•Despite the pandemic’s challenges, the real estate industry is optimistic about 2022.
•With land available in Nanyuki, they walk you through the process of owning land and guide you through all the land purchasing ropes.
Image: FILE
It was a little over two weeks ago when Caroline Mutoko took the social media streets by storm. To be fair she always does. This time round she played like Caro, making headlines that turned not only my head but my thinking.
The headline in question “Caroline Mutoko Buys Land For 11-Year-Old Daughter, 4-Year-Old Son.
If you honestly take a minute to think about the headline, I know you will begin to ask questions - the right ones at that.
For most of us, growing up was a struggle, we grew up in the era where all we heard daily was “money does not grow on trees, and other short stories.”
We don’t blame our parents, we just understood their way of life, and as adults, we have come to terms with the fact that they had a lot to balance to make ends meet.
But to be honest, never did we hear our parents say, “here is some land for you Ashley, you have done well - especially not at the age of 4 years.
This could be a story about a headline, or this could be a story about land - your choice! Over the years, land has morphed from something that Maina Kageni talks about on the regular, to something that has become easily accessible to Kenyans.
What is lacking is the information. In my own pursuit of land, I never thought it would be something I would own one day, on the contrary, it was one of those things left to “those people” - My journey began by first weighing my investing options.
I had hustled through life - no reference to any political association - and now I finally had some coins that made me feel bold enough to walk tall, and look at investing options, that had me finally settling on land!
In Kenya, one cannot talk about investment without the thought of purchasing land crossing one’s mind! Caroline had already crossed my mind, so it was really an easy play.
Why land for me though, is the infinite idea of having a space I can call my own, also secretly - I wanted to be one of those Maina Kageni followers who have plots. I digress.
My research also led to some myth-busting moments, such as the fact that you don’t need to be rich to buy land. You can actually become a land owner by making regular payments - who would have thought that a Kiswahili saying would be apt in this situation, as it goes, “haba na haba indeed hujaza kibaba.”
Land investment, like any other business, does come with its fair share of challenges. When you get it right, however, you will look back and pinch yourself, for having not bought that piece of land sooner.
It is a well-known myth that land appreciates slowly. However, this depends on the location and whether the value is added to that piece of land.
Katsong, one of the best real estate companies I have come across so far, make it their lifelong ambition to ensure that your feet are firmly planted on the real estate ladder.
With land available in Nanyuki, they walk you through the process of owning land and guide you through all the land purchasing ropes.
Do not confuse them to be an agent - there is a huge difference. Like any business, it takes time to realize profits but it is possible to make a sizable return on investment on your land or piece of real estate.
What you do with the land determines how quickly you make back your money.
But this also depends on what you want to use your land for. You could use it for commercial purposes, or you would want to put up a house for rent or probably even live there yourself.
Despite the pandemic’s challenges, the real estate industry is optimistic about 2022. Housing demand is expected to remain strong.
So my conclusion - is land a great investment? - Absolutely. But you need a good reliable trustworthy company to walk you through the nitty gritty.
When it comes to selecting a company to work with, there are certain things you need to look out for.
Does the company overpromise? Redflag. Are they a product of “kizungu mob?” Red flag.
We’ve all heard the con stories, so be a nag, it’s your money after all.
Another common thing I hear is doing your own search of the land- the question remains, how? My advice: a plethora of companies exist, find one that tickles your fancy and walk with them.
I found Katsong - let’s see what you find. My plan is to make the next headline -and of course, invest wisely and safeguard my wealth, by putting away a little today for my future and my children’s future.