Having successfully graduated from the noble Department of Land Economy of KNUST with a Bachelor’s Degree in Land Economy (BSc. LAND ECONOMY) in 2014, understanding and developing interest in the property market Industry begun from during our mandatory National Service days. That was when I was posted to serve under the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands(OASL)- Techiman Municipal and was attached to the Customary Lands Secretariat (CLS)under the Techiman Traditional Council.

I got the opportunity to better appreciate land acquisition and related matters within the Techiman Traditional Area and beyond from 2014 to 2017.

For the utmost survival of mankind, shelter cannot be overlooked and the provision of shelter begins with genuine acquisition of the land.

As far as the income streams of the working group are not the same, a percentage of the people will be landlords and the others whether we like it or yes, will be tenants.

There is always higher demand for housing units and the trends and strategies for providing those have been accepted by those living in the developed towns or cities through Agency.

As part of the core modules of Land Economy, we got to understand that in agency, there should be someone (Principal) appointing another (Agent) to act on his orders by either finding someone to make use of a space available in a property or asking for a need of space to be used or occupied.

Whichever relationship that may exist, at the end of a smooth execution of the orders, remuneration realised as commission is expected to be received by the agent from the appointing authority.

Agents play vital role in the property market either for a sale or purchase of a space or entire property for use (Sale as used here can be referred to as to dispose of outright or lease/offer for rent) hence they should not be downplayed because they;

– Guide the client through entire process

– have expert knowledge on pricing of properties

– know the neighbourhood they are working

– Provide necessary documents incidental to the transaction

– do all negotiations on behalf of the client

– know what will be for sale in the future within a particular vicinity

– offer flexibility

– are cost effective.

There has been a total change in preference for the type of accommodation people seek (with emphasis on Techiman) of late from normal single rooms (where you have the room itself and a verandah/porch sharing same sanitary facilities with your co-tenants) to what is described as the following;

– Single room Self-contained

– Chamber & hall Self-contained (One bedroom apartment)

– 2 and above bedrooms apartment.

Rent passing on such properties will not be similar because of the environment each of them is situated. As most of them are custom designed and built, others are renovated from existing buildings to meet up with the demand.

Most landlords are taking advantage over the high demand for these housing units and others are exploiting the would-be tenants in the name of finding them what they need in terms of accommodation. The sizes of some of the rooms are nothing to write home about. It is of no doubt that, investing in the provision of housing units pay a lot when the design and the expertise employed suits the idea behind such a construction considering the long term income generation motive hence should be built/provided to standard.

In most developing towns, one shouldn’t expect newly posted workers cutting across all sectors to be able to build or buy and live in their own houses within the shortest possible time. Automatically, they will have to live as tenants by renting other people’s residential facilities. As they come around, most do prefer places closer to their workplaces which most of the time is uncommon because, these workplaces are often located in the Central Business Districts (CBD’s) and these turn out to be old towns (settlements) and a bit noisy.

Having to live at distant areas and reporting to work on time wouldn’t have been a problem if the road networks are easily accessed and to be plied by all approved means of transportation. It is always a bit challenging living in remote areas where means of transportation is a problem but not impossible if you get your priorities straight and committed to the outfit you are discharging your mandate as a worker.

Where you consider as being far, someone is residing past you and you all will commute for work at similar areas.

Renting out or leasing a complete house with say a certain number of rooms with a common hall, kitchen, number of toilets and baths (self compound houses) is easy if you get a group of workers attached to a particular office or a family so we ask, how many people are in the capacity and able to go in for these self compound houses?

Understanding the trend and industry is key in taking vital decisions so as to help meet the requirements for providing comfortable housing for either yourself or to potential tenants irrespective of where you may find yourself as a developer.

In view of this, I urge all Land Economy, Real Estate and Estate Management graduates to try and do their best so we serve the people right in the Land Management Property Development market.

THANK YOU.

CEO – Raphael Agyapong Nuamah Kwadwo.

(RANK CONSULT-Techiman)

0247094651/0501378217