Topical Feature: A Guide to real estate finance loan structuring in Kenya, and risk management measures for debt finance, and Weekly Report #12/2021

A Guide to real estate finance loan structuring in Kenya, and risk management measures for debt finance for Investors in Kenya Real Estate Market.

When investors source Real Estate capital funding in Kenya for their projects, the best loan structure that suits their situation and the market situation comes to mind. Most investors find a real estate lending or financing solution with the lowest interest rates, the best features, and the right repayment plan to suit their cash flow needs, all of which are fundamental elements that come into play when organizing property finance. Therefore, real estate loan structuring is how the loan product is set up to accommodate the investors’ best interest, either in short, medium, or longer term depending on their end goal.

The right loan structure enables an investor to maximize their interest savings and pay down their debt more effectively as well as build and expand their property portfolio. Furthermore, the correct loan structuring strategy could increase an investor’s loans’ tax effectiveness, help protect their assets, and make restructuring easier. Nevertheless, getting it wrong can have several negative implications for investors, such as reduced borrowing flexibility and putting an investor at far more significant financial risk, in case of default.

Real Estate Finance in KenyaThere are three areas in which a loan and its underlying asset can be structured after establishing the viability of the project through a feasibility study. The actual loan type chosen, the asset ownership structure and borrowing entity, and how equity in existing properties is utilized. The following guide will help an investor to structure their real estate loan for sustainable project funding.

 

 

 

Loan structuring encompasses two main areas.

 

1. Product Selection: Here an Investor chooses a lender and the loan type that suits his/her needs, depending on the loan product’s true potential features. The following are different loan products types offered in the Kenyan market:

a.) Bank debt – This is where an investor obtains development capital from a bank or an institution lender. The interest rates are usually determined by market forces or controlled by regulatory authorities. Examples of bank debts include: Owner-occupied residential mortgage, Investment residential mortgage, Construction loan, and Top up loans also called Equity loan.

b.) Private Lenders – Such capital is advanced by anyone with access to capital and a willingness to invest it.

2. The Loan Structure: An investor determines how the loan is going to be structured, the loan’s collateral requirements, offset account, redraw facilities, and the Principal and Interest repayments requirements 

As such, an investor should:

i.) Choose the right loan type and features

An investor should go for a credit line that suits their financial needs under the prevailing market conditions. The credit line could be an interest-only loan, a loan with a 100% offset account, a plain old principle, or an interest loan.

ii.) Interest-only loan

An investor could structure their loan repayments as interest only – and not principal and interest. This allows a real estate investor to accumulate all surplus cash in an offset instead of reducing the loan principal, which preserves the loan principal at its original value that might be important for future tax benefits. The strategy also reduces an investor’s financial commitment to repay the loan to the lowest level.

iii.) Choose between Cross-securitization or stand-alone carefully 

Cross-securitization is where the lender uses more than one property as security for a loan. Cross securitization could also mean an investor loses control of their properties, and therefore they cannot maximize borrowable equity. An investor could avoid this strategy to be able to determine which properties to revalue and when, otherwise the lender would want to revalue all of them because they are financially linked to each other, which, depending on the valuations, could negatively impact an investor’s borrowable equity. Furthermore, Cross-securitization to a particular lender reduces an investor’s borrowing flexibility.

On the other hand, having a stand-alone security means a loan or loans are secured solely by one property. Having properties separately secured gives an investor more flexibility as they can be able to refinance one property to a new lender, which could probably help them maximize their borrowing capacity.

iv.) Diversify Lenders

Diversification of lenders is a risk management technique in which an investor uses more than one lender for their real estate funding to better maximize their borrowing capacity. Furthermore, having more than one lender allow an investor to maximize their borrowable equity, as lenders’ property valuations commonly vary significantly from one lender to another.

v.) Use an offset and borrow the maximum

For a property purchase, an Investor could maximize tax-deductible property loan by contributing more equity, borrowing a lower amount, and subsequently increasing the loan later. This allows an investor to structure their finances to give them as much flexibility as possible.

Conclusion

Getting the right loan structure in place when you start to build and expand your portfolio can be fundamental to your long-term success and financial protection. In order to meet your financial needs, it’s vitally important that you find a professional who understands how to serve and support your investment goals through a good project finance strategy. Buildafrique Consulting Group is a specialist and a consultant in Real Estate Project Finance in Kenya, Capital Raising, and Joint Venture Structuring in Kenya.

