The Value of Buying Early: The Roma Park Story
Property development is often a long-term investment. One of the clearest examples of the potential benefit of buying early can be seen in the story of Roma Park.
When we launched Roma Park in 2012, residential plots were selling from just US$28.50 per square metre. At the time, buyers were purchasing into a vision: the roads, landscaping, homes and community that define Roma Park today had yet to be fully established.
Fast-forward to 2026, and a recent residential plot sale at Roma Park achieved approximately US$200 per square metre.
That represents an increase of more than 600% on the original 2012 selling price — with the value per square metre now around seven times the original launch price.
Why Does Buying Early Matter?
In a new development, early buyers are typically purchasing before the full value of the infrastructure and surrounding development can be seen.
As roads are completed, services are installed, homes are constructed, landscaping matures and a community becomes established, the perceived risk associated with buying into a new development reduces. At the same time, the supply of available plots gradually decreases.
Roma Park provides a strong example of this process.
Those who bought during the early stages were able to secure land at prices that reflected the development at that point in its journey. As Roma Park matured into one of Lusaka's established residential and commercial developments, land values increased substantially.
From US$28.50/m² to US$200/m²
The numbers tell the story clearly:
2012 launch price: from US$28.50/m²
Recent sale: approximately US$200/m²
Increase: more than 600%
Value today: approximately 7× the original price
Of course, property values are influenced by many factors, and past performance does not guarantee that another development will experience the same level of appreciation.
But Roma Park demonstrates an important principle in property investment: there can be considerable value in identifying the right development and buying before it is fully established.
Applying the Lessons of Roma Park to Lion’s Hill Estate
Today, we are seeing another development move through this journey at Lion’s Hill Estate.
The roads and infrastructure are progressing, homes will follow, and over time the estate will develop its own established community and identity.
For prospective purchasers, the Roma Park story is a useful reminder: by the time a successful development is finished and everyone can see what it has become, the opportunity to buy at the early-stage price has usually passed.
Sometimes the greatest value lies in seeing the potential early.