Peace Brings Big Changes to Kabul's Luxury Housing Market

2024-12-13

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1
  • The capital city of Kabul, Afghanistan, has seen big changes in its high-end housing market.
  • 2
  • Peace, it seems, is driving up property prices.
  • 3
  • Omidullah, a real estate agent, is selling a white-and-gold house with nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms in the Afghan capital.
  • 4
  • The house is on the market for $450,000, a surprising number in a country where more than half of the population depends on humanitarian aid to survive.
  • 5
  • Most Afghans do not have bank accounts.
  • 6
  • And it is rare to borrow money from banks to buy property.
  • 7
  • Yet the offers are coming in.
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  • "It's a myth that Afghans don't have money," Omidullah said.
  • 9
  • "We have very big businessmen who have big businesses abroad. There are houses here worth millions of dollars."
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  • People who spent years living and working abroad are returning home.
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  • They are drawn by the country's much-improved security and stability after years of war and destruction.
  • 12
  • Those returning include Afghans escaping deportation campaigns in Iran and Pakistan.
  • 13
  • Banks rarely have enough money for lending.
  • 14
  • So, Afghans buy properties with their own money or employ what is called "geerawi."
  • 15
  • It is when someone provides a fixed amount to a property owner in return for living in his place.
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  • And the person stays until the property owner returns the money.
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  • Before the Taliban takeover, people were afraid to invest in Kabul, said another real estate agent, Ghulam Mohammed Haqdoost.
  • 18
  • But the Taliban have created better conditions for the property market.
  • 19
  • The city is less violent since the Taliban changed from an insurgency to a government.
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  • Foreign forces left the country, although armored vehicles, checkpoints and military buildings remain common sights.
  • 21
  • The Taliban have promised to end corruption and establish order.
  • 22
  • That means no more dealing with militia chiefs or paying officials for land purchases or building projects.
  • 23
  • Haqdoost is happy with how easily and quickly things are getting done under the new administration.
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  • "House prices have risen by almost 40 percent," he said.
  • 25
  • "In the last three years, we have sold almost 400 properties. It wasn't like that before."
  • 26
  • Business is good for Haqdoost. He employs 1200 workers, including women who only deal with female buyers.
  • 27
  • Haqdoost said most purchasers bring their wives along because women often make decisions when it comes to real estate purchases - even in a nation that critics say oppresses women.
  • 28
  • "They decide whether to buy the house or not," he said.
  • 29
  • Afghans often host visiting friends or family in their homes.
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  • So wealthy buyers want houses with a garden, gym, swimming pool, rooms for visitors and at least one kitchen.
  • 31
  • Since most of Haqdoost's buyers are from overseas, their tastes are influencing the homes.
  • 32
  • They want houses with central heating, double-pane windows and elevators, and things like dining tables and beds.
  • 33
  • Kabul's population was around 500,000 in the year 2000.
  • 34
  • Now it is more than 5 million.
  • 35
  • To make Kabul more livable, city officials are busy building and repairing roads, putting in streetlights, planting trees and removing trash.
  • 36
  • They are also developing plans for less costly housing and increased home ownership.
  • 37
  • Just outside of Kabul, Arash Asad is trying to sell his uncle's property, which sits on around 4,000 square meters of land.
  • 38
  • He wants to sell the property for $800,000.
  • 39
  • "People think this country has no jobs and no economy," Asad said.
  • 40
  • "But Afghans have made their money, illegally or legally, over the years. You wouldn't believe it."
  • 41
  • I'm John Russell.