 

B.) WEEKLY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 

          MAJOR ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 

 i.) Kenyan Mps approve diesel subsidy amid public outcry

On 17th March 2021, the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation approved the Petroleum Development Levy Order, 2020 (Legal Notice No. 124 of 2020). That paves the way for Parliament to pass the bill into law and allow motorists to get cuts on diesel prices. The regulations are expected to give the Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Powers to cut diesel prices and cushion motorists from sharp spikes in the product’s cost when crude oil crosses $50 per barrel.

 

 

 

ii.) Power bills rise Sh1bn in March 2021 on fuel levy hike

The Kenya Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority have raised foreign exchange and fuel adjustment surcharges it levies on March 2021 electricity bills, hitting household budgets at a time when petrol prices have hit a nine-year high. The fuel surcharge was increased to Sh3.54 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from Sh2.61 in February 2021, rising to the highest levels in 19 months. Consequently, the electricity costs will increase by Sh1.20 per unit, inclusive of taxes, pushing the total bills to above Sh1 billion, given the monthly consumption of over 800 million kWh.

 

 

 

iii.) Kenya’s forex reserves plunge by sh27.8 billion on public debt repayment

Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves have declined by Sh27.8 billion (about $254 million) since the start of March 2021, attributed to external public debt repayments. According to the latest Central Bank weekly update on financial markets, the forex reserves fell from $7.605 billion at the end of February 2021 to $7.351 billion on 11th March 2021. Nevertheless, the apex bank noted that the reserves were adequate to meet the country’s import bill and support the shilling if the need arose despite the decline.

 

 

 

 

iv.) KRA February 2021 tax receipts grow by 24.2 percent

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) tax receipts booked by the National Treasury grew for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2021. According to the new exchequer data covering the month of February 2021 and published on 12th March 2021, tax revenues grew by 24.2 percent to Ksh.121.3 billion. The rise in revenue collection was widely attributable to the continued resumption of economic activity following the initial shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

 

 

         

          CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

 

i.) Architects root for green buildings as need for public awareness on designs and available financing increases

During a media breakfast on 18th March 2021, the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) noted that there was a need for public education to accelerate the construction of green buildings to reduce carbon emissions. The call comes as the latest released Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction indicated that the industry consumes 36 percent of global energy and contributes 39 percent of carbon emissions. According to the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) President Mugure Njendu, architects have a big role to play in ensuring that carbon emissions are reduced through green building designs.

 

ii.) KENHA Demolishes property in Ruaka to pave the way for the expansion of the Western Bypass

On 20th March 2021, properties that had earlier been marked for demolition by the Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) to pave the way for the expansion of the Ksh17 billion western bypass were demolished. The construction of the Western Bypass began in 2019 under the China Road and Bridge Corporation contractors and is currently 46.9 percent complete. It includes the construction of seven grade interchanges at Gitaru, Lower Kabete, Wangige, Kihara, Ndenderu, Rumenye, and Ruaka, as well as the construction of ten overpasses and five underpasses.

 

 

iii.) Education cabinet secretary launches construction of the Ksh1.2 billion Maritime institute

On Wednesday, 17th March 2021, the Education CS George Magoha launched the construction of Sh1.2 billion East African Maritime Institute at Chitsakamatsa in Kwale.  The institute, which is being constructed on a 40-acre parcel of land, will be used to train students on the blue economy serving Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. According to Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, the institute, which is being constructed in partnership with the European Union, is expected to spur economic activities in Kwale. The governor further noted that the hotel and student accommodation sectors are expected to boom as more rental houses to accommodate students would be required.

 

 

iv.) Student Factory to build student houses worth USD 50 Million

Student Factory Africa, a consortium of architects, has teamed up with a Netherlands-based private equity firm to launch a mega hostel project in Nairobi. Speaking during the partnership agreement signing, Student Factory Chief Executive Chris Osore noted that the project would address the Kenyan market’s student housing problem. Also, Student Factory Africa Limited partnered with the Catholic Church and the catholic university to develop 4500-bed capacity student hostels in Karen, whose construction commencement is scheduled for April 2021. The development will include: communal lounges, communal kitchen, and dining area; each room includes a kitchenette with a microwave, laundry facilities, and drying area per block, sports/recreation area per courtyard, additional sports field, central communal block (chapel, central reception area, management office, student meeting rooms, central kitchen, main dining room/multi-purpose hall, convenience store, gym, and Sanatorium).

