KWEMA
MINI VERSION JULY-AUGUST 2013
10 MILLION & BELOW >>NAIROBI’S TOP HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS BELOW 10MILLION<<
JIMMY NG’ANG’A HIS REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT HOBBY & ADVICE FOR ASPIRING DEVELOPERS
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Interview: Jimmy Ngâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;angâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a Shares His Building Experiences
Mowlem Heights
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Sheshe Gardens
Athi View
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Lukenya Valley
Delta Plains
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Everest Park
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Sidai Village
Sunset Boulevard
Runda View
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Green Park Estate
Front page photograph and photos on page 56 courtesy of Mutua Matheka (@truthslinger // mutuamatheka.co.ke)
Kisaju View
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Lukenya Hills
Contributors:
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Editing: Corrine Kihara (@youngmisskihara) and Mwangi Kimani. Special thanks to Laka Nyaga (@laxophonist)and Prisca Ojwang (@priscaojwang) for leasing photography equipment.
Who Are We? Kwema is a Swahili word that translates to â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is well.â&#x20AC;? We act as a market place that connects developers/property owners and potential buyers. Kwema Realtors is a real estate company based in Nairobi, Kenya that markets property and also advices its clients on how to make proper purchasing decisions.
kwemarealtors@gmail.com 0727 207313 0738 976215
Note from the CEO Howdy! In this issue we will focus on low cost housing, we have profiled developments that are below KES 10million. We believe that everybody has a right to quality and affordable housing. Housing in Kenya is very expensive, mortgage rates a high and quality housing comes at a cost that is not readily met by most. We want to applaud those that are targeting low and middle income earners and offering premium products for this fast rising market. This is a brief and concise (mini) version of the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; if you would like to view the full version please visit http://issuu.com/kwemarealtors/docs/ kwema_july_-_august_2013 Please feel free to get in touch with us for any housing, property related needs or queries. And all the best in your endevours! Baraka Njagi CEO KWEMA REALTORS
SUNSET BOULEVARD
One, two, and three bedroom apartments in four, five and six storey buildings on 25 acres of land. Features:
Lush gardens, shopping mall. The middle part of Sunset Boulevard is a car free-zone where one can roam freely between home and the greens. 24hour high security.
Made in Kenya but designed internationally... Other developments by the developer include residential projects such as Kileleshwa Palm Springs, Lavington Princess Park, Karen Bel Air country homes and the Greenhouse office park.
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Location:
Off Mombasa road and adjacent to the River Athi. Easy access: 22minutes away from Nairobiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nyayo stadium, 10 minutes away from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. With the new railway line in place it takes 40minutes to reach the CBD by rail.
Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
FEATURE PROPERTY
All apartments include: Master ensuite Secured mahogany doors Utility and dobby areas Fully fitted kitchens Wardrobes in all bedrooms Guest cloakrooms cermic tiles French windows Great view of the lounge Hot water showers Good circulation
One bedroom apartments 560 sq feet
2.8M
Two bedroom apartments 760 sq feet
4.2M
Three bedroom apartments 1,000 sq feet
“Superior design adopting
4.8M
innovative working parctices to generate a sophisticated look for your home
”
Making Dreams Reality”
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FEATURE PROPERTY
Mowlem Heights Location: Komarock, off Kangundo road. Accessible through thika road or Mombasa road (eastern bypass).
Two bedroom apartments
4.7M Features: Lounge with dining room and living area. Kitchen has a spacious pantry. Laundry area and stoop.
Extras:
70 sqmeters 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.
Security: 24hour security, electric walled fence and controlled access. 500meters away from a police post. Ample Parking, 2 backup generators, club house, day care center and a shopping center.
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Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
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FEATURE PROPERTY
DELTA PLAINS Dealta Plains is easily accessible, off Mombasa road 1.5km from Mlolongo.
All houses are fitted with: - Master en-suite
â&#x20AC;&#x153;A community of 153 units on 10 acresâ&#x20AC;?
