If you are looking to invest in real estate in Ghana, you are in the right place. The OWNHM website has a lot to offer to people looking to invest in real estate in Ghana. Before you make any investment decision, it is advisable to research and know how feasible that investment idea is so you can make an informed decision.
Ghana has a rapidly growing economy and a flourishing real estate market which means investing in estates in Ghana can be quite promising. With increasing urbanization in places like the capital city, Accra, and the largest city, Kumasi, demand for quality housing in such places has also increased.
Ghana’s Rapidly Growing Economy
Ghana’s Rapidly Growing Economy can be attributed to factors like:
- Investment opportunities in Ghana for both locals and foreigners
- Growing middle-class and upper-class society of the population which was previously not so.
- Government initiatives on promoting tourism like The Year of Return opened the Ghanaian culture and way of life to a lot of foreigners and ultimately had the impact of expanding the expatriate community.
There is no doubt that Ghana’s rapidly growing economy has contributed immensely to the booming real estate market in Ghana, especially in urban areas like Accra and Kumasi, and investing in such areas can be a worthy investment.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with practical tips and strategies for successful estate investments in Ghana. Whether you are a local buyer or a foreign investor, this guide will help you gain clarity on investing in estates in Ghana so you can make an informed decision.
Investing In Estates In Ghana
Ghana offers attractive investment prospects for real estate buyers and investors. However, as a beginner investing in the Ghana real estate market, it is important to understand the market and follow the best practices to achieve a successful investment.
It is also important to note that every country’s real estate market isn’t the same. Even in Ghana, the real estate trends in Accra are a bit different from that of other cities. For instance, the trend of building luxurious apartments for sale is only common in Accra. You won’t find those common in other cities like Takoradi. Also, gated estates communities are common in Accra and Kumasi and not in other cities.
That is why it is important to research all you have to know before making an investment decision in any part of Ghana.
Tips For Investing In Estates In Ghana
As real estate experts, we are dedicated to helping our clients and audience make the best real estate investments. On our website, OWNHM, you will find real estate listings for sale and rent. You will also find a list of the best agents and developers that you can contact and work with.
Additionally, we have our blog where we help our audience with relevant information and expert advice on the real estate market in Ghana so they can make informed decisions.
In this blog post, we are shedding light on tips that you can utilize to make a successful investment in estates in Ghana.
1. Understand The Property Types
The Ghanaian real estate market offers various types of properties, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use estates. We have estates that are solely residential like Trassaco Valley, Airport Hills, and Regimanuel Estates. These estates in Ghana are gated communities with houses for individuals and families.
There are also mixed-use estates in Ghana such as the Montgomery Residences in East Legon Hills and the Appolonia City that offer properties for both residential and commercial purposes. For example, Appolonia City has residential houses but it also has Appolonia Park which is a light industrial park for commercial purposes like manufacturing, processing, storage, and logistics.
Also, we have commercial estates in Ghana like the Ghana Industrial and Commercial Estate Limited located at Weija. This estate is being sold and rented out for commercial purposes like manufacturing, processing, storage, logistics, and service providing. Such estates are good to invest in if you want to be localized in a commercial hub.
It is therefore very important to understand the type of property and assess how it will be beneficial to your purpose before you make an investment decision.
2. Conduct Due Diligence Before Investing In Estates In Ghana
Before investing in estates in Ghana, you need to conduct thorough due diligence. This includes researching property titles, ownership history, and any existing liens or encumbrances. Verify the property’s physical location, condition, and amenities.
Sometimes using the services of a real estate website like OWNHM can help makes it easy to conduct your due diligence. Platforms like OWNHM help connect you with certified industry experts like real estate agents who can help you with your research about a particular estate you would like to invest in.
Additionally, the properties listed on such platforms have gone through some vetting processes already and this makes it even easier for you to conduct due diligence.
3. Negotiate Deals When Investing In Estates In Ghana
Most estates in Ghana have prices that are negotiable. As a beginner or foreigner looking to invest, you might not know that you can actually negotiate on the price but sometimes you can. Research the market prices, compare different estate options, and negotiate with the property owners or agents.
