Wafula Simiyu : the Chronicles

In real estate showings, the Open House is the gold standard. As the name implies, a property is open to just about anyone who learns of the showing in an online or print ad, drives by and sees the agent’s sign, or receives a notification postcard in the mail. But not everyone who goes to an open house is a potential buyer. Here are five types of people likely to pass through a property during an open house. 1. The real buyer These people are somewhere in the home-buying process. They’re either testing out the market or they’re serious and fully qualified, ready to take action. For the seller, these are the ones you want coming through the door. 2. The nearby neighbor This guy or gal has been waiting for years for an excuse to get inside your home, for various reasons. Their home may be similar to yours — maybe even designed by the same architect — and they want to compare their property to yours. There might be other reasons to see it, too: They may have heard late-night mus

You've dreamed of living in a country-inspired yet urban setting. You've dreamed of an elegant home in the country. You're nostalgic for the sound of cocks crowing in the morning and the warmth of wood burning fireplaces in the evening. Now you can live your dream at Bahati Ridge: your paradise is within grasp. Situated in Thika, a mere 45-minute drive from Nairobi’s Central Business District (30 minutes on the soon-to-be completed eight lane super-highway), Bahati Ridge presents an exciting selection of townhouses, villas, bungalows and cottages that feature beautiful hill country views, a tranquil rural ambience and a refreshing escape from city chaos. www.bahatiridge.co.ke . Discerning homeowners will love this 90-acre integrated gated community and all the benefits of country living. Each residence will be a short five-to-ten minute walk from the common centre. The centre is the hub of community life, and features a supermarket, cafes, salons and resta