Tag Archives: Real Estate

REAL ESTATE KENYA, WOMEN

TOP 10 WOMEN REAL ESTATE CEOs THAT SHAPED 2023

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As 2023 comes to an end, Valuable Brands Kenya takes stock of the last 365 days reviewing some of the trailblazing milestones and achievements by the various women real estate stakeholders and founders leading some of Kenya’s most successful and upcoming firms. Here is our inaugural list of the Top 10 Women Real Estate CEOs that shaped 2023 in Kenya:

1. Nancy Muthoni – CEO, Property Show With Nancy / First Avenue Properties

Nancy Muthoni is the Founder and CEO of Property Show With Nancy that airs on KTN Home every sunday. The show highlights the various new real estate trends, available property investment opportunities and other real estate solutions. Furthermore, Nancy runs First Avenue Properties and Upscale Homes which deal in real estate agency and home construction services respectively. She tops this inaugural list for being a trailblazer in promoting home ownership amongst Kenyans.

2. Leah Wambui – CEO, Cheriez Properties

Leah is the founder and CEO of Cheriez Properties. A property development company focused on high end homes projects with Projects in Kitengela. From humble beginnings of hope and resilience, she’s been able to build a strong company that now not only provides bespoke real estate solutions but also offers interior design and home construction services for clients.

3. Anne Mwai – CEO, Bama Diaspora

Anne is definitely among the key women real estate CEOs in Kenya revolutionizing the industry. Through her diaspora focused company, Bama Diaspora, she provides investment alternatives to investors mostly based in the USA hence contributing to the building of trust in the highly volatile sector. She has been a mentor to several upcoming realtors and a host of women venturing into the business world.

4. Lizzie Costabir – CEO, BuyRent Kenya

BuyRent Kenya is undoubtedly an essential part of the real estate agency ecosystem in Kenya. And sitting at the helm is Lizzie Costabir, a phenomenal woman who’s working round the clock to create a more responsive content management system that creates more value for buyers, sellers and agents who leverage on the platform to transact safely. As the real estate market bounced back amid an ever rising need for real estate properties, BuyRent Kenya rose up to the occassion to facilitate the engagements thus earning Lizzie a spot on this list.

5. Sarah Wahogo – CEO, Safaricom Investment Cooperative

Sarah Wahogo has been at the helm of Safaricom Investment Cooperative for slightly over a year and her contributions to one of Kenya’s leading members’ investment co-operative are clear. Coming in at a time when the firm had no organizational challenges to steering it into a reputable company worth emulating is no mean feat. The cooperative has now create real estate agency platform called SIC PRIME connecting buyers, renters, developers and sellers.

6. Mary Diana – MD, Modern Homes

Mary Diana is the face of the young women real estate CEOs in Kenya taking content creation by storm! Through her Youtube Channel and other social media platforms, she has been able to cut herself a niche in showcasing various real estate projects and properties available for sale and rent across the country. And as they say, consistency is King and she’s definitely the queen at not just Modern Homes but also redefining how real estate marketing is done in Kenya.

7. Jane Baiyu – CEO, Amara Realty

Jane Baiyu makes to this inaugural list being the founder and CEO of Amara Realty Limited – a company offering property investment opportunities to Kenyans both within and in diaspora. Through her efforts and wide experience in the sector, Amara Realty has undergone steady growth and become a company of great repute for modeling by new entrants in the market.

8. Princess Caroline Mutisya – CEO, Legacy Estates

Princess Caroline Mutisya is the CEO of Legacy Estates and also doubles as the Managing Partner of CR Advocates, a legal firm based in Nairobi Kenya. Legacy Estates offers real estate investment solutions in various locations in Kenya and has embarked on contributing towards rebuilding trust in the general real estate conveyance services and hence encouraging investors to consider the highly lucrative property business in Kenya.

9. Charity Nyoike-Baur – CEO, Nisiri Ventures

Being the only CEO making the list from outside Nairobi, Charity is the founder of Nisiri Ventures Limited – a real estate company based in Nanyuki providing investment projects in the vast Laikipia County. She has been a leading business leader, mentor and investor in the vibrant Nanyuki region and continues to inspire a new generation of women realtors not only in the area but in Kenya at large.

10. Ruth Mbula – CEO, Rubrina Properties

Finally on our list of Women Real Estate CEOs in Kenya that shaped 2023 is another youthful founder of Rubrina Properties who is also revolutionizing the way Youtube is used in marketing real estate properties in Kenya. She is a testament that with determination and objectivity, you can build a brand from nothing, literally!

In conclusion, Valuable Brands Kenya celebrates these phenomenal women and the brands they have built over time. We will hold the Valuable Brands Awards to acknowledge, recognize and celebrate the various brands impacting lives in Kenya in the real estate sector across all value chains. For more details, please email us on award@valuablebrands.co.ke.

