Real estate in Kenya

Kenya is a country with a growing economy and a young population. This makes it a great place to invest in real estate. The real estate market in Kenya is diverse and offers a wide range of properties, from affordable apartments to luxury villas. Property prices in Kenya vary depending on the location, type and size of the property. Key benefits of investing in Kenyan real estate include high rental yields due to high demand from tenants, relatively low property prices compared to other major cities and significant capital appreciation potential given the country's rapidly growing economy.

Foreign nationals can obtain an electronic visa (eVisa) for short trips to Kenya to view property and for initial negotiations.
The main requirements for obtaining an eVisa for Kenya:

Validity period - up to 90 days;
Possibility of staying in the country for a maximum of 30 days per trip;
Visa costs and processing time at buch-dein-visum.de can be found in the visa calculator

With an e-visa you can stay in Kenya for tourism purposes. For long-term stays and real estate transactions, other types of visas are required - business visas, investment visas, residence permits.
It is quite easy to apply for an e-visa, the main thing is to apply for it in advance. This is the best option to familiarize yourself with real estate investment opportunities in Kenya.

Nairobi is the capital and largest city in Kenya as well as the country's financial and business center. There is high demand for residential and commercial real estate, particularly in the city center. The growth potential for residential real estate is above the national average.
Mombasa is the second largest city, a major seaport and a popular tourist destination. Investing in real estate to rent out to tourists can provide a stable income. Real estate in the countryside is also promising.
Kisumu - the third largest city by population, an important industrial and business center. The demand for office and warehouse space for rent is growing rapidly. The potential for value appreciation in commercial real estate is high.
Other promising cities are Eldoret, Nakuru and Thika. When selecting a region, it is important to consider the pace of economic development, the income level of the population and the level of investment in infrastructure. A careful analysis will help to make the most profitable investments in real estate in Kenya.

Under the Kenyan Constitution, foreign nationals have the right to acquire property in Kenya, but there are certain restrictions.
In particular, foreigners can only acquire ownership of land on the basis of leasehold rights but cannot own it as freehold. At the same time, the maximum permitted lease term for foreigners is 99 years with the possibility of subsequent extension of the lease.
Thus, foreign nationals cannot legally own land in Kenya indefinitely, but in practice the 99-year lease term allows them to own the land for a long period of time.
Real estate can be acquired by foreign nationals on a general basis. However, special permission from the Kenyan government is required for foreign nationals to acquire property.
Kenyan legislation therefore does not generally prohibit the acquisition of real estate by foreigners, but regulates it in order to limit the excessive expansion of foreign capital in the real estate sector.

• Study the Kenyan legislation on foreign ownership of real estate. Familiarize yourself with the restrictions and requirements.
• Decide whether you want to lease or buy. Foreigners can only lease land for up to 99 years. Real estate can be purchased.
• Check the chosen property thoroughly - title documents, absence of encumbrances and disputes.
• Hire an experienced local lawyer specializing in real estate to assist you with the transaction.
• Obtain the necessary official permits for the purchase of a property by a foreigner.
• Check the seller's title deeds for the property.
• Draw up the purchase contract with the help of a lawyer. Include all the necessary terms and conditions.
• Have the property surveyed to establish the boundaries.
• Pay the government fees to register the transaction and formalize the title.
• Make the payments for the purchase properly and keep all financial records.
• Once the registration is complete, you will receive title to the property.
• If you have any questions, please contact the lawyer who assisted with the transaction, even after the purchase.

Compliance with all formalities ensures the security and legality of the property purchase by a foreigner in Kenya.

Foreign nationals can apply for a mortgage loan for a property in Kenya.
To obtain a mortgage loan, foreign nationals must meet a number of requirements set by Kenyan banks: a high stable income, a positive credit history and a solid down payment. In addition, the borrower must provide a comprehensive package of documents, including proof of identity, proof of income, bank statements and letters of recommendation from other lenders.
Some major Kenyan banks such as Standard Chartered Kenya and the National Bank of Kenya offer mortgage loans to non-residents and foreigners. The terms and conditions of such loans may vary - loan amount, interest rates and fees are determined by the respective bank.
With a mortgage in Kenya, foreigners can solve various problems: invest in real estate, purchase housing to obtain a residence permit, build a house or consolidate existing loans. The main advantage for foreigners is the ability to use flexible financial instruments to invest in the promising Kenyan real estate market.

Although foreigners are legally allowed to purchase property in Kenya, the process can be difficult in practice.
One of the main problems is the language barrier, as most documents and procedures are written in Swahili or English.
In addition, foreigners lack an understanding of local laws, traditions and cultural sensitivities in business.
Another common difficulty is bureaucratic delays in processing approval documents in Kenyan authorities.
However, with the right preparation and cooperation with qualified lawyers and real estate agents, most of these problems can be successfully overcome. The most important thing is to be patient and accept unfamiliar business conditions.