 

          COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HIGHLIGHTS

 

i.) KRA starts property seizures in Nairobi over land rate defaults

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and City Hall, on 16th March 2021, began a crackdown on property owners who have defaulted on land rate payments. The owners of some of the affected properties in the city have already been served with warnings of takeover should they fail to clear their dues. According to the KRA notice, property owners are supposed to have paid up all the property rate fees, including any arrears owed to the Nairobi County Government. The notice further indicated that the County Government Finance Act of 2015 mandates the authority [KRA] to repossess any land property the owner defaults rate payment and reallocate it to the deserving.

 

 

 

 

 

ii.) Apartment sales boost housing sector recovery

According to the latest report by the Kenya Banker Association (KBA), the Kenyan housing sector recorded a sharp rise in house prices in the fourth quarter of 2020, attributed to the surge in apartments’ sales. The report indicated that housing prices rose by 0.22 per cent in quarter four of 2020, from a 0.08 per cent contraction in the previous quarter. That was attributed to the increase in the number of sale transactions on apartments which increased five-fold between October 2020 and December 2020 from 57 in the third quarter to 314 units, and two-fold compared to a similar period in 2019, accounting for 71 percent of the housing transactions.

 

 

 

iii.) KCB extends real estate loan restructures for one year

KCB Bank extended loan restructures to sectors experiencing delayed recovery, including real estate, manufacturing, tourism, and aviation. The move sits outside the prescribed Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) window on loan moratoriums which closed on 2rd March 2021. According to the Banks Chief Executive Officer Joshua Oigara, the move is geared at covering customers against a weakened macro-economic environment occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

 

iv.) Centum Real Estate closes sh3.5 Billion house pre-sales during Covid-19

 

Centum real estate collected Sh300million more in pre-sale collections between April 2020 and February 2021, collecting Sh1.6 billion and booked house pre-sales worth Sh3.5 billion, surpassing the corresponding ten-month period before Covid-19 was first reported in Kenya on 13th March 2020. The pre-sale collections are Sh300 million more than the Sh1.3 billion collected between April 2019 and February 2020. According to Centum Real Estate Managing Director Samwel Kariuki, the larger proportion of their portfolio addresses the affordable and mid-market segments where the demand is high.

 

 

 

C.) KENYA REAL ESTATE TRENDS

 

i.) House prices pickup after depressed growth

According to a new survey by the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), house prices are on the rise after a long period of subdued prices in 2020. The latest KBA – House Price Index indicated that prices rose by 0.22 per cent in quarter four of 2020, from a 0.08 percent contraction in quarter 3 of 2020. Further, the index indicated that the uptick in the House Price Index signals stabilizing market prices, which largely reflects an outcome of the demand and supply dynamics in the market.

According to the KBA Chief Executive Officer Habil Olaka, prices in the 4th quarter of 2020 were largely driven by regional differences other than the structural factors, particularly the plinth area, indicating that location is now playing a pivotal role in house purchases. Also, an under-supply of new units triggered the rise in prices, with most sales in the period being on the already completed units from the previous periods. Homeowners’ preferences compounded the rise in prices for newer buildings.

By house type, apartments’ prices rose faster than those of bungalows and townhouses but were slower than those of maisonettes, reflecting emerging preferences for apartments over other house types due to their relatively lower cost of development per unit.

 

ii.) Holiday homes gains traction among the wealthy amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

A significant number of ultra-high net worth Kenyans are mulling over purchasing homes in local holiday destinations to escape the unremarkable city life amid the Covid-19. Kenyans, who previously budgeted for holidays abroad, have found it cumbersome to travel, hence buying homes in tranquil places away from the congested capital.

According to the latest Buyer’s Survey by Knight Frank Kenya, the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a high demand for locations that offer green spaces as more people are increasingly focused on wellness as they spent a great deal of 2020 at home. The report further indicated that Kenyans had shown a strong appetite for rural and coastal properties that have open spaces to allow them an opportunity to spend quality time in places like Kilifi and Mombasa. The recently released Wealth Report 2021 by Knight Frank further projects that about 20 percent of ultra-high net worth persons are planning to buy a new home in 2021.

 

D.) GLOBAL REAL ESTATE TRENDS

 

i.) US Real estate Market rebound attributed to an increase in REIT earnings

The U.S. listed REIT sector earnings continue to recover from the decline in 2020 as shutdowns spread across the country. The pickup is gradual in the retail and lodging/resort area, where a reopening of shops and malls contributed to a modest pickup in retail, and a partial recovery of business and personal travel cut in half the losses in the lodging/resort sector.