- Lounge and dining opening into the garden - Spacious kitchen with pantry - Service yard - Domestic servant quarters - Guest cloakroom
Tulip 8.2Million 3bedroom townhouse measuring 116m2 Plot size - 7.8m by 19.8m
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FEATURE PROPERTY
Lilly 8.2Million
3bed townhouse measuring125m2 Plot size - 7.7m by 18.9m
Daisy 8.6Million
Jasmine 9Million 3bedroom townhouse measuring 137m2 Plot size - 7.8m by 19.8m ) Daisy-terraced homes(7.7m by 18.9m) Jasmin-semi detached homes(7.7m by 18.9m)
Rose 11.5million*
3bedroom townhouse measuring 156m2 Plot size - 9.9m by 19.8m
Extra Features:
Water treatment plant & borehole Generator for common areas Mini shopping center Secured gated community Gym
*Not one of the properties 10million and below, but still an integral part of Delta Plains
Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
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On Real Estate Development, Honesty, a Good Name & Excellence.
Jimmy Ng’ang’a
Meet husband to one wife, father of two and part time developer. We speak to him on his part-time hobby; developing residential units.
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Making Dreams Reality”
INTERVIEW
Making Dreams Reality”
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INTERVIEW JIMMY NG’ANG’A
J
immy owes his building experience to his teenage years. His father passed on early leaving his mother to complete the couple’s dream home. Because she did not want to directly deal with the workers, she left him with the responsibility of supervising and paying them. It was this experience that begun his interest in construction.
How did you get to develop your first personal project? Decades after I helped my mum with building our family home, I established a family of my own. We started by renting a house, but soon decided to build on a plot of land I owned in Kasarani. This was going to be my first personal project; a two in one three bedroom house. I would rent the house below and live upstairs. You can imagine my excitement! Not only would I be able to live in a house I built with my own hands, but I would also get some additional income from the extra unit. However as more people moved into the area and built apartments it became very clear that I would have no privacy; the apartments towered over my three storey house. So I decided to rent out the house in Kasarani and become a tenant in Ndenderu. Building in Kasarani was a “classroom experience”. The foreman was an old man, and because he was almost my father’s age, I thought I could trust him. 12
How was this experience? Sadly I was wrong; throughout the duration of the project he stole from me. For example, he told me that the workers work half-day on Saturdays, but get paid a full day’s wage. He continued with his guise for some time, until I decided that it was better for them not to come on Saturdays at all. Sensing that he would lose some money, he changed tune and said we could work something out. It was only later that I figured out that he had been conning me! At completion of the project I found out that I had spent more time than the estimated period and double the original amount. Thankfully I was building on my savings and not a loan!
INTERVIEW JIMMY NG’ANG’A
What was your next development? After this, I bought a ¼ acre plot in Ruaraka and began work on developing 14 apartments. This time I started with KES 40,000 reason being I didn’t want to be put off by the costs. I got off to a humble start, digging the mitaros (ditches) that would be used as the foundation. I figured out that the only way to get started was to do something that would motivate me. Every time I went to the site and saw the mitaros (ditches) it encouraged me to go further! Several people start building and then stall because of a lack of funds. Because I did not want to go through such a situation, I worked on the structure and after I was finished, broke the rest of the development into phases - everything from the plastering to finishes was done apartment by apartment. Because I wanted to finish without debt, I also built on savings and cooperative loans which are much cheaper than commercial loans. Today the 14 apartments (Gilead Homes) are finished and bring me a monthly rental income. (Two units are for sale on page 31).
A visit to Gilead Homes and you notice that it is a very different set of apartments from the neighboring apartments. Clothes are not hanging at the front, cars are neatly parked in a tidy, graveled parking lot, and there is plenty of open space. A stark contrast with developments in the surrounding area where developers maximize on every inch of space, leaving very little room for children to play or cars to park. He adds: “Aesthetics are very important to me. I wanted to be different, so I made sure that there was space for the residents to utilize. I also do not like how buildings look with clothes hanging from the front. So I made sure that each of the apartments had pipes that collect the water that drips from the clothes lines. It is the very simple things that mean the difference between neighborly feuds and peace; small things like red clothes dripping colored water from the veranda above to the veranda below.”
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Take-outs from Kasarani • One should not cry over spilt milk. The lessons I learnt were school fees in the school of life. You pay for experience and it is expensive.
