If there ever was a reason for you to jump on that plane and make your way to Kenya, this one would be it: it is the third favourite in the list of real estate investment destinations!

According to the Daily Nation, March 13th edition, Kenya comes in third after the UK and the US respectively. Anne Njanja writes that a study indicates that almost a quarter of the continent’s wealthy have invested in real estate in Kenya.

The article establishes that a survey by KnightFrank’s Attitudes pegs the percentage of mega-rich Africans who have property in Kenya at 26%. 33% have invested in the US and 67% have opted for the UK.

What about Kenya’s own wealthy?

This speaks volumes about Kenya’s potential for growth, especially in the real estate sector. She tops Africa as an investment destination of choice. It is also worth noting that uber-wealthy Kenyans also opt to invest in their own country’s real estate industry. 59% of them have bought property in the country while only about 27% of them have invested outside Kenya. Knight’s survey reveals that 42% of the wealthy were open to getting involved in the real estate sector.

Areas of Interest

The following areas garnered a lot of interest from potential investors:

Office developments – 39%.

Residential – 28%.

Agricultural – 28%.

Student accommodation – 22%.

Infrastructure – 17%.

Industrial – 11%.

Healthcare – 6%.

Retirement homes – 6%.

Effect of the 2016-17 Slump

There was a slump in real estate in 2016 and 2017 which caused concern that investors might be discouraged and pull out. Interestingly, research indicated that investors continued to show interest despite the dip in prices.

The local real estate sector has since shown signs of improvement and is slowly and steadily regaining its glory. Woodhams has reported that there has been a clamour for prime residential properties. So far, they have sold two properties worthy of 203M after the recently concluded general elections. This can only mean that good things are in store for Kenya as far as real estate investment is concerned.

Get a Piece of the Excitement

If you have been hesitant, it is time to give this beautiful East African country a second keener look. There are plush surroundings where you can buy land for development or invest in property that will fetch you good returns should you decide to resell in future.

Other reports declare that Kenya is “a hotspot for hunters of luxury homes” according to Business Daily March 9th edition. The report declares in part that wealthy Kenyans prefer to invest in real estate than any other investment options provided.

Yet another report in the Business Daily, February 15th, indicates that Britons and Nigerians are top buyers of homes in Kenya. It reports that the wealthiest individuals globally are flocking Nairobi in a bid to get a share of luxury homes that cost from KSHs 80 million.

There you have it! There are enough reasons for you to jump on the real estate investment bandwagon. If successful people around the world think that the Kenyan real estate industry is a worthwhile venture, you will do well to sit up and pay attention. There has to be something special therein. Get yourself a piece of the pie.