Together, these sectors’ earnings recovered just one-quarter of the declines suffered in the first half of 2020. Most importantly, the outlook for commercial real estate recovery among the broader property sectors in this category raised $780 million from the second quarter to the fourth quarter, recovering fully half of the decline that occurred during the shutdowns. At the same time, Kenya’s real estate is recovering, as evidenced by the 0.22 uptick in prices for residential units.

 

ii.) Green Building Takes Hold in the global real estate

 

Global real estate, which is about 2.7% of the world GDP, consumes approximately 40% of world energy annually and accounts for more than 20% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

As such, the industry has seen the emergence of a number of global and national regulatory frameworks around the integration of sustainability in business practices. Countries worldwide continue to introduce legal standards on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of existing and new real estate assets, covering both investment and development.

Recent sustainability initiatives specific to the industry are focused on building materials, energy efficiency, and waste management. Companies across the globe continue to use sustainable real estate, such as the use of recyclable building materials. At the same time, real estate developers and Investors are refurbishing existing buildings with energy- and water-efficient appliances, improving energy management by using smart meters, and engaging with tenants on their impact to enhance sustainability. In Kenya, sustainable real estate is the current trend, but investors and developers could implement these green building strategies.

 

 

E.) COMMON REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES,  AND SOLUTIONS

 

Getting a Real Estate Joint Venture Partner in Kenya.

 

YOUR CHALLENGE:

Modern real estate investment projects have turned out to be high capital intensive, both public and private sector projects. This has meant that a lot of developers are not able to fully finance the whole project; thereby requiring additional funding through borrowing or getting a Joint Venture Partner. For equity financing, your challenge comes in roping in a Strategic Partner in your investment project to meet the part of your finance deficit:

 

 

THE SOLUTIONS:

 

 

Investors are attracted by returns, as well as the risk profile of an investment. The high the returns and the lower the risk, the easier it is to attract a Joint Venture Partner. The following are areas that Developers should work on in order to attract or rope in a Joint Venture Partner in a Real Estate Investment Project:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Conducting a Feasibility Study: A Feasibility Study showcase the viability of the Investment Project to the Joint Venture Partner. The Feasibility Study should include Market Research, Technical Feasibility study, Financial Feasibility Study, Operational Feasibility Study, and definition of the Investment Project in relation to design, operations, management, marketing strategy, and return on investment.

 

  • Coming Up with a Capital Structure and Ownership Structure: The Capital Structure showcase to the Joint Venture Partner the proposed ownership stake between the project sponsor (Developer) and Investor relationship to the equity contribution of each into the project. This is a technical financial modelling process that involves consideration of all the technical, expertise, and financial contribution into the project.

 

  • Outlining Risks and Mitigation Strategy: Returns and Value in a real estate investment project are determined on how well the various risks are managed during at inception, implementation, and commissioning of the project. The developer must showcase how the various risk in a real estate investment project shall be managed; these being: technical risks, investment risks, financial risks, land-use risks, cost risks, quality risks, and market risks.
  • Outlining your Triple Bottom Line Analysis: The Triple bottom line analysis is an exercise that involve showcasing the Joint venture Partner the measure of the investment in relation to its economic, social and environmental contribution, as a marker of sustainability beyond the normal returns on investment. The Developer must therefore make a point of showcasing these contributions to the Joint Venture Partner.

 

  • Preparation of Real Estate Business Plan: All the materials and documentation mentioned in item “a, b, c, and d” above are combined together to form a Real Estate Business Plan for showcasing to a Joint Venture Partner.

 

  • Preparation of High-Level Business Plan: Since the Real Estate Business Plan can be a big document involving hundreds of pages, the Developer should make a point of summarizing the Real Estate Business Plan into a three- or four-page document called the High-Level Business Plan for sending to the Joint Venture Partner as a teaser or expression of interest.

 

  • Pitching for JV Partner: The final stage in the process of reaching to a joint venture partner involves sending the Pitch inform of a High-Level Business Plan. This is following by investor relations engagements, due diligence, legal engagement, and deal closure.

 

THE CONSULTANT TO ENGAGE:

The Consultants to engage in Project Finance and Consultancy of helping you rope in a Joint Venture Partner is a Real Estate Finance Consultant.  Buildafrique Consulting Group is a specialist in Project Finance, Capital Raising, and Joint Venture Capital Structuring.

