebook Groups, Facebook offers an opportunity to get more exposure.

    Also Read: 7tips to improve Your Facebook Page visibility and follower engagement

    Its free to post properties on Facebook and you can also ran ads. Facebook’s targeting abilities allow you to get your ad in front of the people who will find it most relevant. It’s also possible to link to your website so you can always include the more detailed listing information there.

    Important! 5Secrets of Generating Real Estate Referrals through Facebook

    What will you do now?

    Remember, the goal is to get your listing in front of as many potential buyers as possible. Therefore, look at what each of these options can bring to the table, particularly the free ones to start off.

    While it’s easy to assume your property listings only belong on websites with tons of traffic, I think it’s also important not to overlook the value of having your listings in front of many different audiences. Even when an advertising outlet is less recognized or newer to the market, it could still be worth your while to post your property information there.

  • The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Property in Real Estate

    The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Property in Real Estate

    There are most common reason why a property fails to sell faster and these comes from common mistakes made by real estate agents. See 5 common pitfalls to avoid.

    1.       Avoid using bad photos

    Your potential buyers are utilizing the internet to look for properties to purchase. The first impression is what matters most. It doesn’t matter how many channels you are advertising your properties from, if you use low quality photos you will scare off potential buyers. The photos and the videos you use to showcase your properties should be present to the eye. Potential buyers will only go to physically view the property if the photos used have an aesthetic appeal.  It’s advisable to look for a professional photographer who will take high quality photos from all angels.  Your pricing too is reflected by the kind of photos or video you have used.

    2.       Not having a good property description

    Good photos must be followed by relevant information about your property. Write that catchy property description that wills leave your potential buyers wanting. Good property description will help you sell your property faster. If the description is not good enough it will not grab the attention of the potential buyers. Make sure you have a compelling headline. Make it short but sweet. Talk about the features of your property. Talk about the entire neighborhood and all the amenities around the property. Make sure you see how to write attention grabbing property description if you want to stand out as a real estate agent. On your property description avoid typos and grammatical errors or any other detail that may mislead potential buyers.

    3.       Overpricing

    The price of a property is one of the key things that a buyer will look at. If you have set a high price for your properties you will turn off the potential buyers. Before setting your price, do a proper research on market prices in the neighborhood. See both the paste and the current sales of the property. Your selling price should be determined by the current market and not what you think it’s worth or how much money you need at the moment. Let all potential buyers be in your market range. Learn how to rice your home for sale.

    4.       Not advertising at all

    When it comes to selling, your properties should be exposed to everyone who may be interested in it. It is advertising that makes sales happens. Technology has made it possible for anyone to have presence online through free social media channels. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, twitter and Pintrest allows you to target certain buyers and promote you listings to them. It’s the best strategy to target the millennial who are obsessed with the internet and they are the current potential buyers. These platforms also allow us to interact with your prospective buyers and facilitate two-way communication with them. Social media advertisement should be one of the strategies that every real estate agent should have alongside other strategies like print media and use of listing platforms in Kenya. By all means make sure your properties are online.

    If you can’t afford to get one, the next best solution is to use a reputable listing company that will get

    5. Poor presentation

    Sometimes poor presentation of properties can turn off the buyers. How you present your properties can determine what price the property finally gets sold at. It’s all about making your property stand out. For a house, give enough attention to how your property look from outside.  Clean the driveways clear all the bushes, remove weeds. It’s also important to make sure that your house is properly maintained, well furnished, well organized, painted (in neutral colors) make sure there is proper lighting etc. These are minor details that can impress potential buyers. In case of a land, make sure the grass is not to long and that there is no rubbish scattered across the land. You can consider. Do the best you can to make sure you have an opportunity for sale. See also common presentation mistakes to avoid

    Summary

    If you want  to attract more buyers , you must use the best approach. Avoid making petty mistakes that turn the potential buyers away.

  • Places in Nairobi Metropolis where you can buy land for under Ksh1, 000, 000.

    Places in Nairobi Metropolis where you can buy land for under Ksh1, 000, 000.

    Are you looking forward to making prime commercial or residential developments within the Nairobi metropolis where land sells for under Ksh1, 000, 000? Well, if yes, then this is the right article for you, as I have listed 7 different areas that you should consider checking out in this quest.

    1.   Kangundo road.

    Kangundo road should definitely be your fast destination as there are plenty of vacant plots for sale in different areas. It is located 19 kilometers from Nairobi Central Business Division (CBD).

    Some of these areas you can choose from are; Kamulu, Joska, Malaa, Kantafu, and Ruai which are all along Kangundo road route. In these areas, a 50* 100 plot of land goes from as low as Ksh500, 000.

    2.   Kitengela.

    Kitengela is located in Kajiado County 19 kilometers from Nairobi CBD in the southern side. It is one of the fastest-growing towns in Kenya. In areas such as Acacia, KAG area, and Nonkopir youcan get a 50*100 plot of land from as low as Ksh650, 000. Due to the availability of land in Kitengela, its proximity to Nairobi town, availability of all essential amenities, and security, Kitengela has some of the best places to buy land in the Nairobi metropolis.

    3.   Juja farm.

    Juja farm is located approximately 39 kilometers from Nairobi town. Administratively, it lies within Kiambu County, Juja constituency, and Juja ward. Here a town-size plot of land (50*100) goes from as low as Ksh450, 000.

    Juja farm is one of the fastest growing towns in Kiambu County due to several reasons, among them, being, the availability of all essential amenities and the expansions of roads such as the 30 kilometers Juja farm road.

