October 16th, 2011  Posted at   Real Estate
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When we talk about real estate, two things pop-up immediately and they are commercial real estate and residential real estate. One amazing thing about this industry is that mostly there is lots of money involved in property dealings and, thus, the product of this industry is big and expensive. Now, when you promote cheaper products like cell phones, computers, cars, etc. you have to be sure that you are looking great and that your advertisement is awesome as well. If the quality of your ads looks cheap, then the quality of your products or services will look cheap as well.

So, when you have to be so much cautions even when you are promoting small products (in terms of size and cost), then you can very well imagine how professional and trustworthy you will have to look if you are part of the real estate industry. When you promote your business, you will have to ensure that you get to win the trust of your target market, allowing you to bring them to your office. There are several ways of promoting your services, but one of the most effective ways of attracting buyers and making your business known is to promote your real estate business through brochures.

Let’s say you hire someone to distribute your brochures in different offices. It then reaches a businessman who has been thinking about relocating to a better and affordable location. Won’t you be able to attract him and make him call you or visit your office? Well, this is what should happen ultimately, but it will happen only if you will be considered as a true professional in your industry. Moving to a new office is not an easy task and, thus, any businessman will be very cautious. So, if you want businessmen to show interest in your services, then you will have to look credible via your brochure design.

Another example would be that a person is willing to buy a house or an apartment. He learns about your business through your brochure. Again, he will contact you only if he will think that you will be able to provide professional consultation and offer sound suggestions. How will they determine all this? Well, they will simply look at your brochure design and take a wild guess. Yes, it’s the design that plays with the senses and decisions of people. If it looks professional, then your chances of bringing your market into your office increase significantly. Read more… »

October 13th, 2011  Posted at   Home Improvement
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Recently, a study conducted by the World Bank on home ownership in Kenya revealed that a paltry 16,000 homes have been sold through mortgages since independence.

This clearly shows that over 99% of Kenyans have resulted to other ways of home ownership.

Most of the homes in Kenya are built without the aid of mortgages.

The average Kenyan will first buy land then they continue to build their home slowly over time.

To make housing affordable, the key ingredients of a house must be addressed. These ingredients are:

1. Land

2. Design and construction project management.

LAND.

Land has continued to rise steeply around urban areas in Kenya. This is because the Government cannot keep up with increasing new infrastructure [roads and water]. Therefore, land that is near a road and has tap water becomes scarce hence high demand.

For example, along Kangundo road past Kamulu in the KBC area, land is available in plenty at a low cost but there is no tap water, no security and no all-weather internal road networks. This results in many people buying the lands for speculation as they keep their fingers crossed hoping that the Government will one day assist in laying down the much needed infrastructure.

Bypass

The recent completion of the Eastern bypass from City Cabanas along Mombasa road to Juja has gone a long way in opening up new lands for housing. This is a commendable step by the Government in opening up new lands through infrastructure. Land along this bypass is rising very fast in cost due to the demand hence an urgent need for more areas to be opened up.

The Land Commission should also act up and make the necessary legal framework that discourages individuals/companies from hoarding large vast lands without utilizing them. This will result to such land being put up for sale to ease the land shortage.

Lands along Thika road in areas such as Kamuthi Housing scheme in Kiganjo whereby thousands of acres are being put up for sale to home owners is the way to go for the moment. Read more… »

October 12th, 2011  Posted at   Buying
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San Rafael is the oldest city in Marin County, and it may be one of the most interesting and diverse as well. Comprised of 30 distinct neighborhoods in addition to a lively downtown shopping district, San Rafael is an eclectic mix of the old and the new. Downtown you’ll find a vibrant city plaza, full of ethnic restaurants, retail shops, art galleries, and Victorian architecture. On the 16 square miles surrounding the downtown you’ll find California suburban life at its best.

Only about 20 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, San Rafael is a perfect base of operations for the commuter. It is out of the rat-race of the big city, but close to just about everything a family could want: good schools, recreation, shopping, and entertainment. Another attractive feature is that San Rafael real estate tends to be a bit less expensive than in many other areas of Marin County. There seems to be a trend that the farther north you travel in Marin, the more affordable the real estate becomes. This trend may not last, however, as people discover the north county. It has a lot going for it. The area is less congested and there is more open space within city limits than you’ll find in most of Marin County, but San Francisco and the other Bay Area cities are still very accessible to San Rafael.

Out of San Francisco’s famous fog, but still within the coastal influence, weather in San Rafael is temperate and mild. Summers are warm enough for swimming and the outdoor living Californians love, but seldom will you find the heat that makes the inland areas of California so uncomfortable. In the winter rain can be plentiful, as it is throughout northern California, but ice and snow are all but unheard of, as are the tule fogs found in the Central Valley.

San Rafael has some of the most diverse and interesting architecture in Marin County. Probably the most recognizable and famous landmark is the Marin County Civic Center, designed by internationally recognized architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Other interesting public buildings in San Rafael include the Mission San Rafael Archangel; the Boyd House, which is home to the Marin Historical Society Museum and is an extraordinary example of high Victorian Gothic; the Queen Anne style Falkirk mansion; and the St. Vincent’s School’s Italian Renaissance Mission-style.

This richness in architecture extends to residential real estate in San Rafael as well. No matter what you are looking for, whether it be a traditional home, a Victorian, or something of contemporary design you are likely to find it in San Rafael. Each neighborhood has a distinct flavor from hip and modern to graciously classic, and homes range in style from sleek minimalist to the Victorian grand dame.

To the mid-century modern home enthusiast, San Rafael real estate can provide some exciting house-hunting opportunities. In fact, San Rafael is home to the largest grouping of mid-century modern homes in Marin County. Most of the homes built by Joseph Eichler and the Alliance Homes Company during the 1950′s and 60′s are still standing, and homeowners today are rediscovering these ranch-style homes that were the cutting edge of home design 50 years ago. Read more… »

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