Buying land in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, can be very tasking. But in this post, we will highlight 10 things to check to make the process a lot easier and help you make informed decisions.
As a Real Estate Organization in Lagos, that has been around for more than 5 years, we have come to really understand that before buying land that there are some things you need to carefully consider. Let’s dive into it, shall we?
- Location
Location is the number one thing to consider when buying land in Nigeria. This is the foundation to other things you need to check as the location will determine what value the land will be in the future. A land in a developed area will cost more than a land in developing area.
Another reason to consider location when buying land, is that you need to consider if the location of the land is fast attracting development. No one will like to buy land in a location with slow developing prospects, except he/she is very patient.
And if you’re making an investment, never buy land with no resale value.
Never.
2. Neighborhood and Landmarks
Secondly, you need to check who are going to be your Neighbors before buying land in Nigeria. A lot of people make this mistake when buying land. The landmarks in that neighborhood are the key to how fast an area will develop and the value the land will appreciate to.
You should try and look 5 – 10 years into that Neighborhood and see what that area will become before buying land there. Check to see if there are any notable Government or Private project going on or already started to operate as this will tell you if the area will develop fast.
Any Neighborhood you can find up to 5 World Class Landmarks – whether in operation or still under construction then you are good to go. For example if the government or an individual decides to build a notable landmark like factory or university beside your land, the value of that land will automatically go up.
That’s why you need to take this into serious consideration before buying land.
Another reason why you need to put this into consideration is to also help you check if you can cope with the development in the area. But if you are buying to resell then the development is going to be a big plus.
3. Environment.
Thirdly, checking the environment will help to know the land you want to use for housing purpose is safe to live in – you don’t want to live in a polluted environment, do you?
You need to consider the environment where the land is located and know how it is currently affecting those living there presently in order to guaranty your safety while living there.
Also make sure that the area you are considering buying land from does not experience seasonal flooding.
4. Accessibility.
You might be saying that this is not important, but you will know how important this is when you have to beg your neighbors before you can access your land. Always make sure that the area has or will have good road network before buying the land.
5. Security
You need to know how secured the area you are planning on acquiring the land is before dropping your money. Look to see if government has provided adequate security for that area. Also check to see if the community itself has a way of tackling security challenges.
You can also ask people leaving around there to know if the area is peaceful and does not get harassment from rubbers and hoodlums. Security is a vital issue and must be considered when buying land.
- Zoning Restrictions
It is important to know the zoning permits of the area you are trying to buy land from as this will help you know what government plans for that area. You will not be allowed to build a factory where government has already marked for residential building. You need to know this so you do not have issues with the government in future.
Even if the area is for residential building, know the kind of building the government permits for the area. Building a sky scraper in an area where government says build bungalow is going to make you have issues with the government.
- Soil Quality and Composition
Soil quality and composition will determine how you will build your new house or your new factory. It will tell you the kind of additional money you will spend on the land when the time comes. It will tell you if you will need to do any land filling.
When it comes to buildings, soil composition can impact the cost of building foundation, amount of earthworks required and the stability of land retention.
- Size of the Land
You need to also check to know if the size of the land corresponds with what the owner says it is and the only way to do this is to get a surveyor who will come and survey the land and get the actual measurement. Do not just assume because the owner says it one plot that it is one plot make sure you confirm. Even though it will cost you money but it is better you do it and be sure of what you are buying.
That is why we recommend buying land from an estate. This will cut away a lot of things and also make sure you are free from any Omonile Wahala (area boys problem).
- Legal Documents.
After you have checked the above list, the next thing to check is the Legal documents that the land has, by this I also mean the Title of the Land.
When buying land you must check to be very sure that the land you are planning to buy is genuinely registered.
A lot of people think that the best document to check for is the C of O (Certificate of Occupancy). But that is not necessarily true because all land with or without C of O in Nigeria only has 100 years to be used before the land comes back to the Government.
So imagine that the land you are planning to buy has already been used for 30 years before now, that means you only have 70 years to use that land.
The main documents to check for is the Survey Plan, Deed of Assignment, Excision and Gazette.
This will help you to know if the land is under government acquisition or Free, you will also know what the land can be used for with the help of these documents.
Notwithstanding, you can still buy a land and register it yourself but make sure you are buying it from a genuine owner.
- Price of Land
We decided to leave this till you have checked to confirm other things we listed above first as they will determine what the price of the land should be.
For example, land without any title can never be priced the same as Land with C of O.
Because each of this titles cost money to get, therefore the owner will definitely add these expenses to the cost of the land. Also the location of the land has a lot to say about how the land will be priced.
So with this information you can check to know if the owner is over pricing the land or not. At Christal Homes, it is our vision to make the average man a proud home owner – hence, the reason our garden schemes are affordable with flexible payment plans.
Kindly check out our offers for more information.
