Buying a home for the first time can be a daunting experience, particularly in Kenya, where the real estate industry is complex and dynamic. You may have many questions and concerns as a first-time homebuyer in Kenya about the homebuying process, financing options, and government programs available to you. We will provide you with a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know as a first-time homebuyer in Kenya in this guide.
Buying a Home
The homebuying process in Kenya is divided into several key steps:
Determine your budget: Before you start looking at houses, you should know how much you can afford. This is determined by your earnings, expenses, and debts. You can estimate how much you can afford to spend on a home by using online mortgage calculators.
Find a reputable real estate agent: A good real estate agent can assist you in finding homes that meet your requirements and negotiating the best deal for you. Do your homework and select an agent with a good reputation and experience in the Kenyan real estate market.
Look at houses: Once you’ve found a real estate agent, you can begin looking at houses. Take notes and ask questions as you go along.
Make an offer: Once you’ve found a home you like, make an offer. Your real estate agent will assist you in negotiating the best possible deal.
Complete inspections: Before you close on a house, you should have it inspected for any potential problems. This could include a general inspection, pest inspection, and other services.
Close on the house: After the inspections are finished and any issues have been resolved, it’s time to close on the house. This is the time when you’ll sign all of the paperwork and make your down payment.
Financing Alternatives
In Kenya, first-time homebuyers have several financing options available to them:
Mortgage loans are the most common financing option for Kenyan homebuyers. They are provided by banks and other financial institutions and require at least a 10% down payment. Depending on the lender, interest rates and repayment terms may differ.
Housing cooperative loans: Housing cooperatives are groups of people who pool their resources to purchase a plot of land or property. They then construct homes on the property and sell them to their members. Cooperatives provide housing cooperative loans to their members to assist them in purchasing homes.
Self-help groups are groups of people who come together to save money and lend it to each other in order to buy houses. They usually require members to save a set amount of money each month and may offer low-interest loans.
Government Programs
Kenya’s government provides several programs to assist first-time homebuyers:
Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC): The KMRC is a government-owned corporation that was formed to provide long-term funding to Kenyan mortgage lenders. The company provides mortgage refinancing at low interest rates, making it easier for first-time homebuyers to obtain financing.
National Housing Corporation (NHC): The NHC is a government agency responsible for providing Kenyans with affordable housing. They provide several housing projects across the country as well as financing options to assist homebuyers in purchasing their homes.
The Housing Fund is a government initiative that was established to assist Kenyans in saving money for their first homes. Employers are required to deduct 1.5% of their employees’ salaries and remit it to the fund.
If you are contemplating whether to venture in real estate investing, this homebuyer guide is the first step in helping you evaluate both options carefully.
You should look through our exciting collection of luxurious and high-quality homes in Kenya.
