Condominuims And Gated Communties: An Investigation Of The Attributes Influencing Buying Decions: A Case Of Dar Es Salaam

The ultimate aim of the study was to investigate an emerging trend of home buying amongst individuals in Tanzania from commercial real estate developers “What attributes influences their decision in to purchase or not to purchase housing units?” The study adopts both a quantitative and qualitative case study approach focusing on the condominium and gated communities in Dar es Salaam. The data collection methods used in the research includes a self-administered questionnaire to 200 home owners and prospective buyers. It was developed by using attributes in theories but only those that applied to Tanzanian content as verified by interviews carried out prior to the survey. Data collected were analysed by using a multiple linear regression model in SPSS, the interpretation has developed a ranking of criteria that people prefer when purchasing houses. The availability of buyers of the condominiums that were sold on pre-sale arrangement was a challenge, but this was well addressed.The findings of the study revealed that location, demographic variables notably income level, the family size, occupation, investments purposes, chaos of incremental construction, and developers have significantly influenced housing purchase decisions. Whereas factors like price against quality, and means of housing finance negatively influenced housing purchase decisions.The study implies to develop a guideline to assist buyers in making house purchase decisions. At the same time, the finding forms a feedback to developers on customers’ preferences in order to diverse strategies to improve their products, increase their market share, and to enjoy medium to long term returns. The study shall also enlighten and lay a platform to the government in developing more appropriate housing policies to curb the housing problem.