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Buying Property

# How to Sell a Property in Rwanda: Complete Guide

By Kigali Yacu Property Research Team · Published 23 September 2021 ·Updated 23 September 2021 · 4 min read

Selling a property in Rwanda well comes down to three things: an honestly calculated price, a title that's confirmed clean before marketing starts, and marketing that actually reaches serious buyers rather than just casual browsers. Skip any of these and you risk a property that sits unsold, or sells for less than it should.

## Step 1: Get a realistic valuation

Overpricing is the single most common reason a Kigali property sits unsold for months. Buyers — especially diaspora buyers comparing listings across agencies — notice quickly when a price is disconnected from comparable recent sales. See our property valuation service, which is based on genuinely comparable sales rather than an optimistic guess designed to win your listing.

## Step 2: Confirm your documentation

Before marketing starts, confirm your title is fully in order — registered owner matches your name, no unresolved disputes, and any structures on the property have appropriate documentation. Discovering a title problem after you've found a buyer is far more damaging to a sale than catching and resolving it upfront. See property due diligence for what this check covers.

## Step 3: Prepare the property and market it properly

A basic listing with a few phone photos does not compete when serious buyers are comparing multiple options before committing to a viewing. At minimum:

1. Professional photography covering every room and the exterior, not just the best angle.
2. A complete written description — accurate specifications, not vague marketing language.
3. Video walkthrough, particularly important if you expect diaspora buyer interest.
4. Distribution beyond a single listing site — our network includes both local and diaspora buyer channels.

See how professional photography helps sell your house for more on why this specific investment matters.

## Step 4: Manage viewings and offers

Respond to enquiries quickly and consistently — a slow response is a common reason serious buyers move on to another listing. When offers come in, evaluate them on more than just headline price: financing certainty and timeline matter, particularly if you have your own timeline pressure.

## Step 5: Negotiate and close

Once you've accepted an offer, the sale agreement should specify exact terms, a payment schedule tied to milestones, and remedies if either side doesn't follow through — see sale agreement review. Closing involves registered transfer with a notary.

## Common seller mistakes that cost money

- Pricing based on what you need, not what the market supports. Your mortgage balance or financial goal isn't relevant to a buyer — comparable sales are.
- Marketing before documentation is ready. A buyer who falls in love with a property and then discovers a title problem mid-negotiation often walks away entirely, even if the issue is resolvable.
- Accepting the first offer without comparing terms. A slightly lower offer with stronger financing certainty and a faster timeline can be worth more than a higher offer that's likely to fall through.
- Going silent on enquiries. Slow responses lose serious buyers to other listings, particularly diaspora buyers juggling timezone differences who need responsiveness to keep momentum.

## Selling land versus selling a house

Selling land follows the same core process but leans even more heavily on documentation, since there's no structure to help a buyer feel confident about the purchase — a verified, dispute-free title matters even more to a land buyer's decision than it does to a house buyer who can also inspect physical condition directly.

## A seller's checklist

- [ ] Realistic valuation obtained
- [ ] Title documentation confirmed clean
- [ ] Professional photos and a complete listing prepared
- [ ] Marketing reaches both local and diaspora buyers
- [ ] Offers evaluated on more than price alone
- [ ] Sale agreement reviewed before signing
- [ ] Registered transfer completed with a notary

## Selling to a diaspora buyer

If your likely buyer is based abroad, expect more video calls and a payment structure that reassures someone who can't personally inspect the property before paying. See buy property from abroad for what that looks like from the buyer's side, which shapes what you should prepare as the seller.

## Selling with a sitting tenant

If your property is currently rented, disclose this clearly in marketing — some buyers specifically want an income-producing property with a tenant in place, while others want vacant possession and will factor lease timing into their offer. Trying to hide an existing tenancy from prospective buyers tends to surface during due diligence anyway and damages trust in the negotiation.

## How Kigali Yacu Property helps

We handle the entire process above — valuation, documentation check, marketing, negotiation and closing — as part of our sell property service.

Ready to start? Request a free valuation or list your property directly.

## Frequently Asked Questions

What's the first step to selling a property in Rwanda?

Get a realistic valuation based on comparable recent sales before you decide on a listing price. Pricing too high is the most common reason a property sits unsold for months.

Do I need my title documents ready before I start selling?

Yes — confirming your title is in order should happen before marketing starts, not after you've already found a buyer. An unresolved title issue discovered mid-negotiation can cost you the sale.

How long does it take to sell a property in Rwanda?

It varies significantly with price positioning and property type — realistically priced houses and apartments in established neighbourhoods generally sell faster than land or overpriced listings. See our dedicated guide on how long it takes to sell for a fuller breakdown.

Can I sell my property to a diaspora buyer?

Yes, and it's increasingly common — diaspora buyers make up a meaningful share of Kigali's serious buyer pool. Marketing that includes dual-currency pricing and video walkthroughs reaches this audience specifically.

How much commission do agents charge to sell property in Rwanda?

This varies by agency and is typically a percentage of the final sale price, agreed upfront before marketing begins. Always confirm the rate and what it includes before signing an agreement.

## Ready to sell?

Start with a free, honest valuation — no obligation to list with us afterward.

Get a Free Valuation
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