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Buying before it's built

# Off-Plan Property in Rwanda

Buying a unit before it exists means your protection comes entirely from documentation and developer track record — here's what to check before you reserve.

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

Off-plan buying — purchasing a unit in a development before, or during, construction — trades the ability to physically inspect a finished property for potentially lower entry pricing and, for diaspora buyers, a naturally remote-friendly process. It also concentrates the risk differently: almost entirely into documentation, developer credibility, and contract terms.

## The off-plan buying process

1. Review the project. Developer track record, land ownership evidence, and development approval status — see property development in Rwanda for what to check.
2. Reserve a unit. Typically against a reservation deposit, with terms (including refundability) confirmed in writing.
3. Sign the sale agreement. Specifying exact unit details, price, and a payment schedule tied to construction milestones.
4. Pay in stages. Released against verified progress, not a fixed calendar unrelated to actual construction.
5. Handover and title transfer. Confirm the finished unit matches the contracted specification before final payment and transfer.

## What to confirm before reserving

Item | Why it matters
--- | ---
Exact unit specification in writing | Protects you if the finished unit differs from marketing materials
Payment schedule tied to construction milestones | Reduces the risk of paying far ahead of actual progress
Developer's land ownership and approval status | Confirms the project has a legitimate legal foundation
Reservation deposit refund terms | Clarifies your position if you need to withdraw
Delivery timeline and delay remedies | Specifies what happens if the project runs late

## A real example: staged payment on a current listing

Our current Lakefront Villas listing at Lake Muhazi illustrates a construction-linked payment structure: 30% on signing, then four further instalments of 20%, 15% and 10% at three-month intervals, with a final 5% a month later. This kind of staged structure — payment following progress rather than preceding it — is what we look for when evaluating any off-plan opportunity on a client's behalf.

## Off-plan and diaspora buyers

Off-plan purchases are naturally suited to remote buying, since there's no finished building to inspect in person regardless of where you live — see buy property from abroad for how virtual verification and power of attorney apply here.

## Warranties and post-handover responsibility

Confirm in writing what the developer is responsible for after handover — structural defects, plumbing and electrical faults, and finishing issues discovered shortly after moving in are common points of dispute if the contract doesn't specify a defects-liability period. This is a standard inclusion in a well-drafted off-plan contract and worth asking for explicitly if it's missing from a draft you're reviewing.

## Due diligence still applies

Everything in our due diligence process applies to off-plan purchases, with added emphasis on developer and land verification rather than physical building condition. Request a review of a specific project before you reserve a unit.

FAQ

## Frequently Asked Questions

What is a reservation deposit, and is it refundable?

A reservation deposit secures a specific unit before a full sale agreement is signed. Refundability varies by developer and should be specified explicitly in writing before you pay — never assume it's refundable without confirming.

How much should I pay upfront on an off-plan purchase?

This varies by developer, but a payment schedule tied to construction milestones — rather than a large lump sum before groundbreaking — is the standard we recommend and the pattern reflected in the Lake Muhazi villa payment plan we currently work with.

What if the finished unit doesn't match what was marketed?

This is why the sale agreement should specify exact unit specifications (size, finishes, fixtures) in writing, not just rely on marketing renders. Confirm what recourse the contract gives you if there's a material discrepancy at handover.

Can I sell an off-plan unit before it's completed?

Sometimes, depending on the developer's contract terms — some allow assignment of the purchase agreement before completion, others restrict it. Confirm this explicitly before you buy if resale flexibility matters to you.

## Considering an off-plan reservation?

Send us the project details and payment schedule before you commit — we'll review it against the checklist below.

Request a Review