Where to put your money
Real estate has been hailed for a number of reasons for being an ideal investment option. Real estate investment has also come of age in its demographic.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Where to put your money
Rental income not favourable for small investors
There is a residential project in Lang’ata, Nairobi with three-bedroom apartments and a domestic servant quarters going for Sh12 million, and a three-bedroom without a servant quarters going for Sh10.5 million.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Rental income not favourable for small investors
Does Nairobi have what it takes to be a super city?
Nairobi has been described as many things over the years, with the running theme being that it is a city full of promise.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Does Nairobi have what it takes to be a super city?
Challenges pitting Nairobi property buyers against developer
A resident who did not want to be mentioned by name, traces the problem they have with the developer of Jacaranda Gardens to lack of communication and arming of guards, something she says is not necessary. “Jacaranda Gardens is a beautiful place to live in. Just let them give us what they promised. That is all we want,” she says.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Challenges pitting Nairobi property buyers against developer
Shortchanged? Jacaranda Gardens residents in Nairobi cry foul
Developers of Jacaranda Gardens describe it as a plush, middle-class neighbourhood with a serene, homely environment, offering a relaxing life and “elegant provisions and surroundings to allow you to dream big and let your imagination soar”.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Shortchanged? Jacaranda Gardens residents in Nairobi cry foul
Why going green works for us
We try to preserve the environment and incorporate the culture around us into the design of our (Serena) hotels.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Why going green works for us
Changes in UK army training hit Nanyuki's hospitality industry
No other town in Kenya mimics the way of life of Nairobi’s leafy suburbs of Karen and Gigiri as Nanyuki. It is not unusual to bump into 6 foot Caucasian with half of his hands covered in tattoo shopping at Nanyuki Mall.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Changes in UK army training hit Nanyuki's hospitality industry
Adopting the franchise model
Hazen Properties is among the new real estate companies in Kenya. Its forte is property agency for listing of housing and commercial units for rentals and sale, which is the top money maker for many real estate agencies.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Adopting the franchise model
‘County governments mum but communities grateful’
1. Your company, Optiven Limited’s flagship product is the value-added plots. How does this differ from other plots on the market?
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
‘County governments mum but communities grateful’
Inside the exclusive world of luxury homes sales
A Knight Frank 2013 report made mention of the drop in house sales volumes in the mid-property market. This was attributed to the rapid increase in interest rates in 2011, the effects of which were still felt in 2013.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Inside the exclusive world of luxury homes sales
The age of Victorian style
Attention to detail and opulence is evident immediately after going through the thick, wooden revolving doors of Nairobi’s Sarova Stanley Hotel.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
The age of Victorian style
Developers bet on decor to attract tenants
Catchy posters on black background, headlined ‘New Luxurious Bedsitters’, are hard to miss in Zimmerman area a stone throw away from the Thika Road Superhighway’s Roysambu footbridge.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Developers bet on decor to attract tenants
Uganda is still the Pearl of Africa
The balding Ugandan immigration officer stationed at Entebbe airport had a question. “Why are you giving me your national identity card. Where is your passport?” he asked.
By Kevin Oguoko 9 years ago
Uganda is still the Pearl of Africa
Quantity surveyors can solve tender problems
A quantity surveyor’s work is to estimate the cost of a construction project. We advise on project financials from start to finish to ensure that the project does not stall. Practising quantity surveyors are registered under the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK), which is their professional body.
By KEVIN OGUOKO 9 years ago
Quantity surveyors can solve tender problems
Planners feted for urban development
Kenyan urban planners doing exceptional work will be awarded every year in recognition of their effort.
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
Planners feted for urban development
Simple and affordable ways to upgrade your home
For many people, making their home enticing involves employing the services of an interior designer with good taste, importing high-end furniture or acquiring a large space to build an expensive-looking structure.
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
Simple and affordable ways to upgrade your home
Offices that are more than work spaces
Every year, Inc magazine lists some of the world’s best offices. They comprise some of the world’s most inspiring, spectacular, and just straight-up useful office spaces built within the last three years.
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
Offices that are more than work spaces
Simple landscaping ideas for a serene home
Landscaping can turn your compound into a serene place regardless of the environment. Contrary to popular belief, landscaping goes beyond the mere planting of plants.
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
Simple landscaping ideas for a serene home
How to choose a floor plan that works for you
After raising enough funds, Michael Ong’any embarked on plans to build his dream home upcountry. He drove to an architectural firm near his office and bought an architectural building plan of a three-bedroom house with a master ensuite.
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
How to choose a floor plan that works for you
Scaling Tanga Heights
The road leading to Tanga Heights in Kilimani, Nairobi, is lined with trees and shrubs. This seems to be the norm in this neighbourhood that is barely a 20-minute drive from the Central Business District (CBD).
