How to Choose a Ghanaian Architect for Your Building Project in Ghana

The Value of a Professional Architect

An architect with the appropriate credentials in licensing and education will be an invaluable addition to every building project. The architect is able to provide you with a house plan which accommodates your desires while in accordance with the local building regulations. When building in Ghana, it will be a good idea to hire a Ghanaian architect.

Because of the growing movement towards urbanization in Ghana, there is a lot of opportunity for a new generation of talented architects to create house plans that reflect the heritage and cultural identity of Africa, according to the Ghana Institute of Architects.  The incoming generation of architects in Ghana has much to offer those individuals who are interested in building in Africa.

Questions To Ask The Potential Ghanaian Architects

• What type of experience does the architect have? You want the reassurance that comes from knowing that the architect has designed the type of building that you have in mind.
• How involved will the architect be throughout your project? Some architects will provide their continued assistance throughout each stage of the building, including help with documents, bids and working with the contractor.
• Ask to see examples of some designs that the architect has created and if you can see any completed projects.
• Which services are covered in the architects’ fees? Sometimes the architect will work with other professionals and those consultations may be billed separately.
• Always ask about the architects’ licensing and insurance coverage. The architect should have professional liability insurance. It won’t be out of line to ask to see the paperwork.

An Established Firm in the Area

By choosing an established Ghanaian architectural firm who understands the building climate in Ghana, you can enjoy a new home that reflects the heritage of the African nation. Ghana Homes Group has the experience to provide this perspective. They are globally experienced and are the best architectural firm to create  the dream homes desired by Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians, both locally and within the diaspora.

How To Take Charge Of Your Construction Project In Ghana

Since scams are common if you live outside while a project is being completed in Ghana, there are ways to take charge of the project and avoid some of these potential problems. You must first be present in the process. This does not mean physically per say, but at least being on the phone and in contact with the people working on the project on a regular basis.

Checking In

If you can make at least one or more trips to Ghana, it would be in your best interest to do so. This can save you a lot of money and disappointment in the future. By checking in on things, you are ensuring that the right people are working on your project and completing it as expected. You can be there in person to have questions answered. This is the best way to avoid a scam happening at your expense.

Knowledge

You should go into the project with all the knowledge you can. This means knowing what kind of house plan, building material to use, cost, labor, scams that can happen to you, etc.  Scams can include lying about the cost of materials, completion of the project or asking for more money than what was expected. If you are naive in thinking a scam cannot happen to you, then you are setting yourself up to get taken advantage of. With the right preparation, you can take charge of the project and see it through.

Your Role

It is important to play an active role in the project. You should be involved and take charge with decisions. The people involved should know that you mean business and that taking advantage of you is not an option. If you look to be easy prey, then you run the risk of being scammed. Do not stand by waiting for the project to be completed. Make phone calls, visit the area and keep in regular contact with everyone that is part of the project.  This could really pay off both short-term and long-term.

Leave a comment below. What’s your construction project story?

Building a House in Ghana Using a Family Member? 5 Lies Relatives Like to Tell

Over the years, we have received emails and phone calls about how relatives have wasted money sent to Ghana specifically for building a dream home. Most of these writers and callers’ funds were misused or the home that was built did not make sense—poorly built, substandard or not completed as they were told.

It may seem like a good idea to use a relative to handle arrangements when you want to build a house in Ghana. However, it is important to remember that scams from within Ghana are increasing and the criminals are becoming very intelligent about avoiding detection until it is too late. If you have recently entered into an arrangement with a relative, a friend or are considering doing so, watch out for these five common ways that you can become the victim in a scam.

1. “Everything looks good!”

One popular building scam in Ghana is to consistently reassure the absent homeowner that everything is going ahead as planned. However, the photos of construction progress are actually from someone else project that doesn’t have anything to do with your home. One scammer who used this tactics to rip-off his relative overseas recently hanged himself due a pending court case and the likelihood that he was going to do hard times in prison.