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REAL ESTATE KENYA

The Impressive Story of Certified Homes Ltd in Under 5 Years.

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Certified Homes Ltd started its journey in 2020 and in less than a decade has achieved milestones that many peers can only envy. Armed with over ten years experience in the vast real estate sector, the founder, Mr. Peter Nyaga set on a course to build Kenya’s top real estate development company thus the birth of Certified Homes Ltd.

The company is a property developer based at Westcom Point in Westlands Nairobi and caters to a wide range of clients spanning from the locals, diaspora community, institutional investors among many others interested in the Kenyan Real Estate market. Since its inception, they have successfully delivered several property projects across the country. Some of their key projects include; Sukari Heights in Kahawa Sukari Nairobi which is a mixed use development offering commercial spaces such as a salon and spa, shopping outlets and residential units ranging from studio apartments, one bedroom, two bedroom etc.

Another innovative investment project by the company include Naserian Holiday Homes in Nanyuki, KWITU Gardens for the members of the Kenya Women in United States Association and the Diani Holiday Homes at the Coast. For those seeking value added plots in either Nanyuki, Rumuruti, Juja, Joska, Malindi, Diani, Syokimau, Certified Homes has several options for you to choose from.

And this begs the question. How did the company achieve this level of success in such a short time and serving such a diverse clientele! This is how it all started.

The Birth of Certified Homes

The story begins when the young Peter Nyaga volunteered at his brother’s real estate firm to gain experience in the sector – a move that would see him make his first million at 21 years of age! “I wanted to get experience in Real Estate. I knew as an errands boy my brother could give me fare, and also, I had relatives in Nairobi so somewhere to sleep was not a problem. If I had fare and somewhere to sleep, the rest would sort itself,” he remarked.

Over time and with resilience, he was able to build his own network of potential clients and with it, his own reputation. Besides this, the opportunity gave Peter the much needed exposure on the best practices, pitfalls to avoid as well as learning on how to structure deals. Skills that would prove to be priceless later on when establishing Certified Homes Ltd. But before its birth, yet another partnership spinned off from this personal growth. One that would see them deliver a record 400 units from concept to handover in less than 3 years.

Consequently in November 2020, the founder finally setup the company as we know it today. Interestingly, unlike most firms that pick any kind of name, they settled on Certified Homes as a constant reminder that every property they would conduct exhaustive due diligence and only bring in the potential buyers once they were satisfactory on the documentations of the plots. Hence the “Certified”concept.

With this meteoric rise in the real estate market in Kenya came with hundreds of jobs with the organization creating opportunities globally.

Company Expansion Strategy

As Certified majorly targets the Kenyans in diaspora drawn from across the world, it works closely with the associations that connects them with the larger diaspora community. Examples of the associations includes the Kenya Women In The United States (KWITU), Kenya Women In Germany (KWIG), Kenya Diaspora Alliance and Sacco among many others. Leveraging on brand ambassadors based in the various states such as Canada, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Dubai, Sweden and many others.

Certified Homes Ltd Titles handover to clients at their offices in Nairobi.

The company is also now venturing into the African continent to reach an expanded diaspora team with previous meetings in Burundi, Ghana and other countries. This will definitely unlock more investment demand and hence more business as they seek to expand beyond their current service offerings. The company’s brand ambassador list is excitingly star studded thus giving a chance for them to also understand the market and in turn be able to invest as well. Isn’t this the idea behind being your “brother’s/sister’s keeper?!

Certified Homes Awards & Reviews

They say excellence never goes unrewarded. The company is not an exception as it bags various recognition awards not only in Kenya but also globally. Here are some of the key awards earned by the company so far:

For more details on any of these projects, feel free to reach out to the company on 0711 128 128

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REAL ESTATE KENYA

Britam Bets Big on Real Estate with Britam Properties

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Britam Properties: Britam Holdings has initiated a diversification initiative aimed at reducing its investment in the money markets and increasing its focus on real estate, targeting a range of 20 to 30 percent of its asset mix, up from the current 16 percent.

The company’s strategic investments are anticipated to elevate its real estate portfolio to a value between Sh25-35 billion over the next decade. Notable projects include the construction of a Sh12 billion mall in Kileleshwa, the development of a 50,000 square-meter logistic park near Mlolongo, and the ongoing construction of serviced apartments in Kilimani, Nairobi.

Benson Wairegi, Britam’s Group Managing Director, revealed in an interview with journalists conducted two weeks after the firm’s AGM that the company intends to make property development and management its core business. This shift is underscored by the creation of a distinct business unit named Britam Properties (Kenya) Limited.

