A major problem a potential real estate investor will face is how to raise enough money to acquire for a start a plot (not to talk of building a house).
Let us take one at a time. Let me address the problem of acquiring your plot(s). This was exactly the problem that stirred on my face when I took thee decision to diversify to this asset class.
I addressed the problem from two angles :-

(i) I subscribed to titled plots in an organised estate with installmental payment plan. The highest I have paid for a plot is 50% down payment. Balance is negotiated at agreed terms.

(ii) I Sold some stocks to position for plots, invariable I reduced my financial holdings in stocks to diversify into real estate. Luckily for me my overseas (outside Africa) portfolio is purely for speculation, I repartriated some funds from my broking account (peridically when I make gains) to finance my new real estate positions. My portfolio in African countries (except in Nigeria) remain intact as they are for long term.
Due to some financial pressure I had to sale off a large chunk of my portfolio in my local bourse Nigerian Stock Exchange to buy back at a future date because in stocks if you miss a bus you can always join later but in real estate, opportunity missed cannot be regained.

(iii) I set aside part of my salary to finance the acquisition of plots.

For a middle class Kenyan my advise is as follows :-
Since all your focus is in Nairobi bourse :-

(i) Have two stock portfolios, for speculative and long term holdings :-

(ii) When you make gains in speculative portfolio,
convert them and invest in real estate. It is a question of using what you have to get what you need.


To develop your plot, let me quote one Mzee a successful real estate investor and somebody that is adverse to mortgage loans like me said , it is not a matter of finance (money) but of will power, it is easier to develop your property than acquire land, as building a house can be done at your pace quite unlike acquiring a plot.

I think it is also important that you do not develop a strong attachment to the property you hold. If you are making a decent return then sell your property and go looking for another one whose potential has not been realized by the market.

I have a personal rule that money you get from selling property should always go back into property.