ACQUIRING A HOUSE

In the previous posts, the types of houses in Ghana and human need for housing were discussed. Today, the processes and channels involved in the acquisition of a house will be looked at. The discussion will touch on the financial aspect as well as the avenues to look at when one wants to rent.

First of all, it must be understood that, in Ghana and especially in Accra, the major determinant of acquiring a house is the price or how much one is willing to pay for accommodation.  The location also determines how much a prospective tenant will pay.

1.In modern Ghana, rent charges are categorized into two based on currencies. There are houses priced in United States Dollars and there are those priced in Ghana Cedis. Those priced in U.S Dollars are the modern or contemporary houses like the flats and luxurious houses.  These types are usually located in the conservative part of town. In Accra, Ghana, these houses are found in Cantonments, East Legon, Labone, Airport Residential, and Ridge.

The of house found in Labone

2.With acquiring finance for accommodation, one can consider loans and mortgages like the one provided by Ghana Homes Loans, personal savings and financial support from friends and families.

3. ASK, ASK AND ASK some more
When looking to rent, one channel to consider is asking.  Someone will know someone who has a place to let but you will never know until you ask. You can ask your friends if they happen to know place available to rent. Also with asking a friend, you might not just be asking one person but who range of people since your friend will discuss with a friend who may in turn discuss with a friend and the cycle will continue. You can ask people who you know acquired a new place just recently. They might have some suggestions you might find useful. The possibilities are endless. You might get you desired accommodation in no time and with less hassle. All you need to do is to just ask, it doesn’t cost a thing!

4. Use Technology

With the advent of technology, people  find life relatively easy today. Today you can use the internet to do anything and everything including finding accommodation.  When searching for accommodation, one of the channels to consider can be social networks such as Facebook. Facebook has become a very useful and powerful social tool. News posting on Facebook can help since people on one’s page are normally on other people’s page and this may get people help in your search for accommodation. Also there are many website on the internet one can search for suggestions and ideas. This method is relatively cheap as compared to others.

5. Read the Dailies

The media can also be also be used. Announcements or advertisement can be placed on the various media houses both the print and the broadcast. This method was used extensively in Ghana in the past but not so much so these days even though it is still effective.


6. Use the realtors
Real estate agencies and their correspondent agents are also helpful in acquiring accommodation. It is a trending method these days. Most people seek the help of agencies and agents in acquiring accommodation.  This method is very effective but involves a lot of cost. The will be tenant must pay a Finder’s fee  of ten per cent  of the total amount one will pay to the agent or agency on the acquisition of accommodation with the help of the agency or agent.

A police bungalow

7. Government officials like the police and army officers are usually provided with government bungalows. People can also build their own houses. This is a long term solution though. People can also move in to their family homes. The problem with this type of housing is that there is lack of privacy especially if the place also happens to be the resident of one’s extended family.

TYPES OF HOUSES

A house is a building or structure, enclosed by walls and covered, serving as a place of abode for human beings. The term signified a permanent habitation, usually occupied by a family.  These places of abode differ in structure all over the world.
  

In Ghana, housing can be grouped into three broad categories: the low-income, middle-income and high-income areas. The types of houses found in the various regions are determined by the weather conditions and other factors such as availability of resources, family size and most importantly wealth. For example in Accra, the low-income housing areas comprise Jamestown, Adedenkpo, Chorkor, La, Teshie, Nungua, Sukura, Kwashieman, Odorkor, Bubiashie, Abeka, Nima, Maamobi and Chorkor.  In the big cities, almost 80 percent of the population are renters. In the rural areas, people normally live in their extended family homes.

In the northern parts of Ghana, houses are built to suite the hot climate of the place which usually between 14°C at night and 40°C during the day. For this reason one can find the following types of houses there.

The “Sege” (Log and Grass House).

As the name implies the “Sege” consists mainly of logs with Y–shaped ends. These logs and beams measure about 20 cm dia. by 400 cm. They are placed slanting with the Y–shaped ends looking upwards.  Several of such logs are structured and for twigs used to fill up large gaps. When this is neatly knitted the grass is used in covering up the wooden–frame. The grass is put in three layers in such a way as to allow to drip off. The door of the “Sege” is nothing more than a neat hole measuring about 60 – 75 cm by 75 – 90 cm. To enter the “Sege” one has to stoop low. Even though it is very cool inside it is neither spacious nor constructed to last long thus not suitable for a large or growing family.

There is also the “Kampili” which is erected with well-seasoned mud to the height of about 270 cm to 300 cm and sticks are used for the framework and thatch for roof. It is relatively durable as compared to the sege yet it is very much like the sege in terms of accommodation. The material needed for these houses can easily be found in the vicinity.  These are examples of traditional structure which house families that are conservative in nature. They are dispersed in terms of layout and found in the rural areas. The big cities have housing structures similar to that of the southern part of the country.

 In the southern and central part of the Ghana, most structures are built of blocks or brick and are well layout and are durable. Of course there are exceptions to the case as in places like Nima, Sodom and Gomorrah  just to mention but a few. The structures are temporal and mostly made of wood and follow no particular arrangement.

However, if looking to rent in the southern part of Ghana, depending on one’s family, social and economic disposition, you may decide on an apartment. There from 1 to about 5 bedroom apartments, sometime comes with gym facilities, health club centre and a standby generator. There are apartments in places considered to posh. For instance, apartments are found in Cantonments, Airport residential, Labone estate, Spintex,Ridge,Kanda and those scattered around the city. This kind of housing house about 50% of the city population.

Compound house is the named used to describe a house serving as a home to several household. The spacious that was found in the middle of house of the early type of this form of housing played a part in naming this type of house. The large space served as a playing ground for children from the various families and also a play where the women did their house chores. It is the traditional form of modern flats.

  

Single room self- contain is the term used to describe a single room accommodation with kitchen, toilet and bathroom enclosed. It is ideal for singles or young couples with no kids and sometimes students.

There is also what is known in Ghana as ‘chamber and hall’. It is similar to the single room self-contain but unlike the former this one has a hall. It is suitable for young couples with or without young kids, singles and students.

A detached house is on that the building does not share an inside wall with any other house or dwelling. It has only outside walls and does not touch any other dwelling. It is ideal for families seeking the privacy and comfort of an enclosed environment. It also serve as the resident for chief executives of organistions.

There are also the luxury homes. They are usual owned or rented by the economically sound. These luxury houses have a range of facilities as massive swimming state of the art furnishing, Jacuzzis.

There is also the type of housing for the squatters. People with no permanent homes take over uncompleted and abandoned houses or a neglected land and build aluminum and wood structures on these lands to live in. These types of houses are however against the laws of the land.