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Advice on buying, renting and selling property in Kenya, plus neighbourhood guides, decor ideas and market news.
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602 articles · page 2 of 51
Is Now a Good Time to Buy Property in Kenya?
The economy is changing. Interest rates have come down from where they were a year ago, but the cost of living remains high. Kenya's economic outlook is not all negative. Borrowing may be more predictable, but everyday expenses are still putting pressure on household budgets. Ultimately, the best time to buy is not when the headlines say the market is perfect.It is when the property, the price and your finances make sense together. If you have been thinking about buying property in Kenya, you may be wondering whether now is the right time. The economy is changing. Interest rates have come down from where they were a year ago, but the cost of living remains high. At the same time, Kenya is he
Kenya’s Middle-Class Housing: Why Affordable Homes Remain a Challenge
Kenya’s middle class is expected to grow as the economy expands. And as more people earn more, the need for decent housing is likely to grow too. But there is a difference between wanting a home and being able to afford one. Making middle-class housing more affordable will require more than simply building more homes.First, access to affordable mortgages needs to improve. Kenya’s housing market has a growing gap. There is strong demand for homes, but for many middle-income Kenyans, finding a home they can comfortably afford remains difficult. Developers are also feeling the pressure as they look for financing and try to understand what buyers actually need. According to industry players, this is pushing more developers to fo
Affordable Housing Levy in Kenya: What the Court Ruling Means
The ruling, delivered on September 25, 2026, means the government can continue collecting the levy. The Court of Appeal has now dismissed the appeals challenging the law, meaning the levy remains in place. The court did, however, raise an issue around the role of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) in the law-making process. The Affordable Housing Levy is staying in place after the Court of Appeal dismissed challenges against the law. The ruling, delivered on September 25, 2026, means the government can continue collecting the levy and using it to fund its affordable housing programme. But what does this actually mean for employees, employers and people looking to buy a home? READ ALSO :
Finding Your Dream Home: What to Look for Before You Buy or Rent
Finding your dream home sounds simple until you actually start looking. Suddenly, there are dozens of neighbourhoods to consider, hundreds of listings to scroll through and a long list of things you didn't realise you cared about. Is the apartment big enough? Is the neighbourhood convenient? Can you afford it comfortably? And what about parking, security, water and internet? It is easy to get carried away by a beautiful living room or a great view. But before you fall in love with a property, there are a few things worth considering. READ ALSO : The Perfect Match: How to Find Your Dream Home Start With What You Actually Need Before you start searching, make a list of your must-haves. How many bedrooms do y
Is Kenya’s Property Market Becoming a Buyer’s Market?
Are Kenyan buyers gaining more negotiating power? When buyers have more options to choose from, sellers may have to compete harder for their attention. As of July 2026, the average commercial bank lending rate stood at 14.39%, down from 17.2% in November 2024. For anyone looking to buy or sell property in 2026, understanding that shift may be just as important as understanding the property itself. I came across a story recently about how the US property market is slowly shifting in favour of buyers. For years, sellers had the upper hand, but new data shows that sellers now outnumber buyers by 58%, the widest gap recorded since Redfin began tracking the data in 2013. Homes are also staying on the market for longer, with almost five months of inventory available. What caught my attention, however, was not just what is happening in the US.
Real Estate Trends in Kenya in 2026: What Buyers, Renters and Investors Need to Know
While residential property prices have continued to rise, the pace has been relatively moderate. Road access, schools, hospitals, shopping centres, workplaces and other amenities can make an area more attractive over time. Current market data shows a significant gap between rental prices across different locations, with Nairobi continuing to record some of the country's highest rents. Real estate in Kenya is changing, but not necessarily in the dramatic way headlines sometimes suggest. In 2026, the market is being shaped by a mix of affordability, changing buyer preferences, financing conditions, infrastructure, technology and the continued demand for housing. For anyone looking to buy, rent, develop or invest in property, understanding
Small Space, Big Style: Interior Design Ideas for Apartments
Before buying furniture or decorating, look at how you actually use each room. Furniture with built-in storage can also help reduce clutter, particularly in bedrooms and living areas. A neutral base can make a room feel bright and provide flexibility, but you can introduce colour through cushions, artwork, curtains, rugs or even an accent wall. Living in an apartment often means making the most of the space you have. You may have a beautiful living room, but it also needs to accommodate your sofa, dining area, television, storage and perhaps even a small workspace. Your bedroom has to fit your bed, clothes and everything else you need without feeling crowded. The good news is that a smaller space does not mean you have to compromise on
How Much Rent Can You Afford in Nairobi in 2026?
It is very easy to find a house you love, only to realise that it does not fit your budget. Rental prices vary significantly depending on where you look and the type of property you want. If your rental budget is between KSh20,000 and KSh40,000, you have quite a few neighbourhoods to consider, particularly outside Nairobi's most expensive areas. Before you start viewing houses, work out what you can comfortably spend each month, including your other regular expenses. Then look at the neighbourhoods and property types that fit that budget. Looking for a house to rent should always start with one major question: How much can I afford? Most people, however, start with t
How Much House Can You Afford in Nairobi in 2026?
If you are thinking about buying a home in Nairobi, one of the first questions you will probably ask is: How much can I actually afford? It is an important question because the answer is not simply about finding a house you like and checking whether the price fits your salary. Your deposit, monthly income, existing loans, interest rate, loan term and other household expenses all affect what you can realistically spend. And with property prices varying widely across Nairobi, your budget can also determine where you look and the type of home you can consider. So, before you start saving listings, here is what to look at when working out how much house you can afford in Nairobi in 2026. Start with what you can comfortably pay each month The price of a home is only one part of the calculation. If you are buying through a mortgage, the
Why You Should Visit an Off-Plan Property Before You Buy
The apartment or house might look perfect in the render, but what is the neighbourhood actually like? If the project is already underway, seeing the site gives you a better idea of where things stand. That doesn't mean every off-plan project is risky. It simply means that the developer matters just as much as the property you're buying. Before signing anything, understand what happens if the project doesn't finish when promised. If you are in the season of looking for a home, I am sure you know what off-plan means. You see an ad for a beautiful apartment. The price looks good
Why Your Property Isn’t Selling: 6 Things to Check
According to the Kenya Property Centre’s Q3 2026 report, the median time to sell among 209 completed sales recorded on its platform was 579 days . Your asking price may have made sense when you bought the property or first put it on the market. Beyond the number of bedrooms, give them the information they need to make a decision. Before making a major change, step back and look at the listing as a buyer would. You listed your property expecting enquiries to come in. Maybe they did at first. But months later, it is still on the market. So, what is going wrong? It may not be the property itself. Sometimes, the problem is how it is priced, presented or positioned against the other properties buyers
Boma Yangu Clarifies When Monthly Housing Payments Begin
The State Department for Housing and Urban Development has clarified that monthly payments begin after a unit has been allocated and the homeowner takes occupation. Applicants who are still waiting for their units to be allocated can continue saving towards their homes if they are financially able to do so. For social housing units, the deposit is 5% of the unit's value, while affordable housing units require a 10% deposit. Kenyans who have received offer letters for homes under the Boma Yangu affordable housing programme do not need to immediately start making their monthly housing payments if they are still waiting for allocation and occupation. The State Department for Housing and Urban Development has clarified that monthly p