    4.   Kiserian.

    Kiserian is located 28 kilometers from Nairobi town. It is in Kajiado County at the boundary of Kajiado west and Kajiado south constituencies. In areas such as Corner baridi, Ewuaso, Birika, Oloirien a 50* 100 plot of land goes from as low as Ksh500, 000.

    5.   Ngong.

    Ngong is located in Kajiado County 34 kilometers from Nairobi town. It is among the fastest-growing towns in the country. In areas such as Ngaroj, Olmaroroi, and Kimuka, a 50*100 plot of land can go for as low as Ksh450, 000.

    6.   Ongata Rongai.

    Ongata Rongai is located in Kajiado county 18 kilometers southwest of Nairobi town. In areas such as Kandisi, Tuala, and Rangua a 50*100 plot of land goes from as low as Ksh700, 000.  

    7.   Athi River

    Athi River is located in Machakos County, 27 kilometers from Nairobi town. It is named after the Athi River, which passes through it. The town is also known as Mavoko town.

    A 50* 100 plot of land here can go from as low as Ksh600, 000.

    Conclusion

    Nairobi town is among the fastest-growing cities in Africa. The demand for land in or close to the city is very high thus the price also goes too high. Due to this reason, most people prefer to build or settle in less expensive satellite towns.

    Buying land is a lifetime decision that should never be made in haste. It is always advisable to do thorough research and I hope this article was of great help in your first step of deciding where to buy land around the Nairobi Metropolis.

    To ease the process of hunting for a plot of land,  browse listings made by the most trusted sellers in Kenya on our website.

  • Ultimate Guide to financing Your Real Estate Business in Kenya

    Ultimate Guide to financing Your Real Estate Business in Kenya

    Real estate is one of the most preferred methods of investing because not only does it provide good returns, but it also cushions one from inflation. However, real estate investment is very capital intensive. As the old saying goes, it takes money to make money and finding the right sources of finance is important.

    This post provides ideas to get your business fired up and ready to go.

    1.     Use employment Income.

    If you are formally employed, don’t quit straight away to start your business. Use the income you’re your current job to help get your real estate business off the ground. You then start your real estate business as a side hustle as you build up savings to start off your new venture. By working part time in real estate, you maintain an income to keep you going as you learn and start growing your career in real estate. You can market your properties on the side.

    2.     Tap into your savings

    Tapping your savings is the easiest way to start off. It may take longer to save enough money to get started, but the upside is that you enjoy all the profits. You can use your savings to buy a property and put it up for sale. This may be land for sale where you buy a single plot and divide it or buy a bigger piece of land and subdivide the same.

    3.     Sell Properties to raise capital.

    If you already have assets that you can sell such as vehicles, shares in the stock market, or other pieces of land, then this could be a funding source for your real estate career. If you have been saving for retirement, you can withdraw some funds up to 50% from pensions. However, draining your retirement account is typically a bad idea because it jeopardizes your future financial security in case the real estate business doesn’t succeed.

    Important: How to use Google Maps to sell more as a real estate agent.

    4.     Take a loan from friends or family

    Many small business owners get started by taking funding from friends or family who can give you a loan. While they may offer flexible repayment terms or a low-interest rate, this option comes with risks if it jeopardizes your relationship.

    Carefully consider what would happen if your real estate venture fails or it takes you much longer than expected to repay the loan. It’s essential to document the terms of a loan from family or friends, so there aren’t any misunderstandings later.

    5.     Get a business line of credit

    A business line of credit from a bank or credit union allows you to tap funds up to a limit when you need them for your business. As you repay amounts withdrawn plus interest, your credit line increases to the original amount, which you can continue to use.

    6.     Borrow From the bank.

    The above options have been using relatively cost-free money. If you don’t have any savings or assets to fund your real estate business, another option is to borrow from the bank. Many banks offer business loans to start or expand your venture. The major hindrance to financing of property development by banks has been high interest rates.

    Related: How Premier Agent helps you succeed as a real estate agent in Kenya

    7.     Get a partner/joint ventures.

    Pooling of resources is usually done by individual investors with common investment goals mainly in real estate. The resource pooling creates greater purchasing power thus more diverse and rewarding investment opportunities through simple economy of scale.  Finding a partner to team up with is always a good way to start. Beyond providing financing, the partners may also offer services, expertise or a network that would boost your success.  

    8.     Joint ventures with capital investors

    Joint ventures are arrangements where parties pool their resources together. Normally, real estate joint ventures combine the real estate development expertise and financing capability of a developer with a landowner’s contribution in the form of land.

     With real estate in Kenya having some of the highest returns, this method of financing is quickly gaining traction. The land owner and the capital investors usually form a company specifically for the project with agreed terms on how the profits from the project will be shared. The firm owner transfers the land to the project company while the investors provide funds for the construction of the project.

    9.     Presales

    This is where you prepare a show house and then request buyers to make payment before completion of the project. The revenues obtained from buyers reduce the capital that is needed to fund the project.

    10.  Government funding opportunities

    The government is usually the largest player in every industry. To support various initiatives, funds have been set aside through various bodies like the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Kenya Industrial Estate, Industrial Development Fund, Agriculture Finance Corporation and the ICDC. Visit their websites and/or offices for more information on eligibility and process.

    Conclusion

    As you can see from the above there are various real estate financing options get you started in real estate. How you fund a specific deal greatly affects the rate of return. Understanding the financial aspect is therefore crucial. Remember, every investment option of real estate financing has its own set of pros and cons, and the financing approach greatly depends upon type of the property and the situation.

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