 

 

 

 

 

F.) THIS WEEK ON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs), AND ANSWERS

 

QUESTION:

What are the most common Investment Decisions Analysis to consider while Investing in Real Estate Investment Project?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWER:

Investing in Real Estate Investment project comes with certain criteria that you have to consider during the analysis of the investment, in order to determine the viability of the investment and make investment decision. The most common include:

 

 

 

 

 

  • Net Present Value (NPV): This is a measure of the difference the present value of cash inflows and cash outflows discounted at a specific rate. The common discounting rate is usually the return of other or similar investment options, as opportunity cost of investing in the investment under consideration. Net present value (NPV) takes into consideration all the inflows, outflows, period of time, and risk involved, as a comprehensive tool for considering all aspects of the investment.  NPV must always be zero or positive for an investment to be viable.

 

  • Internal Rate of Return (IRR): The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is the discount rate that makes the Net Present Value (NPV) of an Investment project zero. In other words, it is the expected compound annual rate of return that will be earned on a project or investment. Suitable internal rate of return for real estate investment projects is between 20 and 30%.

 

  • Payback Period: Payback period refers to the amount of time it takes to recover the cost of an investment. Various classes and type of properties in real estate investment have different acceptable payback period, that should be considered during investment decision analysis.

 

G.) THIS WEEK ON DEVELOPMENT COSTS ANALYSIS – SYOKIMAU AREA, MACHAKOS COUNTY

 

This week’s focus on Development Cost Analysis is for Syokimau Area in Machakos, this being residential and commercial area in Machakos County. The Development type in this area according to the land-use and county zoning regulations includes Apartment Blocks, Maisonettes and Town House, and Shopping and Retail Complex.

Below is an analysis of Construction Cost per Square Meter (SM), for the option of procuring the development project through a Building Contractor, or an option of direct procurement of the Materials and Labour through a Labour Contractor for recommended building types.

 

 

H.) THIS WEEK ON REAL ESTATE PRICE ANALYSIS – SYOKIMAU, MACHAKOS COUNTY.

 

The Real Estate price analysis focus for this week is on land, sale, and rental prices for a 3 and 4 bedroom apartment in Syokimau – Machakos County. The data were obtained through surveys, and analysis of asking prices on property listings in Nairobi.

i.) Sales price – Apartment and houses

ii.) Rent price – Apartment and houses

iii.) Land price per acre (commercial/residential)

 

I.) CENTRAL BANK OF KENYA INTEREST RATE WATCH – (T-BILLS)

 

The money market was relatively liquid during the week ending 18th March 2021, supported by government payments that partly offset tax receipts and securities issuance. Commercial banks’ excess reserves stood at KSh 21.6 billion in relation to the 4.25 percent cash reserves requirement (CRR). Open market operations remained active. The average interbank rate was 5.48 percent on 18th March 2021 compared to 5.03 percent on 11th March 2021. During the week, the average number of interbank deals per day remained stable at 29, while the average value traded was KSh 13.5 billion compared to KSh 13.4 billion in the previous week.

91 day T-bill rates increased by 0.05 percent, from 7.024% to 7.071%. CBK offered a total of Ksh 4 Billion, and bids amounted to Ksh 5.42232 Billion, of which all was accepted. 182-day T-bill rate increased by 0.05 percent from 7.832% the previous week to 7.884%. CBK offered a total of Ksh 10 Billion, and bids amounted to Ksh 7.09933 Billion, of which Ksh 6.13584 Billion was accepted. The 364-day T-bill increased by 0.07 percent from 9.144% the previous week to 9.213 %. CBK offered a total of Ksh 10 Billion, and bids amounted to Ksh 15.077 Billion, of which Ksh 11.738 Billion was accepted.

 

J.) KENYA EQUITY MARKET INDICES

 

Investors’ trading confidence at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) reduced in the week ended 12th March 2021, evidenced by decreased trading activities. During the week, foreign investors assumed a net buying position by accounting for 17.74% of the total market sales and 62.42% of the total market purchases.

At the Nairobi Securities Exchange, the NASI, NSE 25 and NSE 20 share price indices increased by 2.0 percent, 1.8 percent and 0.68 percent, respectively, during the week ending 18th February 2021. Market capitalization also increased by 2.0 percent. However, equity turnover, total shares traded, and the number of deals declined by 40.7 percent, 47.08 percent and 6.32 percent, respectively.

