How To Inspect A developed Property For Purhase – The Cardinal Principles;

When you intend to buy a developed property, please take particular note of the following points in the course of inspection:

1. Structure: check the structure if its sill solid.

2. Roof: Is it made of aluminum long span or corrugated iron sheets? Is the roof leaking? The easiest way to detect this is if there are brown patches on the ceiling/ or asbestos board. This point is also very important if you do not want to start changing the roof too soon.

3. Tenants: Are there tenants in the property? Are they aware the property is being sold?

4. Amenities: Does the house have good toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens? Are the rooms spacious enough? If a block of flats, does it have basic amenities? Are the spaces enough to accommodate your belongings? Check the balcony and verandas? If a tenement building, check how many tenants share a kitchen and toilet.

5. Ventilation: Does the house and the apartments have good ventilation for fresh air? Check out the space between the building and the fence wall or the next building, is it sufficient?

6. Water Supply: The importance of water in daily living cannot be over-emphasized. Does the building or apartment have running water? Is water supply from the main source, borehole or well?

7. Environment: Is it a waterlogged area where you will not be able to enter whenever it rains, or where you will need a canoe/boat to get you to your house during rainy seasons? Is the area easily accessible? How many access roads lead to the area? A very important point of note is when inspecting during the rainy season.

8. Electricity And Water Bills: Is the building connected to the national grid? Is there power supply to the building presently?

9. Plumbing/Wood/Electrical Works: Check to be sure there are no blocked or broken pipes or leakages on the toilet or water pipes. Check the doors, windows, keys and hinges.

10. Parking Space: Check if there are enough parking spaces in the premises. If the parking space is not enough, confirm how safe it is to park outside.

11. Tombs, Shrines, etc: There are instances when the property you intend buying may contain the tombs of some deceased owners or relations or the shrine of a family deity. This should not discourage you if you are interested in the property. All you need do is to confirm from the seller what he intends doing about the tomb/shrine.

12. The Neighborhood: It is a common phenomenon in the big cities of Nigeria to find street gates/barricades on virtually every street. These are for security purposes. Most of these street gates have their opening and closing times written on them. Check to be sure that the time is convenient for you.

13. The neighborhood question is also important where, for instance, you intend to use the property for commercial purpose, e.g., warehouse or hotel. Would such a venture be suitable in that neighborhood? Would your customers have easy access, free from harassments or intimidation by neighbors? Would your neighbors tolerate such a venture?
14. Neighbors: Check out who your prospective immediate neighbors are. If you find them at home at the time of inspection, try getting personal with them to know the kind of persons they are.

15. Security: This is equally a very important point to note especially where you intend to personally occupy the property. Some areas are more susceptible to burglary/theft/robbery attacks than others, especially the secluded areas or an area just developing. Ask what security measures are in place.

16. Is the building itself adequately protected? What type of entrance doors are fitted, wooden or iron? Are the entrance doors strong enough? Are there burglary-proofs on the windows? Are there fire escapes/alternative doors/routes in cases of emergencies?