Listing guides
How to write and price a property listing in Kenya that gets serious enquiries
A copy-and-paste template for rental and sale listings, plus a practical way to price your house, apartment or land using comparable listings in your area.
By the UrbanEstate Kenya team 6 min read
Most listings fail for two reasons: the description doesn't answer basic questions, and the price is out of line with the area. Fix both and your phone rings with better enquiries.
A title that does the work
Formula: size + type + estate + one selling point. Examples:
- "2 bedroom apartment in Kileleshwa with borehole and backup generator"
- "Bedsitter in Roysambu, 5 minutes to Thika Road"
- "1/8 acre plot in Kitengela, ready title, 800m off Namanga Road"
Description template
Copy this and fill it in:
- One-line summary — who it suits ("Ideal for a young family working in Westlands").
- The space — rooms, finishes, floor level, lift, balcony.
- Utilities — water source and reliability, electricity (token or postpaid), backup power.
- Security and compound — gate, guard, CCTV, parking spaces.
- Location — distance to the main road, matatu stage, schools, shops, hospital.
- Terms — monthly rent, deposit, any service charge, date available. For sale: price, title type, whether it is negotiable.
- Viewing — when viewings are possible and how to reach you.
How to price it
- Find comparables. Search UrbanEstate and other listings for the same type in the same estate — not just the same county. A 2 bedroom in Kilimani and one in Ruaka are different markets.
- Adjust honestly. Newer building, borehole, lift, parking and security justify more. Older finishes, poor road access or unreliable water mean less.
- Consider speed. Every empty month costs you a full month's rent. Pricing slightly under the market often earns more over a year than waiting for a top price.
- Watch the response. If you get no enquiries in two weeks, your price or photos are the problem. Adjust one and try again.
For sales and land
Buyers will do their own checks, so have your documents ready: a copy of the title, a recent official search, rates or land rent clearance where applicable, and for land, the survey map and beacons. Listings with paperwork ready sell faster. See buying land safely for what serious buyers will ask for.
Put it into practice: list your property free.