A journey from the late 80's in Africa till now

Real estate is often seen as one of the most reliable ways to build wealth, but for many of us, the journey into property ownership starts later than it probably should. In my case, I had always been aware of real estate as an investment vehicle—especially during my time living in New York on a high salary. The thought was there, but like many in their 20s, I believed I had time. I kept pushing it back, assuming there was no rush. That changed in my early 30s.

An Unexpected Introduction to Property Ownership

It wasn’t a carefully crafted plan that led me to my first property. Instead, it was almost spontaneous. During a trip to Kenya, I came across an Instagram ad for a real estate development not too far from the hotel I was staying in. Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to visit and see what it was about. That visit set things in motion in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

What Motivated Me to Buy My First Property

At its core, I think my motivation stemmed from the sense of owning something tangible. Coming from a finance background, wealth creation and preservation were always on my mind, and real estate stood out as one of the most solid paths to generational wealth. You can plan these things endlessly, but at some point, you just have to take action. Some people inherit wealth, some never have the chance, and for the rest of us, it’s something we build during our lifetime. The earlier we start, the better. And so, while maintaining residency in Europe, my first-ever real estate purchase happened in Africa—Kenya, to be specific.

Lessons Learned: The Key Considerations

Buying my first property taught me several critical lessons, most of which I had read about but only truly understood once I experienced them firsthand:

• The “Why?” – Having a Clear Objective: What is the end goal? Investment? A place to live? Passive income? Answering this helps guide every other decision.
• The “Where?” – Location, Location, Location: This is the golden rule of real estate. The right location impacts everything from property value appreciation to rental demand.
• The “How?” – Budgeting & Financing: Understanding financing options, loan structures, and cash flow implications is crucial. Can you afford it now, and do the financing terms make sense for your long-term plans?
• The “When?” – Timing Matters: While no one can time the market perfectly, assessing whether it makes sense to buy now versus waiting can make all the difference.

I’ll be diving deeper into these topics in future blog posts, as each deserves its own discussion.

How Real Estate Shifted My Investment Mindset

Real estate is a long-term game. It’s also a highly illiquid asset, meaning you shouldn’t expect immediate returns. If you’re looking for quick gains, you’re likely in the wrong type asset class. Buying my first property forced me to think differently about investment strategies. It led me to learn about financing schemes, tax and estate planning, and even business models like property management, short-term vs. long-term rentals, and hospitality ventures.

This journey has been an eye-opener, and while I’m still learning, I now see real estate as more than just property ownership—it’s a strategic financial tool. Stay tuned for more insights as I continue exploring this space!