Last reviewed: 29 July 2026
The most expensive mistakes often happen before deposit
Review Nairobi property before paying a deposit or reservation fee by checking documents, seller or developer authority, payment instructions, refund terms and buyer risk.
Before deposit is the stage where interest turns into exposure. A buyer may feel urgency because a unit is being held, a discount is ending or another buyer is supposedly waiting.
This review helps slow that moment down. The goal is to check what is known, what is missing, who should receive money, what refund terms apply and whether the buyer has enough evidence to proceed.
A deposit should follow clarity
If documents, payment route, seller authority, refund terms or unit details are unclear, the buyer should ask more before sending money.
Pressure is not proof
Urgency from an agent, seller or developer does not replace document review, payment confirmation or buyer-side comparison.
The next step can be pause
Sometimes the safest decision is not yes or no. It is to request documents, compare alternatives or involve an advocate before payment.
Buyer Fit
Buyer Profiles This Advisory Fits
Match the advisory route to the buyer situation first. A comparison review, before-deposit review, off-plan review and international buying review should not ask the buyer to make the same decisions.Process
How the review works
Share the deposit situation
Tell us the property, requested amount, payment deadline, who asked for payment and what documents you have received.
Check the commitment points
We organise the key questions around documents, seller or developer authority, payment instructions, refund terms, price logic and buyer risk.
Decide what to request before paying
You get a practical list of evidence, documents and questions to resolve before deposit, reservation fee or further commitment.
What to check before deposit
Deposit review is not about creating panic. It is about making sure the buyer does not move money while basic ownership, payment, agreement or property questions remain vague.
- Property documents and current availability.
- Seller, agent or developer authority to request payment.
- Payment account, proof trail and confirmation process.
- Reservation terms, refund rules and what the deposit secures.
- Draft agreement, offer terms or next legal step.
- Price comparison, service charge, management and resale concerns.
When this review matters most
Use this page when someone is asking you to pay quickly, when you have not seen documents, when payment instructions changed, when buying remotely, when reserving off-plan property or when the property feels attractive but the process feels rushed.
This does not replace your advocate. It helps you know what to ask before your advocate or representative reviews the transaction.
Buyer Questions
What should I check before paying a property deposit?
Check property documents, seller or developer authority, payment instructions, refund terms, what the deposit secures, draft terms and whether your advocate should review anything first.
Should I pay if the seller says another buyer is waiting?
Urgency should not replace verification. If pressure increases, the buyer should request clearer documents, payment instructions and terms before sending money.
Is a reservation fee the same as a deposit?
Not always. Buyers should confirm what the payment secures, whether it is refundable, how long the reservation lasts and what happens if documents or legal review are not satisfactory.