2. Lies, Lies, Lies

Another scam that is hard to recognize until it’s too late involves the quick spending of your money for the relative’s personal needs and he or she hoping to pay it back as soon as possible. Along the way, the scammer continues to feed you believable lies until it is simply too late to regain your money.

3. “Send more money!”

International awareness of the rise of crime in Ghana is ironically working in favor of some scammers. Your relatives tell you that they are being faced with litigation claims and need more money in order to go to court or hire guards to protect the property and construction supplies.

4. “Building supplies are expensive here.”

This scam involves inflating the prices when talking to you while pocketing the rest. This scam can be difficult to recognize; you may never be able to recoup your lost money.

5. Substandard Supplies and Lack of Documents

The relatives handling your project may choose substandard materials in order to pocket some money or they may fail to obtain the necessary documents required for construction. According to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, you can be held accountable by the Ghanaian authorities, even if you were completely unaware that laws had been broken and the authorities could demolish your building.

Protect Your Investment

You must take steps to protect your investment. Instead of relying on relatives, enlist the assistance of a professional, such as Ghana Homes Group, to handle the details of your international construction.

 

How to Get a Loan to Build or Buy Your Dream Home in Ghana

Making a Real Estate Investment in Ghana

Ghana is one of the most beautiful countries on the African continent and as a result, many people are eager to call it home.  As a result, people are choosing to built or buy a new home there.  Purchasing and developing real estate is one of the best financial moves you can make; land is one of the most secure investments of all and is virtually guaranteed to yield long-term returns.  Buying or building the home you want to live in will require a significant amount of initial capital and most people don’t have that money immediately available; you will probably find it necessary to take out a loan.  If you are curious about a Ghana Homes Loan, financial and real estate experts have some advice just for you.

Finding Reputable Loan Officers in Ghana

You need to be certain that the bank you get a loan from will honor the contract you sign with them and will provide you with the money they’ve promised.  Contract fraud is unfortunately one of the most common scams in Ghana and people from other countries are often targets.  Foreigners are specifically targeted for contract and loan fraud because they are perceived as being unlikely to be familiar with the country and its legal and banking system.  If you are already a member of an established bank in your country of origin, ask if they have any branches in operation in Ghana or have any partner institutions that offer home loans.  You might discover that your preferred bank call tell you everything you need to successfully qualify for a Ghana Homes Loan.

Local Organizations in Ghana

If your preferred bank doesn’t have any branch offices in Ghana, consider contacting the Ghana Homes Group Developers.  Ghana Homes is an organization made up of real estate developers and similar professionals.  They have partnered with builders and sellers to create a network of trustworthy businesses. You can contact them to ask questions about the laws and regulations related to applying for a Ghana Homes Loan. 
Buying or building a home for yourself in Ghana is an opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up, but don’t be afraid to make sure it’s done right.  Ask people you trust for recommendations; do plenty of research to make sure that you are choosing a reputable lender.

 

The Zen of Building Your House in Ghana with Limited Money

The Ghana Real Estate Market

The country of Ghana currently has one of the most attractive international real estate markets.  It has grown rapidly over the past several years, and it will only continue to grow.  According to global research leaders, the world will have approximately three billion new people looking for housing by the year 2030.  This means that by that year, there will be a demand for nearly 100,000 new housing units almost every day.  For countries like Ghana, where the population growth is much higher than other places in the world, this statistic is especially meaningful.

The current expanding real estate market in Ghana allows you to build large homes and commercial properties for less money than you would pay elsewhere, and experts believe that the value of such investments will only increase with time.  Building your dream home with limited money has never been easier with the Ghana real estate market. 

Getting Started

There are many ways to go about building a home in Ghana, but one of the easiest and most efficient ways to get the job done is to work with the Ghana Homes Group.  This unique organization can provide you with everything you need to build your dream home in Ghana.  They have real estate agents to help you find land available for purchase, land lawyers to help you obtain the right building permits, and endless resources to help you find the right builders and contractors to complete your home the way you want it. 