Britam Properties Projects

“Real estate consistently proves to be a lucrative investment, especially in prime areas where our focus lies in establishing these structures. The value of properties, particularly in sought-after locations, tends to appreciate over time. We are pursuing the development of a mall in response to the evident demand in Kileleshwa, where a notable absence of malls exists in close proximity,” stated Mr. Wairegi.

“The envisioned mall will be a mixed-use development, incorporating offices, serviced apartments, and a hotel. The overall project is valued at approximately Sh12 billion, inclusive of the land acquisition cost.”

Britam, a multifaceted company with interests in insurance, asset management, and property development, has invested in land totaling Sh10 billion. The company stands among prominent corporate investors seeking alternative avenues beyond the stock market for their investments.

Mr. Wairegi announced that the leasing process has commenced for spaces within the 32-storey Britam Towers, poised to become the third-tallest building in Africa, soaring to a height of 195 meters above ground level.

In addition to the ongoing leasing activities, the company is actively engaged in the development of serviced apartments in Kilimani and Hurlingham, residential projects in Mlolongo, and mixed-use developments in Ngong Township. Notably, Britam secured a financial injection of Sh3.5 billion from the International Finance Corporation, acquiring a 10.3 percent stake in the company.

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Britam is strategically aligning itself to capitalize on a growing trend wherein investors are shifting away from Treasury bonds towards the fixed asset class. This asset class has demonstrated an average capital appreciation of 24.3 percent over the last five years, particularly in areas designated for commercial use, including Kilimani, Upper Hill, and Westlands.

Serviced apartments, in general, are increasingly gaining prominence as a lucrative avenue in the real estate sector, offering enhanced annual yields on investments.

In the realm of serviced apartments, industry specialists note that developers, mainly hailing from the hospitality sector, are directing their focus toward non-resident Kenyans, expatriates, and even local investors. This segment proves attractive to investors due to its potential for both capital value appreciation and rental returns.

Over the past decade, real estate has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors, driven by the expanding middle class. Returns on investment in this sector have surpassed those of equities and government securities. The proliferation of shopping malls in Nairobi reflects a concerted effort by retailers to tap into a growing middle class characterized by disposable incomes and a limited range of leisure activities.

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REAL ESTATE KENYA

The Story of AMG Realtors In Kenya 12 Years Later

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AMG Realtors limited has reshaped the land selling business in Kenya since 2012. The company was established by Andrew Gitau, a Kenyan who at the time had just returned home to begin life afresh. while living abroad Andrew had been conned in a fake land deal where he lost money to people he had entrusted to help him acquire Parcels of land back in Kenya.

“When we were living with my wife we had a little bit of savings that we decided to buy a plot with. We actually gave the money to one of our friends in 2006 who was in the land business and he sold us this plot. And up to today, we have never seen the title for that plot and we have never seen the land itself I can’t tell you this is the particular plot,” Andrew quips. He says he had to find a solution to a problem that was becoming common affecting many clients in the diaspora.

“When we were in New York and the little savings that we could make because of the allowances that I used to get, my biggest dilemma was how do I who can I trust this money with to invest back home who will I give this money and can give me a genuine land with a title deed. I used to think that one day I will start a company that will actually be able to deliver titles to people and will sell genuine land. That is actually the Genesis of AMG realtors“.

Birth of AMG Realtors

In an effort to actualize his dream, he began buying parcels of land in bulk in Prime locations. A decision that eventually birthed AMG realtors limited. “A friend of mine called me to Nanyuki and told me there were parcels of land on sale that I should check them out. Once there, I fell in love with the beautiful place because of the Mount Kenya on one side and the Lol Daiga Hills on the other side. Besides, the Aberdares also overlooking as well. So I went sent a write up to everybody I knew including people had worked with in New York I was able to sell 25 acres which was just shocking.

Lily Richards is one of the diaspora clients of AMG Realtors. She is the chairperson of a diaspora community of about 14,000 Kenyan women living and working in the United States. Through AMG Realtors, they have been able to invest back home. Reverend Dr Kennedy Njenga is another diaspora client of AMG Realtors. The 60-year-old man preacher who had lived in the United Kingdom for 30 years was planning to return home in 2021 when he reached out to AMG Realtors.

Currently, AMG Realtors sells land in different parts of Kenya such as Nanyuki, Nakuru, Naivasha, Malindi, Kangundo Road among others. Furthermore, AMG Realtors is transforming the land selling business in the country giving more confidence to potential buyers that it is not all doom and gloom. For instance, 70% of our customers are repeat and referrals so they have been able to spread the word for us therefore we don’t have competition. Our only competition is to make our service better every time to the next customer.

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