 

K.) CURRENCY HIGHLIGHTS

 

The Kenya Shilling strengthened against major international but weakened against regional currencies during the week ending 18th March 2021. The local currency remained relatively stable against the greenback, exchanging at 109.797 per US dollar, attributed to the absence of strong interest for dollars from importers as the economy keeps on wrestling with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The usable foreign exchange reserves remained adequate at USD 7,412 million (4.55 months of import cover). That meets the CBK’s statutory requirement to endeavor to maintain at least four months of import cover and the EAC region’s convergence criteria of 4.5 months of import cover.

 

M.) FACTORS THAT WILL SHAPE THE REAL ESTATE AND OTHER MARKETS IN THE NEXT ONE WEEK.

i.) Rise in fuel prices

On Monday, 15th March 2021, the Petroleum, diesel and kerosene prices surged by Ksh7.63, Ksh.5.75 and Ksh.5.41 a litre in the latest maximum pump prices review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). A litre of petrol retail in Nairobi at Ksh.122.81, while diesel and kerosene will retail at Ksh.107.66 and Ksh.97.85 per litre, respectively.

In Kenya, the majority of the population relies on kerosene and gas for lighting and cooking and diesel for transportation and power generation, making fuel prices a vital determinant of the rate of inflation. Therefore, higher petroleum costs are expected to exert pressure on consumer spending affecting other commodities’ pricing, including electricity bills and food prices.

The increase is also expected to have a far-reaching effect on Kenyans who are struggling to survive due to the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy. Furthermore, the knock-on effect that the high cost of fuel has on transport will be transferred to the price of goods, consequently impacting households’ budgets. As a result, more money will be spent on food and transportation and less on household expenses such as rent. Companies, Developers, and Investors that depend on transportation of construction material will also have to adjust their cash flows to cater to the expected high transportation and production cost amid a slowed economy. As a result, the cost of related items like building materials and hence construction cost will go up as transporters load the extra charges on developers.

ii.)  Fall in the Country’s forex reserves.

Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves have declined by Sh27.8 billion (about $254 million) since the start of March 2021, attributed to external public debt repayments. The country’s reserves which were at $9.42 billion or 5.8 months of import cover in July 2020, dropped significantly to $7.359 billion (Sh807.28 billion) on  4th March 2021, down from $7.605 billion (Sh834.27 billion) as of 25th February 2021.

A good amount of Foreign Exchange Reserve increases confidence in the government’s monetary and exchange rate policy. The Foreign Exchange Reserve numbers are important to traders and investors as it controls the demand and supply in the Forex market, hence the value of the local currency. As such, the fall in the forex reserve is expected to depreciate the local currency against international currencies.

The plummet of the local currency against foreign currencies is expected to increase the influx of foreign investors and homebuyers in the Kenyan real estate market, as their purchasing power is expected to increase. On the other hand, the value of foreign investors’ rental income is expected to be significantly reduced when converted.

 

N.) UPCOMING REAL ESTATE EVENTS AND TRADE SHOWS IN THE COMING ONE WEEK.

 

i.) Webinar: Being a wiser broker in the online real estate office: The conference will discuss the fastest and the most affordable way to run a small, medium or large real estate office online.

Date: 22nd – 25th March 2021

Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Venue: Online

Event Organizer: https://greenpearl.com/real-estate-private-equity-summit/national/

 

 

 

 

ii.) Virtual conference: The future Projects Forum. The forum aims to bring together project owners from government or private entities with contractors and interested parties in one place and at one time to create new opportunities by identifying details of future projects in the contracting sector and knowing the mechanism of qualification and competition.  

Date: 22rd – 24th  March 2021

Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Venue: Online

Event Organizer: https://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/events/professional-development/webinar-03-23-2021

 

 

 

 

 

Writer of the Report:

This Report is written by Buildafrique Consulting Group, Kenya multi-disciplinary consultancy, that offers END-TO-END DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCY, REAL ESTATE, and PROJECT FINANCE solutions through specialized subsidiaries. Among our solutions includes:

  1. Feasibility Studies and Market Research.
  2. Project Finance and Capital Raising.
  3. Project Management.
  4. Investment Design Appraisal.
  5. Quantity Surveying
  6. Construction Cost Consultancy
  7. Physical Planning and Planning Permissions
  8. Environmental Management and Impact Assessment
  9. Real Estate Development and Structured Investment Solutions
  10. Property Valuation
  11. Marketing and Property Sales Agency
  12. Property Management and Facility Management

Our Contacts:

 

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this report is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information contained on the report for any purpose. Readers are therefore advised in all circumstances to seek the advice of Registered and Licensed professionals in all matters related to Real Estate Investment and Project Development.