If you are in the market to buy real estate outside Kenya, chances are you won’t be able to secure a local mortgage to finance the property. Even in places where mortgage lending exists, the terms may be far less favourable than you would normally find at home.
Depending on the country, you could pay a higher interest rate and a much larger down payment. Also, you might be required to take out a life insurance policy for the amount of the mortgage, naming the bank as the beneficiary.
Depending on the country, some insurers place upper age limits on who can take out a life insurance policy.
Since mortgages generally aren’t available to Kenyan buyers overseas and most Kenyan banks won’t lend for purchases abroad. What are some alternatives if you want to buy a home in a foreign country?
Here, we take a look at three ways to finance your foreign real estate purchase.
Cash
They say cash is king, and this can certainly be true when it comes to buying property abroad. Not only will you be able to close the deal faster, but you will also likely get the best price through discounts or upgrades – or both.
In general, paying cash is recommended only if the property in question is already built. If you pay cash upfront for something that’s not built yet, there is always the risk that the developer could run out of money. Or have some other problem that would either delay or prevent project completion. In these situations, it could be tough, or at least time consuming, to get your money back.
Developer Financing
Depending on the country, you may qualify for developer financing if you purchase a lot, home site, or pre-construction property in the development. Developer financing typically involves little paperwork, and there are no age restrictions or life insurance requirements. Another perk is that sometimes, developer financing is interest-free.
With one type of developer financing, you make payments on fixed dates. For example, 10% when you sign the purchase agreement, 10% after six months, another 10% after 12 months, and the balance when the project is complete.
Rather than fixed dates, another arrangement has you make payments according to construction stages. Like paying 10% down, 20% when the foundation is complete, 20% after the first floor is complete, etc.
With another type of developer financing, you make regular payments each month. If you purchase a Kes 5,000,000 lot in Rwanda, for example, you might pay something like Kes 120,000 each month for four years, depending on the interest rate, if applicable.
Research on the property taxes
Tax laws are complicated and change periodically. It’s always a good idea to work with a qualified tax specialist and/or real estate attorney to make sure you understand both the risks and implications of investing in foreign real estate.
The Bottom Line
If you buy land outside Kenya, keep in mind that transaction costs may add quite a bit to the overall cost of the property. One of the larger fees is a transfer fee or stamp duty. A tax levied by many countries that can add more than 10% to the sales price. You might also end up paying an attorney, notary and registration fees, plus your share of the real estate agent’s commission.
Before buying any property outside Kenya, it’s important to check the local laws to make sure you are even allowed to buy real estate. Even if you can buy real estate in a certain country, there might be limitations on the type(s) of property foreigners can buy.
For example, in some countries, you can buy a unit in an apartment project – as long as 60% of the units are owned by locals. Foreigners, however, generally aren’t able to own a house or land.
There may also be rules regarding what happens if you want to sell the property. In other countries, foreigners are welcome to buy property, but if they ever sell it, the money has to be kept in a local bank account.
When purchasing a home overseas, it is of the utmost importance to ensure the transaction is conducted in a manner that will protect your property rights. In the United States, homebuyers receive title to the property; however, this distinction is not as clear in every country.
Consulting a qualified real estate professional and an attorney will help ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, your property rights are protected, and all necessary paperwork is completed.
Related: Buying an Investment in Kenya When You Live Elsewhere