Monday, February 18, 2013

7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a House Plan for Your Dream Home in Ghana

7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a House Plan for Your Dream Home in Ghana

It can take years to save up enough money to build your dream home in Ghana—some people save for 10 years or more! After waiting this long, you may be in a hurry to get things started and choose a house plan without really thinking every aspect of the home through. Instead, take your time and take these factors into consideration when choosing a floor plan.

  1. Are the bedrooms grouped or separated? If you have young children you probably don’t want a floor plan with the master bedroom on one side of the home and the other bedrooms on the other side of the home.
  2. Is there enough space? You want to make sure that your existing furniture will fit. Also, if you have a large extended family that will frequently gathering in your home the size and openness of the common living space is an important factor.
  3. Can you afford the cost of construction? Bigger isn’t always better. Many people do not realize just how expensive raw materials and labor can be. According to a report titled The Housing Market in Ghana published by the Bank of Ghana, the average prices of new construction homes are:
    • One Bedroom: 33,145.00 Ghana Cedi (17,500 US Dollars)
    • Two Bedroom: 41,668.00 – 48,297.00 Ghana Cedi (22,000 – 25,500 US Dollars)
    • Three Bedroom: 60,608.00 – 68,184.00 Ghana Cedi (32,000 – 36,000 US Dollars)
  4. Can the house plan be modified? House plans that are expandable offer you more flexibility if your needs change in the future.
  5. Is the house plan engineered correctly? Once you submit your building permit application and floor plans to the Ghana Land Commission, it can take up to 3 months for approval. You want to make sure that the plans are engineered correctly so that you can obtain a permit without further delay.
  6. Do any areas of the home need to be handicap accessible? If so, you want to choose a floor plan without stairs. The doorways and hallways may also need to be wider.
  7. Is outdoor space important to you? An outdoor leisure space such as a covered porch can expand the usable square footage of your home and make it more enjoyable.
For more tips and advice visit Ghana House Plans. They employ the best local architects in the business and can create the perfect floor plan for your dream home in Ghana.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Why A Residential Building Permit In Ghana Is Necessary


The recent collapse of a shopping mall in Accra has brought a lot of attention to building permits in Ghana. It was determined that the building collapsed because the foundation was not strong enough and the deadly disaster could have been averted if the developer had obtained the necessary permits. Yet, many landowners are still circumventing the law. According to a survey conducted by the Physical Planning Department of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis approximately 36 percent of the buildings in the area were built without obtaining the necessary permits. Ebenezer Dadzie Pantsi, head of the PPD has been cautioning developers to heed building codes and urged local authorities across the country to better educate landowners on the importance of permits.

Purpose Of Permits

Building permits are not designed to make it harder or more expensive to build a home in Ghana. The purpose is simply to strengthen the buildings and prevent disasters such as the mall collapse. Once a building permit is obtained, various governmental agencies see to it that the building is structurally safe. Some of the key elements in the process are:
  • Architectural and engineering design for approval from the Accra Metropolitan Authority
  • Fire protection opinion from the Fire Department
  • Inspections at the end of each phase of construction (foundation, floor level, rafters, roof, etc.) by the Building Inspectorate

Consequences of Building Without A Permit

The consequences of building without a permit can be quite costly. They may range from a monetary fine to the complete demolition of the home by local authorities and loss of investment. Modern Ghana reported that in 2011 more than 500 homes without building permits were demolished around the Weija Dam to prevent it from collapsing from unauthorized building encroachments. The financial loss of having your home demolished pales in comparison to other consequences of building without a permit—the loss of human lives.

Help With The Permit Process

The permit process can be difficult those who are unfamiliar with the local laws and regulations—especially foreign investors. Working with professionals such as the Ghana Homes Group can make the entire building process easier. They can help you choose a house plan that will be approved by the Accra Metropolitan Authority, prove that you legally own the land you intend to build on and submit an application to the Land commission.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Is It Time To Invest In Ghana Real Estate?


If you are looking for foreign investment opportunities, you may want to consider investing in Ghana real estate. The country has shown tremendous signs of political stability and economic growth in recent years, making it a good time to invest in Ghana. In fact, in a 2009 White House Press Release, President Barack Obama stated that, “…far too often discussions of Africa are focused on crisis. Ghana is not in crisis, and it's an example for the region and more broadly.”

Ghana's Growth

According to the world economic growth charts, Ghana’s GDP grew by 14.4 percent in 2011. This was largely due to new oil production and construction projects. While the 2013 estimates for economic growth are a bit more modest at 7.5 percent, the country’s economy is steadily growing. Ghana is listed in Stage 1 of the 2012-13 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum and is expected to sustain its competitiveness. The country has demonstrated more than 25 years of sound management. Another sign of Ghana’s tremendous economic growth is that World Bank recently upgraded Ghana’s economic classification from low-income to a lower middle-income status.

Ghana Residential Real Estate

Despite the shift in economic status, there still aren’t many housing opportunities for middle income families. Those who have chosen to invest in Ghana have primarily focused on upper class residences and neglected the growing demand for affordable, middle class residences. The local real estate industry needs investors to help finance medium scale projects for middle-income projects.

Commercial Real Estate

Demand for commercial real estate is also high. Retail occupancy rates are hovering right around 100 percent. Many international retailers have recently opened up shop in Ghana, including:
  • Shoprite
  • KFC
  • Woolworths
  • Bata
  • Deli France
With the success of these companies, it is expected that more American and European retailers will soon follow.

Investment Opportunities

It is time to invest in Ghana real estate. The lucrative investment opportunities are limitless. The demand is high for both residential and commercial projects. Investing in either type of real estate, however, requires in-depth knowledge of the building laws and local industry; experience is essential to the success of investments. Ghana Homes Group has that experience. For nearly a decade, the esteemed company has been bringing foreign investors and developers together with local engineers and architects to complete quality projects throughout the country.

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