By Cathrine Khasoa

The 2023-2024 survey on the real estate sector by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicates that the sector output grew from 6.7 per cent to 7.3 per cent over the same period. According to the survey, growth in the sector has been supported by infrastructural development such as roads, utility connections, rapid urbanization, better returns on investment in the sector and several government initiatives towards affordable housing.

Coming on the hinge of the recent Africa Urban Conference 2026 in Nairobi, real estate was at the core of deliberations alongside the discourse on affordable housing and the leverage for habitats across the continent. Under the theme “Adequate Housing for All: Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation towards the Realization of Agenda 2063 the conference brought together policymakers, city leaders, development partners, the private sector, and international experts to deliberate on practical and scalable solutions to Africa’s urbanization challenges. Key to these challenges is the accessibility to affordable and habitable land especially within rapidly growing urban and peri urban areas.

When it comes to matters urbanization, then there is need to focus on real estate and how to identify the same amidst the growing number of companies in the country. I spoke to Dr. George Wachiuri on how land affects urbanization and this is what he had to say:
Urbanization – at the foundation level, cannot happen without land and that is the paramount starting point that determines how fast and how far the journey to urbanization will take. With this realization, Optiven has plugged in to provide opportunities for investors at all levels to ensure that as many investors as possible are able to afford land.

All these are great indicators that the sector is set to grow in the next decade post-2030. This is also a key gauge of why there is need to sift through the information in order to make an informed decision on which real estate to engage when making an investment. Why? Simply because the number of real estate companies continues to rise amidst the challenge of validity and authenticity of their operations. Here are nine factors that determine the kind of real estate company to invest with.

TRANSPARENCY
A trustworthy company is clear about the pricing of it’s products. This must communicate the total cost of the property with no hidden charges including the payment structure as well as project timelines. The company you engage has the mandate to explain clearly any queries you may have as an investor before you make a decision to invest.

PROFESSIONALISM
How do you perceive the staff you engage with at the real estate company you are working with? The reality on the ground is that you can tell a lot from how the staff engage with you. From the welcome to how they present themselves and the brand they represent, you can tell if you are dealing with a professional or an impostor.

OFFERING
While the issue of real estate may appear to be an open book, always ask the company to explain what they have on offer. This will include above the usual land for sale, offer for site visits, explanation of benefits of your investment, and how the investment will meet your needs.

PAYMENTS
A great real estate company is cognizant of the different financial strengths of it’s customers. Apart from engaging them to invest in the projects available, it is the responsibility of the investor to request more information on the available payment plans. For example installment plans and deposit structures are key to determine an investor’s decision to take up the land.

LOCATION
In real estate, location of both the land and the company selling it are important. Before you make the first payment, find out where is the real estate company located? In addition to the office location, also do a background check of the company and due diligence on the properties on offer before buying. Then check the location of the projects to ensure that it meets the needs of your requirements for investment. Smart companies invest in high-demand, well-planned areas, not speculative land.

Here are a six questions you can ask yourself on matters of location of the land:-

  1. Is the land in proximity with key amenities?
  2. Is the land appropriate for settlement?
  3. Is the land accessible to you as the investor?
  4. Does the land have a legitimate title deed?
  5. Is the neighbourhood developed?
  6. Is the area scalable for future developments?

PERSPECTIVE
A great real estate company has a strong positive reputation and great reviews. This can be gauged through interaction with the company’s information including customer feedback, newsletter information, public communications and project reviews. It is necessary to note that a company that has great public relations and customer service will naturally grow through referrals.

KNOWLEDGE
A reputable real estate company understands the topography of the projects it is offering for sale including how it will be used. They also understand the areas that are growing such as urban hotspots and satellite towns. With research and development in place, the real estate company becomes an information hub for future infrastructure plans around the project as well as investment potential in the area.

COMPLIANCE
Nothing provides more peace of mind for an investor thank knowing the real estate company you are working with is compliant legally and financially. Compliance means the company is duly registered and works with licensed professionals including having capacity to protect the invest from fraud and unfinished projects.

AUTHENTICITY
An authentic real estate company has a proven track record to deliver what they promise. A reliable real estate company has completed projects and satisfied clients, not just plans on paper. So what signals should you look for? Past or completed projects that you can physically visit for evaluation. Evidence of issued title deeds or completed units. Consistent timelines on promises such as value additions completed. Also look out for legitimate title deeds, proper land ownership documents and compliance with the laws.

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Cathrine Khasoa is the LEAD for Corporate Affairs at Optiven Limited.

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