Buying land something most Kenyans look forward to but the real estate industry is often very difficult to navigate. One of the key mistakes that land buyers make is failing to ask the crucial questions about the property, which in turn makes their investment unfulfilling.
Investing in land is a major step so you should take every precaution before making a commitment. Here are the top five questions you should ask before buying a piece of land in Kenya.
Freehold land gives the buyer absolute ownership of the land for life, and their descendants can inherit it as long as the family lineage exists.
There are often no restrictions on the use or occupation of freehold land. However, there are instances where land is freehold on the condition that it used for specific purposes such as agriculture and ranching.
Leasehold land on the other hand gives the buyer interest in the piece of land for a specified period of time, usually 99 years, subject to payment of fees to the local or national government. The leaseholder then has to apply for an extension or renewal of the lease when it is over.
It is important that you know whether the piece of land you are investing in is on freehold or leasehold. If the land is on leasehold, find out the terms of the lease before buying the property.
Buyers often assume that the land sellers have clearly set out roads to their property. This is not always the case.
Always ask for the site maps and pay special attention to the demarcated roads and the other plots of land around you. Trace the roads leading up to your property and ensure that they are convenient and usable during the rainy season.
The government, local authorities, and neighborhood committees can sometimes place restrictions on land usage. If these restrictions affect the intended use of the property, it would be wise to learn more about them before purchasing the piece of land.
Are the weather changes going to affect the condition of the land? Is the residential property viable for its intended usage?
Many people jump at the possibility of buying land and fail to perform basic precautionary investigations, then regret the purchase decision later.
Is the area connected with electricity and water? What is the condition of the sewer lines?
When buying a piece of land in a remote place, it is easy to assume that the basic resources will be available. Make sure you find out whether the area is connected with electricity and has a reliable source of water. If it isn’t, you should ask the relevant authorities for a quote on the cost of connection before investing.
Don’t forget to check out the surrounding amenities.
