Buying or selling a house is an emotional decision for most folks, so there’s a case for bringing in a trusted ally who’s an expert on the matter to help them navigate the process. This ally is known as a realtor, popularly referred to by Kenyans as a real estate agent.
Selling a house is an emotional grind. You may want to set a high price for a home full of memories, but the price is based on the measurable attributes of the house, not the sentimental value. Not to mention that with beauty being such a subjective thing, others may not appreciate the home you’re selling. A realtor will help you create the best atmosphere that will charm buyers and make them want to buy your home.
Buying a house is a similar emotional experience. Most homebuyers are motivated by several emotional reasons: building a space for their family, excitement over a new investment opportunity, or because they’re tired of renting. Professional realtors prospective homeowners do the homework necessary before committing to a new house.
Whether you’re buying or selling a house, your process can be made easier by using the right realtor. In a city like Nairobi, with the myriad horror tales of bad realtors, knowing the right real estate agent to trust makes all the difference when deciding the best real estate deal to see through.
Finding a ‘good’ realtor might not be as easy as it sounds on paper as there is a myriad of realtors in Nairobi. Therefore, knowing what to look for in a realtor is important in getting your property sold at a top dollar or acquiring some with minimal hassles.
In this article you will learn:
- What to consider when picking a realtor
- How to identify the top realtors in Nairobi
- The top realtors in Nairobi with a proven track record of being trustworthy.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A REALTOR IN NAIROBI, KENYA
1. Experience
When it comes to finding a realtor, experience is a paramount consideration. Even though a new realtor might have a lot of enthusiasm and energy, going for the one who has invested years in knowing the ins and outs of the market is important. This kind of realtor has spent years developing relationships with other market players and understands the dynamics of the Nairobi market as well as the prospects it holds. Experience cannot be gained in a week. It is therefore very difficult to get great results with new agents, especially in Nairobi, a crowded and competitive marketplace.
2. Track record
Being in the market long enough should not be the only key in selecting a realtor. A realtor should have a solid track record.
Pro tip: Go for the realtor who has been successful in helping clients sell or acquire property especially during economic downturns.
3. Highly recommended
Before choosing a realtor, get some proof of their capabilities. The easiest way is often to ask your friends to recommend the best realtor they know. Consider doing some research online, and don’t forget to scrutinize the reviews of the particular real estate agent that interests you.
10 of the Top Realtors (Real Estate Agents) in Nairobi
1. HassConsult Real Estate
HassConsult prides itself in being one of the oldest and most reputable real estate companies in Kenya with over 17 years of historical data in Kenya’s property market. HassConsult is built on the pillars of transparency, integrity, and professionalism and continues to be a trendsetter in the Kenyan real estate industry. They offer services in new property development, letting, consultancy, selling of properties, managing of properties as well as valuation of both residential and commercial properties. Their main offices are located at ABC place along Waiyaki way. Most of their rental properties are located at Girigiri, Karen, Muthaiga, Westlands, Parklands, Riverside Drive, and Brookside.
Their rental houses range from 75,000 to 250,000 per month and are perfect for anyone selling, letting, buying, or even renting.
HassConsult also publishes the Hass Index – the most expansive price index detailing current and historical information about house price inflation in Kenya. Besides house prices, HassConsult also publishes indices that track land prices, sale prices, and rental prices countrywide.
2. Ace Realtors Ltd
Ace realtors is a one-stop agency for everything real estate. It is a Kenyan real estate company duly incorporated under the Companies Act Cap 486 and started its operation in 2009. They have a comprehensive listing of available residential and commercial properties suiting a wide client range. Its mission is to provide top-notch real estate services with honesty and integrity.
Ace Realtors specializes in the property market of Kenya and Dubai. They also offer services in property management, property marketing as well as property search. They are located on the fourth floor of Jimkan House in Woodvale Grove, Westlands, Nairobi. Most of their rental properties are located at Kileleshwa, Parklands, Westlands, Lavington, Syokimau, Spring Valley, Brookside Estate, South B, Waiyaki Way, and Kilimani.
Their rental houses range from 18,000 to 275,000 per month and are a perfect fit for anyone selling, letting, buying, or even renting.
3. Knight Frank Kenya Ltd
ounded in 1896 and headquartered in London, UK, Knight Frank is the world’s largest privately owned global property agency with an expanding network of over 384 offices in 51 territories.
Established in March 1998, Knight Frank Kenya has over 20 years of experience and is renowned for marketing some of the best properties in Kenya. With a growing team of 160 experienced professionals, Knight Frank Kenya provides real estate services of the highest quality in the commercial, retail and residential markets.