• You could have a general idea of what building is like, or have probably talked to your friends and have read stories, but until you have begun and finished building something you realize that you “knew nothing.”
Take-outs from Ruaka • You don’t have to be a big time developer. I had a job but I still found time to construct.
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• Hustle of building: “high” costs, ease which you can be taken advantage of, working with fundis (construction workers) can be a nightmare. Building is not for everybody, you need to have the patience (buying what’s already been built is hustle free). Building is a risk that one has to be willing to make, however in the end it is a Making Dreams Reality” risk with a high pay off.
INTERVIEW JIMMY NG’ANG’A
Do you have any Advice for aspiring developers?
1.
Start by building something that is not too involving. For example, if you have a plot that you want to develop a house on; start with the servant’s quarter or guard house. Remember that the principles are the same for any structure that you would want to develop. In addition to this, every time you see the structure it tells you that you have begun!
4.
Live or work next to where you are constructing as it helps when supervising the workers. The workmen will act and work differently depending on how close you are.
5.
Take a drive and see what other people are doing. For example you may see a pattern or design of a window grill, window, door that you like. Every time you go and take a drive it should inspire you to create something greater and better.
2.
Start with what you can afford. Finances always come once you have begun with your idea. Get started and start small. Money follows motivation and innovation. Start with the fence, gate or even gardening.
3.
Plant trees or flowers.
Have a plan and idea of where the driveway or garden will be and begin working on that. Apart from being much simpler than the construction, it also helps with your motivation and when the project is finished it will look like you have stayed there forever.
6.
Develop a mental picture of what you want your development to look like. Development requires that you develop the idea in your mind not just physically; as a man thinks so is he.
Making Dreams Reality”
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FEATURE PROPERTY
7.95M 2 bedroom 6.8M 3 bedroom
Runda View Location: Ruaka, a few minutes away from the Village Market
2 bedroom with master en-suite 3 bedroom with master en-suite Each apartment has a Wash/splash area, Spacious living room and bedrooms, Balcony, Two underground parkings per Apartments
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Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
SHESHE GARDENS
2 Bedroom Apartment
6.5 Million
Location:
1km from Mlolongo. Easily accessible from Nairobi’s CBD either by public transport (including train) or private means.
Features
Spacious lounge and Balcony Fitted Kitchen with yard and pantry
“Luxurious stylishly designed apartments.” 18
Making Dreams Reality”
FEATURE PROPERTY
3 Bedroom Apartment
8.5 Million Features
Master ensuite Spacious lounge and Balcony Dinning room Fitted Kitchen with yard and pantry
Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
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LUKENYA
VALLEY
1.3M
1/6 ACRE
“Enjoy the Kenyan countryside & amazing views of the Lukenya Hills.” Location
35km from Nairobi and 11km from Mombasa road. Just off Kinanie road and 1km from the Greater Eastern bypass that is under construction. A few hundred meters from iluluwe golf resort
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Making Dreams Reality”
A fish farm, a few kilometers from Lukenya Valley. The developer Mr. Timothy Mahinda has been able to turn the dry area into a green inviting paradise.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new road network and improved urban rail systems have opened up the
possibilities of commuting further distances to work, without extending the time taken. Lukenya Valley is designed to take advantage of these new opportunities by offering a home
in the country that is close enough for you to work in Nairobi.â&#x20AC;?
Features Perimeter Fence 8feet up surrounding the estate. Murram roads, Water and Electricity, Storm water drainage, Sewer line will be developed. If you would want to view Lukenya Valley, please communicate with Baraka Njagi on: 0727207313 kwemarealtors@gmail.com
Range of designs available for selection. Common theme of
brown decra type roofs and natural stone and rendered walls
Management company where every plot owner has a share
Each house will have its own sub-lease. Coming with that sub-lease is a share in the Management Company. The residents will manage the estate and provide improved services for the benefit of all.
Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
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FEATURE PROPERTY
Location:
45 minutes from the city centre, along the newly redeveloped Mombasa road. Touches Mombasa road a few
meters from the Kitengela/Namanga road Intersection.
