Below are *SEVEN TIPS TO SAFELY BUY A LAND OR HOUSE IN NIGERIA*

*1 - Schedule a site visitation.* Go with a Surveyor or use a GPS to pick the coordinates of the site. Ensure the land you visit falls within the coordinates stipulated on the survey plan.

*2 - Request for title documents.* Ask for a copy of the survey plan and get a Surveyor to ensure the site you visited fall within the stipulated survey plan. Also ask for a copy of other land documents. Check the authenticity of land documents at the Land Bureau at Alausa, Ikeja. A real estate lawyer can help with the necessary due diligence.

*3 - Use the coordinates to confirm the approved use of the land.* A lands use can be residential, commercial, agricultural or industrial. Ensure the use you're buying the land for is the approved use of the property.

*4 - Ask questions about the property.* Ask who is selling? Why the seller is selling? Is there any dispute on the property? etc. If all questions are satisfactorily answered, you may proceed.

*5 - Documentation is vital* Get a real estate lawyer to draft vital documents to guide the sale process. The Deed of Assignment, Contract of Sale, etc should be drafted and necessary documents collected like receipt and survey plan.

*6 - Pay to the owner or to the company* Do not pay to the agent, the owner's brother or the owner's Secretary. Pay directly to the owner of the property.

*7 - Perfect your title documents.* Ensure you do the requisite perfection at the earliest possible time. Your Survey Plan, CofO, Governor's Consent, etc must be done as soon as possible.

For more information on any of the above, please contact:

Ayobayo Babade
Tope Babade & Co
(Real Estate Consultants)
5B, CMD-Jubilee Rd,
Beside Value Exchange Superstores,
Shangisha, Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel/WhatsApp: +2348138344488.