In Nigeria, there are two main ways to invest in real estate. You can either buy an existing home or land or you can build one from scratch, we spoke to Abiodun Adisa also known as Abi Adisa, founder and managing director of Oridun Capital Management, an alternative asset manager, investing primarily in a few early-stage, fast-growing proptech companies.
In this article, we’ll take a look at both methods and provide tips to make your investments successful.
This article provides tips for Nigerians who want to invest in real estate within the country as well as foreign investors who want to do business in Nigeria and open a real estate agency or a property management company.
Here are our tips on how to invest in Nigerian real estate effectively:
Location is Everything
No matter what kind of real estate you’re looking for, it’s important to think about where you want to live.
If you’re interested in owning a home near your place of work, choose an area with plenty of economic activity.
Conversely, if you need an affordable place to live but don’t want that location to put a strain on your commute time or budget, look for areas that are not experiencing much growth or development.
You should also consider price when thinking about location; areas with higher housing costs may have better amenities and entertainment options but could be cost-prohibitive depending on your budget.
Different Types of Properties
As you begin looking into investment properties, it’s important to familiarize yourself with different types of properties that could be right for you.
It’s likely that your first few purchases will be apartments or houses (single-family homes), but there are other options out there like duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
All of these can potentially be very profitable, but it’s best not to get ahead of yourself; start small and work your way up.
Also, keep in mind that larger buildings require additional oversight when you’re managing them. To avoid headaches, don’t get overly ambitious too early.
Check for Factors That Impact Value
You’ve likely heard that real estate is all about location, location, location. If you’re thinking of investing in real estate, you need to understand how different aspects of a property can impact its value.
For example, it’s important to know if the property is located near public transportation or whether it comes with additional square footage.
The more research you do into all areas of a particular property before purchasing it, your odds of success will increase dramatically.
Find the Right Agent
You may be surprised at how many real estate agents there are in any Nigerian city, such as Lagos. To make sure you find a great one, start by asking friends and family for recommendations.
Then, do some research: check out agent websites and read online reviews before making your final decision.
When meeting with potential agents, ask them questions about their experience and customer service; if they seem hesitant or unsure, move on to somebody else.
Insurance
Every real estate investment comes with risk. But you can minimize those risks by properly insuring your investment.
Talk to an insurance agent about getting coverage for your new property, which will ensure that your investments are covered should something go wrong—be it fire, flooding or theft. And don’t forget about owner and liability insurance too.
Owner’s coverage protects against damage to the building itself, while liability insurance covers lawsuits arising from slip-and-fall accidents or tenant injuries on your property.
Conclusion
Once you’ve got your real estate agent in Nigeria, it’s time to start scouting for properties and doing thorough research before making a purchase.
Only then can you take advantage of all that (arguably) low-risk, high-reward Nigerian real estate investments have to offer. Good luck!
source: guardian ng