Remember to take into account the location of the estate. Estates around exclusive neighborhoods like Airport Hills, Cantonment, and East Legon Hills are usually more expensive than estates around Tema, Oyarifa, Afienya, or even Kumasi.
You can search for similar properties on a listing website like OWNHM, which will give you a fair idea of the market value of such property.
If you are dealing with a property owner directly, you can seek assistance from a professional agent to help ensure fair negotiations and avoid potential pitfalls.
4. Try to Manage Risks When Investing In Estates In Ghana
Like any investment, investing in estates in Ghana comes with risks. Therefore it is important to understand and get to know the types of risks involved in this type of investment. Consider factors like market volatility, currency fluctuations, political stability, and property management challenges.
In Ghana, people hardly insure their properties, especially residential properties. However, risks from property management challenges that can cause you to lose your investment can be mitigated with insurance so be sure to look into that, especially if you are using your property for rental.
While you can use insurance to mitigate some of these risks, you can also diversify your portfolio and have contingency plans in place to combat risk from other factors.
5. Financing Options for Investing in Estates in Ghana
Financing is a crucial aspect of real estate investment. In Ghana, apart from the option of self-financing from your savings, there is also the option of bank loans, mortgage schemes, and partnerships.
Many banks like Ecobank give out loans and mortgages to people looking to invest in real estate. But you must research to know their interest rates, repayment terms, and any other associated cost involved before getting involved with any bank.
Evaluate your financial capacity and choose the financing option that best suits your investment goals.
6. Conder the Legalities involved in Investing in Estates In Ghana.
Every real estate transaction in Ghana involves legal processes and nearly all lands in Ghana are sold on leasehold. Meaning, you are entitled to own the land that your property is on for a period of 99 years for Ghanaians and 50 years for expats. It is therefore advisable to make sure your lease allows for it to be renewed after the years elapse.
That is why we advise you to engage the services of professionals like real estate agents and legal practitioners to guide you through the legal requirements, contracts, and agreements. Ensure you review your documents properly to fully understand the legal implications before signing any agreement.
Also, consider the taxes involved so you can be informed. Rental income is taxable income in Ghana. 8% of the gross rent in a year is supposed to be paid to the government on residential premises while commercial premises attract a 15% tax rate.
You are also supposed to pay property tax yearly, which is between 0.5% – 3% of the total property value to the local assembly.
7. Try forming Local Partnerships when Investing in Estates in Ghana
As a beginner or an expat, it is advisable to work with local real estate professionals such as real estate agents, lawyers, developers, and property managers. These professionals have local market knowledge, experience, and networks that can help you navigate the Ghanaian real estate market effectively.
An example of a very successful real estate partnership in Ghana is the partnership between the Ashanti King, Otumfour Osei Tutu II, and the Vital Capital Fund which resulted in the first gated community in Kumasi, Parabon Greenfield.
The real estate market in Ghana is booming and as such it is quite easy to form successful partnerships with parties who might also be interested in real estate.
8. Conduct Market Research Before Investing in Estates in Ghana
Stay updated with the latest market trends, news, and developments in the Ghanaian real estate market. Conduct your research on potential estates in Ghana, their locations, amenities, market demand, and their potential Return On Investment.
For instance, most estate developers are now developing estates on the urban fringes of Accra. What is the potential of such estates and should you be investing in estates like those or should you invest in estates in the heart of Accra?
Conducting your research and clearly defining your purpose for investing will help you decide on the type of estate or properties that you should invest in.
Conclusion
Investing in estates in Ghana, especially in urban cities like Accra and Kumasi can be lucrative. However, it requires careful planning and execution. Following these tips and opting to work with industry experts like real estate agents, lawyers, property managers, and developers can help you to be more successful in your investments.
Also, by using platforms like OWNHM, you can easily find luxurious residential houses and commercial buildings that are up for sale in Accra.
If you are looking at the different estates with houses for sale in Ghana, check our blog post that lists estates houses for sale, their prices, and their location in Ghana.
