Buying Property While Abroad? Here’s How to Avoid Scams

• But buying property while abroad comes with a unique set of risks, especially if you’re not on the ground to see things for yourself.
• Have clarity because it helps you avoid rushed decisions based on emotion or sweet deals that sound too good to be true.
• Always work with licensed real estate agents and advocates of the High Court.
• Buying property from abroad is doable but it requires caution, patience, and a good team on the ground.

Most people leave the country to study, work, or simply chase better opportunities. And when the money starts coming in, the next question becomes: how do I invest back home?

Real estate is usually top of the list. You might want to buy land for future resale, purchase an apartment to rent out, or even build your dream retirement home. But buying property while abroad comes with a unique set of risks, especially if you’re not on the ground to see things for yourself. The last thing you want is to pour your hard-earned money into a scam.

So how do you invest safely? How do you make sure what you’re buying is real, legal, and worth it?

Let’s walk through it — step by step.

READ ALSO: Common Real Estate Scams in Kenya and How to Avoid Them

1. Get Clear on What You’re Buying and Why

Start with clarity. Are you buying to build, resell, or just hold and wait for appreciation? The kind of property you choose will depend on your goal. For example, speculative land might be cheap now but come with long timelines and risk. Buying a ready apartment might be more expensive but easier to rent out.

Clarity helps you avoid rushed decisions based on emotion or sweet deals that sound too good to be true, because they usually are.

2. Only Work with Verified Professionals

One of the biggest scams targeting diaspora buyers in Kenya is fake agents and ghost developers. In 2023, several Kenyans abroad lost money to a fake company “selling plots” in Joska, only to find the land belonged to someone else entirely.

Always work with licensed real estate agents and advocates of the High Court. You can verify an agent through the Estate Agents Registration Board and a lawyer through the Law Society of Kenya.

If you’re not around, your best bet is to have someone physically visit the property. Not just anyone, someone you trust, who can take videos, photos, talk to neighbours, and confirm that what’s on paper exists on the ground.

Even better? Hire a professional valuer or land surveyor. They’re trained to spot irregularities  like land that’s been subdivided illegally, is near a riparian reserve, or already has a caveat.

4. Always Conduct an Official Land Search

Before you pay even a deposit, insist on doing a land search at the Ministry of Lands. This will tell you who the real owner is, whether the land has any disputes, or if it’s charged to a bank.

Too many buyers skip this step and pay deposits based on scanned title deeds and trust. Scammers count on that.

5. Avoid Cash Payments and Personal Accounts

Never send money to a personal number, M-Pesa till, or bank account that’s not tied to a registered business or law firm. If someone insists on urgency or secrecy around payment, that’s a red flag.

Use formal channels and ask for receipts and contracts. Every transaction should be documented.

6. Don’t Skip the Legal Process — Even with Family

It’s tempting to say, “My cousin is handling everything” or “My aunt is trustworthy.” But even family can make mistakes, or fall victim to scams themselves.

Make sure you have a lawyer draft and review the sale agreement, and that the transfer of ownership is done legally through the Ministry of Lands. Don’t rely on promises or informal agreements.

7. Take Your Time — And Trust Your Gut

Scammers know how to pressure you. “This deal won’t last,” “Only two plots left,” “Someone else is also interested.” Don’t fall for it. If you’re feeling uneasy, pause. A genuine deal will wait for you to do things the right way.

Conclusion

Buying property from abroad is doable, and many Kenyans have done it successfully. But it requires caution, patience, and a good team on the ground. Don’t let desperation or fear push you into shortcuts.

You worked hard for your money. Let your investment reflect that same level of care.

READ ALSO: How to Identify and Avoid Real Estate Scams in Kenya