Buying Land for Your Parents While Abroad – What You Need to Know
More Than a Purchase. It’s a Gift of Love.
Many diaspora Kenyans dream of buying land or homes for their aging parents. But it’s a decision that requires financial, legal, and emotional planning.
What to Consider:
- Their needs: Consider proximity to healthcare, social spaces, and farming interests. Would they prefer a rural village like Nyeri or a semi-urban plot in Nakuru?
- Ownership: Will it be under your name, theirs, or both? Joint ownership with siblings should be documented to avoid future disputes.
- Legal clarity: Draft a sales agreement and register the property. If it’s a gift, consider doing a formal title transfer or trust deed.
- Family dynamics: Communicate intentions clearly with relatives to avoid conflicts over expectations.
Make it Work:
- Involve your parents in choosing location and design
- Build in phases—start with essentials, then expand
- Consider gated retirement communities with clinics, security, and communal spaces
