There are many ways to acquire land in Kenya, including a gift or inheritance. Nonetheless, such options do not give you as much control as buying. Buying land in Kenya, the most important asset in the real estate industry, is not complicated. You’ll find, negotiate, buy, and acquire land within a few simple steps. Buying gives you the power to identify the most suitable option, including the size, location, use, and tenure. With your budget, you can find a parcel that matches your requirements. Today, finding prime land is not an overwhelming process. Visit this website; you’ll easily find land, learn more about the going rates, and other information that helps you make sound land acquisitions. Here is a look at the steps to buying land in Kenya.

Ownership verification

You have identified the land you want to buy, but does the seller own it? Ask for a copy of the title, but don’t stop there. A land registry search is a part o the due diligence process. With the copy of the title, file a search application, which, on average, costs Kshs 500 and takes as fast as two hours to get the results. The results detail the registered owner, size, and caveats against the land.

The next step is to ensure the land has not accrued unpaid rates. A search at the county office furnishes you with this information, ensuring you don’t buy land with a significant financial burden. The accumulated rates should be factored in the final price, or the owner first settles it before concluding the transition.

Get the maps

You need to be sure about what you are buying, its location, and adjacent properties, details that the map ascertains. You get the maps from the Ministry of Lands or a surveyor at a nominal fee. One map is drawn to scale, providing a general view of the area. The other provides a more detailed overview, including the adjacent plots. With the maps, contact a surveyor, visit the site, and verify the dimension. If not already in place, erect beacons and ensure they are placed correctly if present. With this bit, you now know the owner and have ascertained the land dimensions, meaning you are clear to progress to the negotiations.

Purchase offer and sale agreement

Following the situation, you can negotiate the price, agree, and have the seller prepare the sale agreement. You may have to prepare the purchase offer in other instances, requiring an advocate’s services. The offer details your details, the seller, land description, proposed price, and payment method. If the seller agrees, they prepare and present a sale agreement detailing similar information with their advocate’s services and including additional ones like the documents required to facilitate land registration and transfer. Before signing the agreement, ensure you understand each clause. Ensure your advocate is present during the sale agreement signing.

Land clearance

Land control board clearance is essential, ensuring that the land sale is transparent. The board comprises the county commissioner and area elders. They ensure that the land sale won’t be haunted by chaos, for example, an uncanny individual selling family land without other members’ consent. Once the clearance certificate is provided, you can proceed with the payments, and the buyer will provide signed transfer forms.

Ownership transfer

The signed transfer forms, Clearance certificate, your ID, and KRA pin are required as you proceed to ownership transfer. You also must pay the stamp duty, which includes applying for valuation from the government valuer. After paying the stamp duty and settling the balance with the seller, you’ll finalize the registration of the documents. The registration process takes a few days, after which the ownership legally changes hands, and you are the new landowner.

The land buying process is clear enough. It protects the buyers and sellers while making the process seamless. Don’t try to cut corners; you could end up with land characterized by pending cases, unpaid rates, or family friction, making it hardly productive.