Why Considering Site Visits During Rainy Season is Crucial, Especially Now
Unless you’ve been out of social media, you’ve probably come across the popular meme asking why property companies are silent on site visit campaigns & advising potential land buyers to inspect properties during the rainy season. While the meme may seem lighthearted, the reality on the ground is far more serious than initially anticipated. As Kenya grapples with the challenges posed by flood deluge, our hearts go out to those affected by this natural disaster. It’s a reminder of the immense power of nature and the importance of being prepared for its unpredictable forces.
By now, it is a forgone conclusion that physically visiting that plot you intend to buy is an important part of the overall due-diligence process. But one often overlooked aspect of purchasing land is the timing of visits, particularly during the rainy season. While it may seem like an inconvenience to schedule visits when the weather is less than ideal, it can actually provide invaluable insights into the property you intend to purchase. Here’s why visiting land during the rainy season is so important:
1. Assessing Drainage and Flood Risk: Floods can wreak havoc on properties, causing damage that may not be immediately apparent during dry periods. Visiting land during the rainy season allows you to observe how water flows on and around the property. It provides an opportunity to identify any drainage issues or areas prone to flooding, allowing for informed decision-making.
2. Understanding Soil Stability: Heavy rainfall can reveal underlying soil stability issues that may impact the construction of buildings or infrastructure on the land. By visiting during the rainy season, you can assess how the soil behaves when saturated, helping gauge potential challenges and costs associated with development.
3. Observing Surrounding Environment: Floods don’t just affect individual properties; they can also impact entire neighborhoods and communities. Visiting land during the rainy season provides insight into how neighboring properties and infrastructure fare during adverse weather conditions. It’s an opportunity to evaluate the overall resilience of the area to flooding and other environmental risks.
4. Realistic Expectations: Seeing a property at its worst can temper expectations and prevent future disappointment, buyer remorse. By witnessing how the land performs during the rainy season, you can make more realistic assessments of its long-term suitability for their needs and mitigate the risk of encountering unexpected challenges down the line.
Why Nairobi is Prone to Flooding?
Nairobi is no stranger to flooding. Heavy rainfall, a natural consequence of the El Niño weather phenomenon, frequently overwhelms the city’s drainage systems. However, this isn’t the whole story. Clogged drains, choked by debris due to inadequate maintenance or increased runoff from growing paved surfaces, significantly exacerbate the issue. As Nairobi Metropolitan area continues to develop & expand, natural spaces that once absorbed rainwater are replaced by concrete and buildings, further intensifying surface runoff and straining the drainage capacity. This confluence of factors creates a perfect storm, leading to floods that devastate low-lying areas and informal settlements.
At Herencia, we have been fortunate given the fact that development is on a well-drained ground. Even so, the master planned community will have a robust drainage system throughout to handle storm water. As we navigate discussions about real estate and property acquisition, let’s remember to extend empathy and support to those affected by flooding. It’s a time to come together as a community, offering assistance and solidarity to those in need.
Authors Note: The views expressed herein belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the developer.