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
Scaling Tanga Heights
One year later: What’s cooking in the Real Estate Investment Trusts pot?
When Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) regulations were finally gazetted last year, there was excitement across the country.
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
One year later: What’s cooking in the Real Estate Investment Trusts pot?
World Cup a score for Brazilian property owners
With about 3.1 million spectators attending the ongoing Fifa World Cup, analysts say there has never been a better time for real estate investors in Brazil
By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
World Cup a score for Brazilian property owners
One more as Mavoko grows
A dusty road leads to the 10-acre project nestled amid the gently sloping hills in the heart of Machakos County.
By By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
One more as Mavoko grows
Chasing the home ownership dream
While experts say the country is not experiencing a housing bubble, they agree that strategic measures are required to correct the situation, writes KEVIN OGUOKO
By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
Chasing the home ownership dream
Lessons from Singapore housing model
Eastern countries’ citizens save about 30 per cent of their household incomes. This figure is 4.3 per cent in Kenya.
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
Lessons from Singapore housing model
Why high-end real estate market has picked up in Nairobi
Real estate activity has picked up at the top-end of the market for the first quarter of this year, the latest Hass Property Index shows.
By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
Why high-end real estate market has picked up in Nairobi
Interiors sector growing amid challenges
The high cost of doing business has made local manufacturers shy away from supplying the market with locally-made interior products, but some have taken the plunge, writes KEVIN OGUOKO
By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
Interiors sector growing amid challenges
Counties killing home ownership dreams
New increased property taxes means developers will pay more to put up new housing units and pass the additional costs to buyers, writes KEVIN OGUOKO
By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
Counties killing home ownership dreams
‘Nema has gained public trust over the years’
Nema Director General Geoffrey Wahungu shades light on the institution:
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
‘Nema has gained public trust over the years’
Experts raise alarm over huge tax rises
Property experts have raised an alarm over the huge rise in property taxes charged by county governments.
By By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
Experts raise alarm over huge tax rises
When the gated lifestyle dream collapses
Many developers promise prospective buyers ‘great lifestyle’ when marketing their yet-to-be developed housing estates
By Kevin Oguoko 10 years ago
When the gated lifestyle dream collapses
When the gated lifestyle dream collapses
Many developers promise prospective buyers ‘great lifestyle’ when marketing their yet-to-be developed housing estates. But as buyers in some of these estates quickly realise, not all that glitters is gold, writes KEVIN OGUOKO
By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
When the gated lifestyle dream collapses
Is Nairobi growing into a global real estate hotspot?
Barely a year ago, was Nairobi named the second most expensive city to live in in Africa after Nigeria’s Lagos. World’s most expensive cities, which include New York, London, Dubai and Hong Kong, are also among the most expensive places to buy a home in the world.
By By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
Is Nairobi growing into a global real estate hotspot?
Meet Arthur 24, a professional basket ball player
ARTHUR AMESO, 24, is a professional basketball player attached to the Strathmore Blades. He spoke to KEVIN OGUOKO about his life and how talent has elevated him from grass to grace.
By KEVIN OGUOKO 10 years ago
Meet Arthur 24, a professional basket ball player
New app to simplify property investment
Picture this: A world of real estate investment decisions with no fear of losses. All the relevant information, backed with statistics and relevant documents, being only a click away.
By KEVIN OGUOKO 11 years ago
New app to simplify property investment
Embakasi’s Airview Apartments
Being close to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Eastern bypass, Embakasi has attracted interest from Nairobi’s working population, especially those who use these facilities frequently.
By Kevin Oguoko 11 years ago
Embakasi’s Airview Apartments
Buying land the right way
With homeowners, across the country, being evicted after years on a piece of land, when they have even developed the said land, it is important to ensure the land you buy has no encumbrances
By KEVIN OGUOKO 11 years ago
Buying land the right way
How to make your home safe
Owning a home provides a sense of security. But what happens when a place that is supposed to be a safety hub is prone to accidents? This is, however preventable.
By Kevin Oguoko 11 years ago
How to make your home safe
How safe are off-plan deals?
Buyers who pay for a property long before the foundations are done seek to get bargain deals. But with most developers shunning escrow accounts, what is the guarantee that buyers would not lose their hard-earned money should something go wrong?
By KEVIN OGUOKO 11 years ago
How safe are off-plan deals?
Your dream home could be only a tweet away
In a world that is increasingly becoming dominated by social media, real estate marketers are making sure they are not left behind. Thus, #hashtags and retweets are increasingly becoming a common language among house hunters and sellers.
By KEVIN OGUOKO 11 years ago
Your dream home could be only a tweet away