Their experienced employees know their way around Ghana’s real estate market, and they are very willing to use their expertise to help you achieve your building goals in a fast and satisfactory manner.  If you are interesting in purchasing real estate and building a home in Ghana with limited money, let the Ghana Homes Group give you the peace of mind you are looking for. 

Warning: The City Authorities in Ghana Can Put a Stop to Your Construction Project

The Growth of Ghana’s Real Estate Industry

The real estate industry in Ghana is growing at a very rapid rate.  It has been increasing very quickly in recent years, and it will only continue to grow.  According to global research, there will be a demand for nearly 100,000 new housing units around the world each day by the year 2030.  This information is especially applicable in countries like Ghana, where the population is growing much faster than it is in other places in the world.  This increased growth in the country’s real estate industry has encouraged many investors and homeowners to purchase property in Ghana.  Buying real estate or building a home in Ghana can be a great opportunity, but there are several things you should know before you jump into a construction project. 

Completing the Paperwork

When you initially purchase land in Ghana, there are several steps you need to take in order to ensure that your investment is protected.  Going through the right legal steps to obtain your land is an important part of the development process.  The first thing you need to do is determine what type of land you want to buy and where it is located.  The Ghana Homes Group can help you find land that is available for legal purchase and can be owned privately.  They can help you perform a title search to make sure the land is not publicly owned, and they can also assist you in filling out applications for the right government agencies. 

Getting a Real Estate Lawyer in Ghana

Another tip is to make sure you use the services of a real estate lawyer when you are purchasing real estate in Ghana.  There have been many reported cases of a single piece of land being sold to several different buyers by scam artists.  This type of scam usually results in a loss of time and money, so it is important to avoid such problems.  The best way to do this is to hire a reputable land lawyer, such as the ones offered by the Ghana Homes Group.  If you want to make sure your construction projects won’t be halted by the city authorities in Ghana, the land lawyers at the Ghana Homes Group can help.

The Shocking Truth About Housing Demand in Ghana

Ghana’s Rapid Real Estate Growth

Ghana is a country where the real estate industry is growing more and more each day at a very rapid rate. The country’s residential market has enjoyed the greatest demand of any property segment. A rapidly growing middle-class and urbanization pressures, especially within the Accra-Tema metropolis, have generated enormous housing demand.

Lately, study has also revealed that there has been an ever-increasing presence of new buyers of real estate in Ghana due to Ghana’s new and emerging favorable international image and the growing oil industry. The demand for luxury homes is also affected by the influx of investors. This is evidenced by reports from real estate companies in Ghana having purchases of their luxury homes over subscribed even before construction is completed. Statistics from Bank of Ghana also show phenomenal increases in foreign direct investments (FDI) and foreign monetary transfers into the Ghanaian economy over the past 10 years.

Global demand for housing

The global demand for housing has increased exponentially over the past few years, and researchers claim that it will only continue to grow as time goes on.  According to a leading research, approximately three billion more people will require housing around the world by the year 2030.  This means that by that year, there will be a demand for nearly 100,000 new housing units each day.  These numbers are especially relevant in rapidly growing countries such as Ghana, where the population is increasing at one of the fastest rates in the world. 

What This Means for You

The rapidly growing real estate industry in Ghana provides excellent opportunities for investors and homeowners interested in purchasing real estate.  The current economic situation in Ghana allows you to purchase larger homes for less money than you would pay in other places, and it also allows for potentially large gains when you invest in Ghana real estate due to the expected increase in the country’s housing demand.  There has never been a better opportunity for buying real estate in Ghana. 

How Ghana Homes Group Can Help

If you are interested in buying real estate in Ghana, the Ghana Homes Group is an excellent resource available to help you.  If you are looking to purchase land or invest in housing, they can assist you in the legal processes of buying a property.  Also, if you are interested in building your dream home in Ghana, the Ghana Homes Group can help you obtain house plan, the permits, contractors, and other resources you will need to get the job done in a satisfactory manner.  When searching for real estate in Ghana, let the Ghana Homes Group make the process a little easier.