INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE

Investment – the act of investing, or state of being invested.

Over time, it has slowly evolved from being just an individual having a keen eye, to becoming even more than an art. The mastery of the art of placing capital in an expectation of deriving income or profit from its use. Such art requires peculiar skill, one which is very rare to find.

The world we live in is a real-estate driven economy from top to bottom – Christopher Thomberg.

Real Estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world. It requires no orchestrated stroking of a brush to produce a valuable piece of art. Whatever the stroke, that is the price – extremely valuable.

In any market, in any country, there are developers who make money, but there will always be people who make money because people always want homes. And money only ever gravitates in the direction of constantly requested services or provided value, and if you’re still in doubt of the potential wealth-generation machine that real estate could be, here’s a draft timeline and estimate for what real estate used to look like.

1980

  • A plot of Land in Lekki and environs was not even available. It was all forest and bushes
  • Probably sold for 2 thousand per plot, or some other ridiculous price.

1995

  • Plot of land in Lekki and environs sells for between 10 thousand and 30 thousand Naira.
  • Plot of land in Ikoyi, same thing.

2000

  • Plot of land in Ikoyi, Lekki, VI and other environs starts from 5 – 15 Million Naira

2010

  • Plot of land in Ikoyi, Lekki, VI and other environs starts from 20 – 100 Million Naira

2018

  • Plot of land in Lekki and environs goes for between 100 Million – 700 Million Naira
  • Ikoyi, VI and environs; Land sells for triple the above price.

2022

  • Ikoyi, VI and environs. Land now sells for billions of naira

 

THE BIG QUESTION: What constantly needed service are you placing capital in with an expectation of deriving income? What are you investing in?

The major fortunes in America, and the world, have been made in real estate – John D Rockerfeller.

ABC 101: Real Estate Lingo

You’ve heard the saying, ‘When you’re in Rome, make sure you act like Romans do’.

Nothing embarrasses you more than being in an environment and not being able to understand their ways of interaction, the same way nothing alienates you more than being in a line of work or field of interest and not knowing the lingo.

Not to worry though, we’ve prepared a list of Real Estate terms and meanings for your education so that the next time you call that Agent about a  land opportunity or deal; next time you have a chat with family, friends or colleagues and you share your intentions about getting a property, you know what you’re saying.

ACRE: A unit of land area equal to 4,840 square yards (0.405 hectares)

AMENITIES: Enhancements that buildings offer their owners or tenants. These usually include a doorman, health club, garage, children’s playroom, common lounge, etc.

APPRAISAL: is the evaluation of a property by a licensed appraiser on its price based on previous sales of similar properties.

ASSET: An asset is something that is owned and has value.

BREACH OF CONTRACT: a violation of any of the agreed-upon terms and conditions of a binding contract.

BUILDING RESTRICTIONS: these are the requirements in building codes that affect the size and appearance of the building.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY: is a certificate issued by a local government entity responsible for the use of land in the community where the property is located stating that the structures on the property or any improvements made to these structures comply with the codes, ordinances and regulations of that government entity and they may be occupied.

COMMISSION: is the payment to the broker for his or her efforts on marketing and selling the property, and is usually a percentage of the total purchase price.

CONTRACT: is a legally binding agreement between two parties, and in order to have a valid Contract of Sale in Real Estate, there must be: an offer, an acceptance, competent parties, consideration, legal purpose, written documentation, description of the property, and signatures of the principals.

DEED: writing signed by the seller, which transfers title in property from one person to another.

ENCUMBRANCE: A claim or liability attached to the property.

ENCROACHMENT: the trespassing on the land of another by a structure or other object.

HECTARE: A Hectare is a metric system equivalent to 2.47 acres.

JOINT VENTURE: is a business arrangement in which two or more parties agree to pool their resources for the purpose of accomplishing a specific task.

INDEMNIFICATION: the reimbursement or compensation paid to someone for a loss already suffered.

LOT: A lot is a measured section of Land.