EVEREST PARK Main Features:
Ample Parking Modern Fitted Kitchen Spacious Bedroom and Lounge area Laundry/Drying area with facilities for washing machine A commercial centre with a supermarket, restaurants, shop, clinics, offices. Kindergarten at a more private area within the development.
One Bedroom Apartments
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Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
2.4Million
Two Bedroom Apartments
FEATURE PROPERTY
4Million
Three Bedroom Apartments Both 2 and 3 Bedroom Apartments are fitted with: Large Living Room opening to Balcony Modern High Class Finishes and Fittings Large Bedrooms enough to take two 4ft beds Large Master
Ensuite Bedroom opening to Balcony Separate dining area Modern Fitted Kitchen
Laundry/Drying area with washing
machine facilities Spacious Study Area
5.5Million “Spacious, stylish and built to the highest standards. The units are especially built with the investor in mind as well as young executives.”
Making Dreams Reality”
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FEATURE PROPERTY
Location:
20km from Nairobi 1.5 km from the Nairobi - Mombasa Highway, and 12km from the new Syokimau Railway Station
Lukenya Hills
80% already sold
Lukenya Hills Phase 1 Plinth area of 96m2/1033sq feet Master bedroom ensuite
6Million
Two bedrooms Lounge and dinning room
FItted kitchen Built-in wardrobes Walk around garden
Connected to sewer line Boreholed water Overhead steel
tank Cabro paved internal roads Onsite convinience store Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playground Razor fence on perimeter wall KPLC power 24
FEATURE PROPERTY
Lukenya Hills Phase 2 plinth area of 96m2/ 1033sq feet plot size 12 x 20 meters
6.5Million All the features in phase 1 and added:
Solar panels
Shower cubical in master
bedroom car pack shade
“A high class home at a reasonable price with quality finishes”
Making Dreams Reality”
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FEATURE PROPERTY
ATHi ViEW Located in Syokimau. 7km from industrial area and 14.7km
from the CBD.
Shops, communal garden area with a basketball court, extra parking slots for guests, borehole, 630KVA transformer, waste water management and sewage treatment plant. 4 bedroom semi detached
maisonettes each 1700 square feet. 2 cabro
parking slots plus a self contained DSQ and spacious backyard space Each plot is individually gated with a solid 1.8meter stone wall to divide each plot. DSQ placed at the front of each house, leaving a
large landscaped garden at the back 26
FEATURE PROPERTY
Four bedroom Maisonettes (90 units available)
9.95Million Ensuite master bedroom, Ensuite guestroom, 2bedrooms, Cloakroom, Fitted wardrobes, Pantry, Spacious living room, Comfortable dining room, Self contained DSQ, Allocated washing area, Landscaped back garden, 2 cabro parking slots, 1.8meter wall diving each plot, Borehole water, KPLC power, Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play ground, Electric fence on perimeter walll, 2.5km
Syokimau Railyway Stattion
from 9 units of: 2 bedroom apartments 904 - 1100 square feet
5.8Million 6 units of: 3 bedroom apartments 1215square feet
7Million
>>
Each apartment has a:
Phase 2
Comfortable dining/lounge
3 & 4 bedroom maisonettes with balconyand 2 & 3 bedroom apartments.
<<
area, Fitted kitchen and wardrobes, Adequate
bathroom facilities, Allocated washing and drying area, & 1 cabro parking slot
Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
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SiDAI ViLLAGE
7 Milion Three Bedtoom townhouses
Location:
100 acres of land in Athi River on the main Nairobi Mombasa Highway. 45Minutes from the city center, after the Kenya Meat Commission.
