Real estate has seen the mushrooming of […]

Real estate has seen the mushrooming of gated communities, residential neighborhoods, or housing that is enclosed by a perimeter and features controlled access points.

Usually, large firms or individuals own the community at first but later allow for off-plan purchases before or during its construction, plots, and builds, in which customers can build a home using the estate’s pre-approved designs and buy an already completed and existing home. What is the value of buying from a gated community over a regular community?

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times—ZBT, Platinum Properties Director and Valuation Expert Christopher Mulenga observed that there is a slight difference in pricing between a gated one and a regular community-based home.

While recognizing that gated communities offer premium prices for services such as security and sometimes landscaping.

However, he observed that most Zambians prefer to develop or build their own house as opposed to gated ones.

 “There is more security; the location matters. From a Zambian perspective, people prefer to stay in their own house or yard; they are much used to their freedom, avoiding gated communities that restrict things like fencing.”

He highlighted that the only difference between a house in a gated community and one outside is the premium pricing that is attached. For instance, some houses in gated communities in Chalala and Meanwood trade at $140,000 and $49,500.

“The pricing is almost the same for those in gated communities; the owners tend to put a premium because

Article by Samuel Mutale