OFFER: An offer is made to purchase a property at a specific price. Once an offer is accepted, then a contract of sale is issued by the seller’s attorney.

RENTAL: A rental is the possession, but not ownership, of a property for a limited duration of time under defined terms and conditions.

RENTAL BUILDING: A rental building only has apartments for rent and not for purchase.

SURVEY: A survey is a document indicating measurements, boundaries and the area of a property.

TITLE: the right to or ownership in the property

TITLE SEARCH: this is a process that examines local public records, laws and related court decisions to determine if any other parties have valid claims against the subject property.

USEFUL LIFE: The period of time that a property is expected to be economically useful.

YIELD: The yield refers to the return on investment.

ZONE: An area of a municipality or specific building that is zoned for a specific use, such as residential, commercial, etc.

ZONING: Zoning is the laws regulating land use.

Congratulations, you’ve been certified.

SAVING FOR YOUR DREAM HOME

Let’s be frank, saving money in itself can be a task. Wait, who are we kidding?  Saving money is ‘definitely’ a task. Now imagine saving to purchase property or home what with the amount properties go for today.

But still, only a few things in life create such excitement and fulfilment that acquiring a property of your own does. For most of us, it is the biggest achievement we’ll ever record in the chronicles of our respective lives. But unless you win a lucky dip or some lottery prize money, buying a home would require some serious ‘saving Kung fu’ and ‘financial gymnastics.’

Now, where does one find this much-required knowledge to navigate evident realities and attain the prominent desires of one’s heart?

Look no further, let’s show you how –

  • Open a Savings Account: We assume you’ve already done this but if not, not to worry, we won’t call you unserious just yet, so long as you visit the nearest bank of your choosing and fill out the required documentation required to open a savings account. By the way, this account is a specially dedicated one so if you desire to go out of your way and title it ‘Property Acquisition Savings”, ‘No wahala.’

 

  • Set a target: They say “where there is no law, there is no sin.” So, if you are certain about doing this and seeing it through, you should start with a time frame in mind. It has to be realistic and achievable, mostly as a result of projections drawn from such things as present income, how much you can manage without, personal plan, level of readiness, location of would-be home etc. This timeframe would guide you throughout the saving season but most importantly discipline you to do the next thing detailed beneath.

 

  • Create and adhere to a savings plan: It’s like how you discipline yourself to automatically remember your ten per cent for tithe (if you pay your tithe), five per cent for charity, ten per cent for exigencies and stuff. Create a convenient saving percentage plan and adhere strictly to it. It helps if you start conditioning yourself to think that you earn lesser than you actually do earn presently.

Quote:  Learn to save 20% of your income for a home. If not 20%, then 10%.

  • Save your excesses: It’s time to stash all those petty monies and bonuses that come your way from side gigs and ‘open heaven blessings’. All the money you would usually spend on extra cosmetics because you don’t want them to run out of stock by the time you need them – leave them on the stall. Don’t for once think you can alter the pattern of life, or have you not heard the saying “if you love something, let it go, and if it comes back to you, then it’s truly yours.” Save this one, it is yours.

 

    • Don’t kill yourself, Spoil yourself (sometimes): We know, we know, we know! We’ve advised that you embrace frugality and be decently miserly, now this. You’re probably wondering how spoiling yourself is in tandem with our goal to buy you a dream house from saving. Well, just because we want to buy a house doesn’t mean we should starve to death na. Abi, no be pesin wey chop go pack go new house? Take yourself out sometimes – not as much as you used to o. Eat-in too, you don’t have to go to a restaurant on the island and blow 50k on a meal to feel loved, 10k in your house kitchen by yourself or with closest friends can do that magic also.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LAND

YOU HAVE NOT LANDED

BUILDING LOCATION

Motivation can take you far, but it can take you even further if you first find your vision. Your vision will motivate and guide you.

ADDRESS:

Nathan Terraces
Plot 1, Block 22,
Babatunde Anjous Avenue,
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos

E-mail:

Info@propertymatchmaker.ng

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