Features:
Master Bedroom Ensuite Solar water heating Private parking and Gardens Borehole and Main water supply Semi-open Kitchen with pantry DSQ is to the front of the property
Laundry yard Separate Guest cloak rooms 28
Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
FEATURE PROPERTY
Extra Features:
Perimeter wall with electric Fence Individual title
Deeds, Planned schools, swimming pool, shopping complex, Multipurpose Hall, Football pitch and Basketball court, Petrol station and Matatu park
“High-quality finishes and a design geared towards a more engaging and fulfilling lifestyle”
“Designer
houses for lower income groups that offer an international flavor of design”
Making Dreams Reality”
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FEATURE PROPERTY
Zahara Gardens
7.5M
Features: 2 bedroom (All bedrooms have in-built wardrobes) Modern finishes for kitchen, bathroom & bedrooms Kitchen/laundry yard Perimeter wall with electric fence Ample parking Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play area Great Location: across the road from Ngong race course
Fortcom
3 bedroom
9M
3 bedroom + DSQ
12M
PHASE THREE 3 Bedroom, Master with Ensuite And Guesthouse. Kitchen pantry, Laundry Area, Balcony Play Ground for the Children DSTV and Internet connections
Gilead Homes Location: Ruaka, next to the main road, and Ruaka Shopping Center. 10mins from Village Market Features: 2 bedroom Appartment with pantry, splash area and built in cabinets in every bedroom. Manicured Gardens. Ample parking and open space within the compund
Two bedroom apartments
5.5M
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GreenPark Estate
FEATURE PROPERTY
Location
Off Mombasa road by Athi River, with panaromic views of the Lukenya Hills.
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“Peaceful environment in a secure and scenic setting with a suberb lifestyle.”
Making Dreams Reality”
FEATURE PROPERTY The reason that Greenpark is an award winning development is because of their attention to detail. All the units have:
Beautifuly crafted ceilings &
cornices. High quality tile or parquet flooring Choice of open plan or closed kitchens Spacious living room and dining areas
Hgh quality kitchen cabinets and wardrobes in all bedrooms
Hand crafted curtain and shears rods Bathroom vanity cabinets and fittings
imported sanitary-ware
Solar heating system Reverse osmosis water filter system Double piped water supply Rain water harvesting system Dhobi area
Choice of aluminium framed
windows or steel with burglar bars Spacious kitchens
Large gardens Patio doors
Five clusters of houses with a grand total of more than
224
600 units. completed
A total of units have been , with the other 376 units being planned to be developed. Each of the five
nursery school, shopping center, maintained recreational areas, paved roads and sidewalks, storm drainage, street lighting and a dedicated security staff and guardhouse.
clusters has a
Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
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FEATURE PROPERTY
Super Bungalow
GreenPark Estate
Each unit is situated on approximately 1/4 acre of land with the plinth area of the bungalow being 180m2 Two ensuite bedrooms with increased wardrobe space Master bedroom with his and hers w.b.h., bathtub, shower and vanity units Large sitting and dining area Two cabro parking places to each house Two bedrooms with shared and enclosed bathroom with vanity units Larger windows in living areas Dishwasher, washing machine provision Water filtering system Solar water heating
15.99 Million Quarter Villa
19.63 Million Bungalow
Each unit is on approximately, 1/4 acre of land with a build up area of 146 square meters Two bedrooms ensuite Master bedroom with bathtub and vanity units Generous living and dining area Two cabro parking places to each house Optional open plan kitchen Solar water heating Water filter system
Four houses of 110 square meters on 1/4 acre plot master bedroom ensuite with large wardrobes Solar heating water Two cabro parking places to each house Spacious open plan kitchen Large sitting room and dining area Water filter system
8.5 Million
Semi - Detached House
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12.45 Million
Generous master bedroom with large wardrobes Large ensuite bathroom with vanity unit Room for a breakfast table Entry hallway with a visitors toilet Solar heating Ensuite DSQ adjacent to the kitchen Spacious kitchen with separate pantry Large sitting room and dining area Water filter system Two cabro parking places to each house
FEATURE PROPERTY
Kisaju View Park Estate 4 bedroom deluxe mainsionette with staff quarters 5.6millon 3 bedroom en-suite bungalow with staff quarters 3.2million 3 bedroom with staff quarters
3million Features
Location
infrastructure, excellent security, social amenities, schools, commercial and medical centers, electricity connections and piped water. Sewage plant.
60kilometers from Nairobi on the Nairobi-Namanga Road Take a Right Turn, drive for 500meters, then make another right turn and drive for 5kilometers (Follow The Signs). Location: In close proximity of Konza technology city, International Universities and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Each unit is enjoined in a small community of not more than 20 other units which are built around a sizeable mixed use courtyard that allows for children to play. Each community has its own visitors parking, park benches, greenery and so on.
Making Dreams Realityâ&#x20AC;?
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