Buying land can be fun, but it is important to ask the right questions and do your research before you commit to any purchase. Here are some of the things you should consider as you embark on finding land. It’s just a starting point so please talk to your lawyer before taking the next step.
Land Searching Tips
Tip 1: Start moving as early as possible
Try to go to open homes as soon as you can. That way, if you’re really keen on a place, you’ve got time to see it again. Plus you’ve got more time to do your research (‘due diligence’), such as reading all the necessary reports, conducting inspections, arranging your finance and getting the legal paperwork sorted.
Tip 2: Take any written material away with you
When you’ve been through 10 open homes, it can be hard to remember which one had the breakfast bar and which one had the ensuite. Salespeople normally have a range of materials available for you take away from an open home. Remember to take a pen so you can make your own notes about the property.
Tip 3: Visit the house privately
Don’t be afraid to ring an agent for a private viewing. Even if the property has an open home advertised, you can sometimes visit a property privately. This is a good idea as you’ll most likely have the agent’s undivided attention and you might be able to use the opportunity to put in an offer before anyone else.
Tip 4: Talk to the neighbours and local authorities
They may be able to share information about the property and the surrounding area that the real estate agent doesn’t have.
Questions to ask your broker or land seller
How long has this house been on sale?
What have nearby properties sold for recently?
What have nearby properties sold for recently?
Was it owner occupied or rented out?
Have there been any alterations to the house?
Where are the boundaries of the plot?
Where are the boundaries of the plot?
Are there any covenants or restrictions registered on the title?
Are there any issues with property maintenance or damage that the broker knows about? (Such as leaking, serenity or noisy neigbourhood).
The broker, house agent or house owner should be in position to answer these questions satisfactorily.
Work with a good lawyer
Getting good legal advice is very important when buying a property. Ideally you should get a lawyer on board when you’ve found a house you like.
Your lawyer will be able to advise you before you sign anything. They can provide advice on the negotiation process and the sale and purchase agreement, and check the relevant paperwork, like the Certificate of Title and Land Registration.
Links to housing related agencies:
What Next?
Now that you have established all the background work, it is time to get the banking process started. The land loan is the answer to your question. The maximum loan size is open but within 60% of open market value not exceeding forced sale value. This loan is available for plots that are 30 km from Kampala and 5 km within municipalities with the following benefits:
- Long repayment period of up to 20 years
- High loan amounts of up to 80% of the loan value
- Loan repayments of up to 35% of your ascertainable gross income
- Loan payable on a reducing balance basis in predictable equal monthly installments
- Competitive interest rate
Pre-application check list
- Copy of a valid land title
- Copy of approved building plans
- Bills of quantities of the outstanding work (in case of construction)
- Photographs of at least four elevations of the building
- Copy of a sale agreement (in case of purchase)
- Environmental impact Assessment report from National Environmental Authority ( NEMA) for projects of UGX 1 billion and above
What you need to get started (Salaried Persons)
- Proof of borrower’s income i.e. Letter from employer, pay slips for the last 2 months or a Bank statement for the last 12 months
- Completed application form
- Copy of financial card, valid ID and passport photos
- Spousal consent or statutory declaration for marital status
- Certified copies of Company founding documents (in case of self-employed applicants)
What you need to get started (Self Employed Persons)
- Companies have to present audited financial statements, certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of Association, copy of Form 7 and a Bank statement of 2 years
- Sole proprietorship need certificates of registration and Bank statements for 2 years
- Completed application form
- Copy of financial card, valid ID and passport photos
- Spousal consent or statutory declaration for marital status
- Certified copies of Company founding documents (in case of self-employed applicants)
How much could I afford to borrow?
Please fill in the following information for an estimation of your repayment amount. The Approximate Monthly Repayment figure for Personal Loan is indicative and is not meant to be final or binding on the Bank.
Apply For a Housing Finance Home Loan
Apply online
Ready to take the next step? Apply online and we’ll respond to you swiftly.
Call us
Speak with one of our banking specialists.
Call: +256 414 259 651 or +256 414 259 652.
Quick Answer Videos
Other Helpful Guides
In making the question of affordable housing more practical, Housing Finance Bank has partnered with…
What the purpose of the mortgage is: Construction, purchase, extension or improvement of residential &…
