Buying land in Kenya has become quite unpredictable nowadays thanks to the growing number of land fraudsters whose aim is to prey on gullible citizens looking to buy land. Many have lost millions of their hard earned money to these swindlers.
Fortunately, you can easily avoid such disappointments by following the due process of buying land in Kenya. Most of the people who continue to play into the hands of these land phonies are those who like using shortcuts. Regrettably, there is no shortcut in this crucial venture. Here are important tips for buying land in Kenya.
Identify the Land
In this digital era you do not have to waste time going around in search of property sale signs; use the countless online property websites in Kenya to search for the kind of land you wish to buy. Once you have identified the piece of land, do the due diligence. Visit the property and do all the necessary inspections. Consult the neighbors if possible to know if the land is genuine and if it floods during the rainy season.
Conduct a Search
In fact this is mandatory for anyone planning on buying land in Kenya. It will be naïve to assume that you can buy land without doing a proper search. Any genuine seller will provide you with all the necessary documentation to help you do a thorough on the piece of land. Anybody who is reluctant to give you this information is a fraudster. Ask them for the title deed or any other supporting document to help you with the search. To do the search, you need to apply for the search at the Lands Registry. It takes 2-3 days to get all the information about the property. The results should include; the registered owner, size of the land, and any hindrances against the property like loans and court orders.
Sale Agreement
If you are satisfied with the information you get from the Lands Registry, you can initiate the sale process, which involves hiring a lawyer to draft a sale agreement for you. While most lawyers have a standard agreement, you have to ensure it suits your circumstances. Make sure the agreement has an official stamp from your lawyer and all the necessary payments are made.
Transfer of Property
At this stage of buying land in Kenya, your lawyer will draft a transfer document which the seller and their advocate must sign. For land transfer to be completed, important documentations such as copies of identity cards, PIN certificates, clearance certificates, land valuation and photos are required from both parties.
Land Registration
After the transfer, you are required to do valuation of the land, register it and pay all the necessary land rates. Without following these steps, don’t lie to yourself that you are buying land in Kenya. It will backfire on you when you least expect.