Knight Frank Kenya handles a full range of residential property; from apartments to townhouses, land to standalone homes and exclusive properties on the coast and upcountry. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a seller, a tenant or a landlord Knight Frank Kenya provides personalised, clear and considered advice, whatever your property needs.
Knight Frank Kenya’s headquarters is in Nairobi at Lion Place, Westlands with a branch office in Mombasa at City Mall, Nyali and residential satellite offices at Sarit Centre, Westlands and The Hub in Karen.
4. Dunhill Consulting Ltd
Since being founded in 2003, Dunhill Consulting has made a name for itself in the Kenyan real estate industry. It prides itself on offering cost-effective services in property management, development, valuation, property selling, and letting of both residential and commercial properties. Their offices are located in Hevea court, Block A3, No 15 Eldama Ravine Road, Westlands.
Most of their rental properties are located at Parklands, General Mathenge, Riverside, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Nyari West, Kabete Road, Brookside Gardens, Lower Kabete, and Westlands.
Their rental houses range from 65,000 to 350,000,000 per month and are perfect for anyone selling, letting, buying, or even renting.
5. Pam Golding Properties
These realtors have their roots in South Africa and are one the best realtors in Nairobi, having won numerous awards to reflect this. This company highly believes in professionalism, reliability, and integrity. They are located at The Hub Karen, on Dagoretti Road in Nairobi. They handle services such as new development sales, property management, residential and commercial property sales among others.
Most of their rental properties are located at Loresho, Lavington, Riverside, Thika Road, Ngara, and Westlands.
Their rental houses start from 120,000 per month and are perfect for anyone selling, letting, buying, or even renting.
6. Sarabi Realty Group
Sarabi Realty Group has immensely grown to be one of the leading real estate agencies in Nairobi Kenya especially in the posh estates such as Kilimani, Lavington, and Westlands among others. They are on the 6th floor of Senteu plaza on Lenana road. They focus on providing high-quality service and putting the needs of the client first while at it. Their services include selling and letting properties, management of properties as well as construction management.
7. Kenya Valuers and Estate Agents
Since being founded in 1998, this realtor has grown to become a giant in the Nairobi real estate industry. It is a reputable company offering properties located in Westlands, Loresho, Kilimani, Ridgeways, old Runda, and Gigiri to name a few.
Their rental houses range from 50,000 to 600,000 per month and are a perfect fit for anyone selling, letting, buying, or even renting in the poshest suburbs of Kenya.
Their offices are located in Museum Hill center 3rd floor and at the Village Market.
8. Karengata Property Managers
This company was established in 2005 and has grown over the years to be one of the most reputable, professional, and efficient real estate companies in the Karen and Lang’ata area of Nairobi. Most of their rental properties are located in Karen, Kileleshwa, Dennis Pritt, Hardy Estate – Lang’ata, among other places. Their head office is in Green Shopping mall 3rd floor in Lavington.
9. VAAL Real Estate
VAAL Real Estate is a leading real estate developer in Africa, specializing in luxury homes. The vision for industry leadership is unwavering, combining new age architecture, unequaled innovation, expertise, and market understanding. They continue to provide the same high-quality service, expert guidance, and on-time project delivery that have built our name.
Their head office is located at Keystone Park, Riverside Drive Nairobi Kenya. Most of their rental properties are located in Nairobi and their rental houses start from 60,000 per month and are a perfect fit for anyone selling, letting, buying, or even renting.
10. Azizi Realtors
Azizi Realtors is a Sales, Letting & Property management company that offers real estate consultancy services with a difference.
Azizi specializes in prime property in Nairobi and its environs and the rest of the country.
Their head office is located at Lavington Green Mall, Nairobi Kenya. Most of their rental properties are located in Komarock, Karen, Kilimani, Mathenge, Valley Arcade, Runda, and Westlands. Their sales of houses start from 5,600,000 and are a perfect fit for anyone selling, letting, buying, or even renting.
FINAL WORD
The number of realtors in Nairobi is way beyond what has been covered in this article. However, the eight will give you a head start especially if you are looking to invest, renting or let in Nairobi’s most known suburbs. Having discussed some of the factors that you should consider when choosing the best realtors, it’s equally important that you avoid realtors who are not good communicators, who lie or give half-truths, and agents who are not good listeners. You should also be wary of realtors who are pushy and make urgent or rush requests to avoid being scammed.
