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Our process

# How It Works

A clear, step-by-step look at what happens when you buy, sell or rent through Kigali Yacu Property — whether you're in Kigali or watching from abroad.

- Title verified
- Escrow-friendly process
- Virtual viewings
- Power of attorney supported

The exact steps differ slightly depending on whether you're buying, selling or renting, but the underlying principle is the same throughout: you should never be asked to commit money before you've seen the documentation that justifies it.

## Buying a property

1. Tell us what you need. Budget, location, property type and timeline — either browse properties yourself or use find your property and we'll match listings to you, including off-market options.
2. Shortlist and view. In-person viewings for local buyers; live video calls or recorded walkthroughs for buyers abroad.
3. Due diligence. Before you make an offer, we run title verification on your shortlisted property — ownership, UPI number, dispute check, boundary confirmation.
4. Offer and sale agreement. We negotiate on your behalf and review the sale agreement clause by clause before you sign — see our sale agreement guide.
5. Payment and transfer. Funds move against agreed milestones, and registered title transfer is completed with a notary.
6. Handover. Keys, meter readings, and any agreed furnishings or staff handover, confirmed in writing.

If you're buying from outside Rwanda, steps 2 through 5 can be completed under power of attorney without you needing to be physically present.

## Selling a property

1. Valuation. A honest, market-based estimate — see property valuation — based on comparable recent sales, not just what you hope it's worth.
2. Documentation check. We confirm your title is in order before marketing starts; unresolved issues here are the single biggest cause of a sale falling through later.
3. Marketing. Professional photography, a written listing, and distribution across our buyer network and diaspora channels.
4. Negotiation. We manage viewings and offers, and advise you on which offer is actually strongest once financing certainty and timeline are accounted for, not just headline price.
5. Closing. Sale agreement, payment milestones, and registered transfer, handled the same way as on the buying side.

Start with list your property or request a valuation directly.

## Renting a property

Tenants go through a lighter version of the same verification: we confirm the landlord's ownership before advertising a rental, agree lease terms in writing, and hold any deposit against a documented condition report. See rent property for current listings and typical lease terms in Kigali.

## What "escrow-friendly" actually means here

Rwanda doesn't have the same formal escrow-agent industry as some Western property markets. What we offer instead is a structured, milestone-based payment schedule agreed in writing before any money moves, with each release tied to a specific, verifiable step (signed sale agreement, confirmed title transfer application, registered transfer). It is not a substitute for a licensed escrow account, and we say so plainly to every client — but it is a significant improvement on paying the full price upfront on trust alone, which remains common practice in parts of the market.

## Timelines at a glance

Transaction type | Typical timeline
--- | ---
Cash purchase, clean title | 3–6 weeks
Purchase requiring title correction | 2–4 months
Land purchase with subdivision | 2–6 months
Off-plan development unit | Tied to construction schedule
Standard rental agreement | 1–2 weeks

Ready to move forward? Browse properties, request a valuation, or go straight to contact us.

FAQ

## Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole process take?

A straightforward purchase with a title that's already clean can complete in 3-6 weeks from offer to transfer. Land parcels needing subdivision, or off-plan development purchases, take longer — we give you a realistic estimate once we know the specific property.

Do I need to travel to Rwanda to buy a property?

No. We regularly complete purchases for diaspora clients entirely remotely, using video walkthroughs, digital document review and a notarised power of attorney to sign on your behalf. Many clients do choose to visit before moving in, but it isn't required to complete the purchase.

What happens if the title verification finds a problem?

We tell you immediately, before any deposit is paid. Depending on the issue, that might mean renegotiating price, requesting the seller resolve it first, or walking away from the deal entirely. We would rather lose a commission than let a client buy a disputed title.

How do I pay if I'm sending money from abroad?

Most diaspora clients pay via international bank transfer to an escrow-style arrangement tied to transaction milestones, which we set out in writing before you send anything. We do not ask for full payment before you've seen the sale agreement and title documentation.

What do you need from me to start a sale as a seller?

A copy of your title documents, your ID, and basic details about the property (size, condition, any tenants in place). We'll use these for an initial valuation call before agreeing marketing and commission terms.

## Ready to start?

Tell us what you're looking for, or what you want to sell, and we'll walk you through the next step.

Contact Us