Buying property in Nairobi isn’t just about the sale price. Once you own land or a home, property taxes in Kenya kick in — and these can significantly affect your long-term cost of ownership. Many buyers focus on stamp duty during purchase, but forget that annual land rates, rent charges, and capital gains tax also play a role. Here’s a breakdown of what every buyer and investor should...

What Is Stamp Duty in Nairobi Real Estate? Stamp duty in Nairobi real estate is a tax charged on the transfer of property ownership. It is paid to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and is one of the biggest upfront costs buyers face when acquiring a home or piece of land. This fee applies whether you are buying an apartment in Kilimani, a townhouse in Lavington, or land in Kiambu. For many buyers,...

What Is a Mortgage Rate Buydown? A mortgage rate buydown is when the seller (often a developer in Kenya) pays money upfront to lower the buyer’s interest rate for the first few years of the mortgage. Instead of reducing the property’s price, the developer partners with a bank to make monthly repayments more affordable at the start of the loan. This is becoming more visible in Nairobi’s...

What Are Seller Concessions in Nairobi? Seller concessions in Nairobi are incentives a seller offers to reduce the upfront cost of buying a home. Instead of lowering the asking price, the seller agrees to cover certain expenses — making the home more affordable and attractive to buyers. In Nairobi’s market, this often shows up as: A developer paying part of your stamp duty. A seller...

Rent vs Own in Nairobi isn’t just a financial choice — it’s a stress test on your lifestyle, resilience, and future security. With mortgage rates hovering around 15–17%, rents escalating in hotspots like Kilimani and Ruaka, and inflation pushing up everyday costs, the decision goes far beyond a monthly payment. The real question is: under stress, which option actually holds up?. 1. The Starting...

Flexible Home Ownership That Works Around Your Life, Your Budget, Your Future 💡 "Is Owning a Home Even Possible With Everything I Have Going On?" You're not alone. Every day, people are stuck between a rock and a hard place— The rising cost of rent School fees for children Daily expenses that can’t wait And the overwhelming dream of owning a home But what if we told you...

Willstone Homes Rallies Behind Harambee Stars — United by Purpose, Driven by Legacy 38 Years Ago, It Was Kenya vs Madagascar. 1987 — The Quarter Finals of the All African Games etched a memory in the hearts of Kenyans. A fierce battle, the spirit of competition, the fire of patriotism. That moment, frozen in time, returns 38 years later. Once again, Kenya faces Madagascar, but this time with...

A stand-alone construction loan Kenya is a short-term facility that funds your build in stages and does not automatically convert to a long-term mortgage. You close twice (one loan for construction, a second for the permanent mortgage), so you carry more rate-change risk and duplicated fees—but you also get flexibility to shop for the best take-out mortgage after completion. Banks in Kenya typically...

If you’re building (not buying) a home in Kenya, a construction mortgage is the tool that turns your drawings and Bill of Quantities into a livable house—without tying up all your cash up front. Kenya’s mortgage market remains small but important: by December 2024 there were 30,016 mortgage accounts nationwide with an outstanding value of KSh 279.3 billion, an average interest rate of 14.9%, and an...

In a world where real estate investment feels like walking a tightrope, one name has managed to rise above the noise and deliver time and time again — Willstone Homes. For years, we’ve been more than just another construction company. We are dream enablers, promise keepers, and partners in your journey to homeownership. Through a stormy market, fluctuating economies, and tough competition,...