The demand for land in Kenya has been on a steady increase over the years. Many consider this as a worthwhile investment. This has also attracted fraudsters who are on a mission to cash in from unsuspecting clients. Therefore, it is very important to be on the lookout when planning to purchase a piece of land. You should put into consideration several factors before you jump into purchasing your parcel of land.
Here are the vital factors to consider when buying land in Kenya.
1. Ownership history
It is important to do a background check on the ownership of the land you intend to purchase. Cases of fraud involving land have been on the increase in Kenya. Therefore to avoid being duped, follow the legal procedures of ascertaining the landowners by conducting a land search at the relevant authorities.
2. Location of the Land
Location greatly determines the value of the property. For instance, land that is closer to the main road will have a higher value compared to the one that is far away. You also need to consider how accessible the land is to other locations, especially if you are planning to purchase land for putting up commercial or residential units.
3. Affordability of the land
Your purchasing power should be the determinant when planning to purchase that parcel of land. You should not strain or overburden your pockets for land that will add no value to your financial status. You need to look out for a seller offering competitive and reasonable prices altogether.
4. The person/company selling the land to you
Purchasing land from a registered real estate company would be more efficient and easy compared to purchasing from an individual. This reduces chances of fraud and also ensures you get a variety of options from the professional companies. Most of the real estate companies service the lands they sell, for example providing water and electricity.
5. Topographical survey
You must do a topographical survey of the area the land is located. This will prevent future disasters and losses that might be incurred due to calamities such as floods and landslides.
6. Accessibility of service provisions and basic amenities
Look out for land that is closer to basic service provisions and amenities such as water supply, electricity, sewerage disposal and accessible roads.
7. Security
Security is a fundamental right for any Kenyan. You should go the extra mile of inquiring about the level of security within the area you intend to purchase land from. This will save you from incurring extra costs from burglaries or petty crimes, specifically if you are purchasing land to put up a commercial or residential unit.
