Last updated: June 2026
The live-part-time, earn-the-rest strategy means buying an Accra apartment, blocking the dates you want to use it, and short-letting it the rest of the year for income. It blends a home in Accra whenever you visit with rental returns from the months it would otherwise sit empty. Short-letting suits it best, and a co-host can run the lettings while you are away.
Many diaspora buyers want two things at once: a base in Accra for visits, and a return on the money they put in. This hybrid strategy gives both. This article explains how it works, what it earns, and how to run it from abroad. It draws on our short-let versus long-let comparison.
The model
You own the apartment, reserve the weeks or months you want for yourself, and let it the rest of the time. It sits between a pure rental investment, which earns most but offers no personal use, and a holiday home, which is always available but only ever costs you money.
| Approach | Lifestyle | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Live part-time, earn the rest | A home ready whenever you visit | Rental income from the months you are away |
| Pure rental investment | No personal use | Maximum income |
| Pure holiday home | Always available to you | No income; carrying costs only |
The appeal is that the income offsets the cost of having a home in Accra. Instead of a property that drains money while you are away, you have one that earns.
How it works in practice
Set up the unit as a short let, then block your own dates in the calendar and open the rest for bookings. When you plan a trip home, you reserve those dates in advance; the remaining nights earn. A co-host manages the bookings and turnovers around your schedule.
The mechanics are the same as any short let, so the operational guide in running a short let: occupancy and pricing applies directly here.
Why short-let suits it
Short-letting gives the flexibility the strategy needs: you can block your own dates around bookings rather than committing the unit to one tenant for a fixed term. A long let would lock the apartment to a tenant and remove the personal-use flexibility that makes this work.
The trade-off is that short lets need more management, which is why a co-host is the usual answer for diaspora owners running this from another country.
A home in Accra that earns
Imaani apartments suit the live-part-time, earn-the-rest model: prime-corridor units priced in USD with the demand to short-let, delivered on a 100% on-time record. Ask us which units fit.
Explore the investment caseThe income side
Your income depends on how many months you let and the occupancy you achieve on those nights. You will earn less than a full-time short let, because you use the unit yourself for part of the year, but far more than a holiday home sitting empty. Model the let months on conservative occupancy and treat strong months as upside.
For a sense of the per-unit numbers behind the let months, see what a studio can earn on short lets.
Running it from abroad
Use a co-host or manager, typically 15% to 25% of revenue, to handle listings, guests and turnovers while you are away, and coordinate your personal dates with them in advance. This is the standard setup for diaspora owners and keeps the strategy genuinely hands-off between visits.
If you are buying remotely to begin with, pair the purchase with a power of attorney so you can complete without flying in.
About Imaani Homes
Imaani Homes is an Accra-based luxury real estate developer, established in 2019, building investment-grade apartments in Ghana’s most prestigious addresses. Across four developments we have delivered every project on time, with two fully sold out: JAK Royale, our debut development, and The Ivy. Alexis Residence in Tesano is over 90% sold, and our flagship Regalia, in the Airport Residential Area, is open for reservations. Our standard is simple: the right property, in the right address, delivered exactly as promised.
Frequently asked questions
What is the live-part-time, earn-the-rest strategy?
You buy an apartment in Accra, block the dates you want to use it yourself, and short-let it for the rest of the year to earn income. It blends having a home in Accra whenever you visit with rental returns from the months it would otherwise sit empty.
Is short-let or long-let better for this?
Short-let, in most cases, because it gives you the flexibility to block your own dates around bookings. A long let ties the unit to one tenant for a fixed term, which removes the personal-use flexibility the strategy depends on.
How much can it earn?
It depends on how many months you let and the occupancy you achieve. You will earn less than a full-time short let because you are using the unit yourself for part of the year, but far more than a holiday home that sits empty. Model the let months on conservative occupancy.
Can I run this from abroad?
Yes. Use a co-host or manager, typically 15% to 25% of revenue, to handle bookings, guests and turnovers while you are away, and coordinate your personal dates with them. This is the standard setup for diaspora owners.
Is it worth it?
For diaspora buyers who want both a base in Accra and a return on the asset, yes. It offsets the carrying cost of a holiday home with real income, while keeping the home available when you are back.
Want a base in Accra that pays its way?
Tell us how often you visit and your budget, and we will suggest units that work well for part-time living and short-let income.
Talk to our teamImportant notice. The figures in this article, including yields, prices, costs, tax rates, and timelines, are indicative estimates based on current market conditions and public sources, and are provided for general information only. They are not guarantees, forecasts, or financial, legal, or tax advice. Actual figures vary with circumstances and change over time. Before making any decision, seek independent professional advice. All purchases are governed solely by the terms of the relevant Sales and Purchase Agreement.