₦airaland Forum

@ Timdawg,

Are u sure its a V6? if so, why is the "V6" emblem missing @ d back? Slight accident?Bump? ,  also, the driver's side door handle looks "funny".
Whatta gwan? I'm just the small fish messanger. don't let me send your case to big pros like Democtrat

So whats d story.

@ Sultan,

This supposed to be a forum but i must go the other way here. Yuo are clinicllay retarded. Why are u bashing the guy for nothing? Even if all he does is give info that is readily available. So what? Its not readily available to everyone you know. I'm not DEMOCRAT's #1 fan to say the least (See page six for my comment to him) however, the man is doing a steller job with his info.

We were supposed to come together in a forum and learn from each other not tear each other down. So please check yourself before you wreck

One love.

@ Democrat,
No mind that fool. Hes a CAPITAL slowpoke. Keep up the good work.

WTF?

@ Topic,

All responses have been interesting so far. I happen to have a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. My take on this is simple. SHE CANT PROVE THE SOURCE! PERIOD. Breaking the law, by not declaring the funds can be an innocent mistake (Lets assume that for the purpose of this forum). However, if you can prove the source e.g sold property in the US. Bought few cars and went to Nigeria to dispose it and coming back. If her pay (and savings) over the time in the US can support her possession of such funds. then no problem.

This is what i think happened at the court proceeding, she will be given a deal that she forfeits the $$$, get suspended sentence. Or she might roll the dice and go to trial, she loses, go to jail and still lose the $$$.

Smart her, the funds belongs to some Baba Isale or just funny $$$, she gave up the funds and run  . come to think of it, especially in California where i live, there are people that bought houses about 5-6years ago and were able to make over $250,000 or more on it. Most people that bought houses about 10years ago have the home prices double or triple (i just happen NOT to be one of those lucky people ). They make a bank after sales.

In reality in some cases, $92,000 is not a lot of $$$ considering shes be in the US for 18years and her profession. I don't have that kind of $$$ though. Nobody gives up $92,000 of their blood, sweat, and tears just like that!

@ things,

Your point is well taken. however, pls remember that the tru test of any car is not when its new. Its the car 5,6,7,8,9 years from now. Ability to ride the car time and time again when u get home.

My verdict: stay away from town&Country. Too many gear problem. go for Previa, Sienna, quest (the usual suspects) and if u wanna step big, Honda Oddyssey.

I hope its good info for u. Availability of parts for T/C is another issue. Even if you were able to not have major problems with it. You will have to service periodically

Hello Everyone,

I want to know if anyone in the house have ideas about current climate of starting a Caterpillar renting business in Nigeria. Renting of Grader, Excavator, payloader etc. How lucrative. Pitfalls? Current rental rates if known. any other useful info will be appreciated.

I am in talk with somebody who i know very well and will try to run the business jointly. However, i want to know what im doing before anything else. I am planning to focus mainly in Ibadan/ogun state area.

Thanks

@ Topic,

That should be your cue. "its not common". That means you will have uncommon problems. The Crossfire is powered by the same engine in the Merceded 320 beacuse its the same company that makes mercedes makes Chrysler (Mercedes just sold Chrysler company yesterday). However, there will be parts that will be specific to that car itself.

My verdict: unless you are ready for some one of a kind problem down the road. Stay away!

Marriage is like and engine. Money is the engine oil that lubricates. It has to be in appriopriate/moderation for a well oiled machine. No more no less.
Little problem will be overblown if thers no money in the marriage. Divorce will not be too far down the road.

@ Outlaws

Y is it a "disgrace to the black community"? Dont get it. The same "pull" that we have to settle in Naija someday even though here is better is the same pull any foreigner will feel. Everybody want to be in a familiar territory.

@ Thinker,

Im sure that your wife probably loves you but think about it. You wanna go home and settle. On the other hand you want her to leave her roots and go with you. Kinda unfair. She will go to an unfamiliar world, culture, people etc.
Ask yourself, when you were growing up in Naija, how many people you see with foreign wives that lives with them permanently? Tai Solarin and ,

Interracial marriage will work if the lady is happy. If she wont be happy in naija, theres no point dragging her down there. its a recipe for disaster. East or West. Home is the best. It applies to everyone.
Yuo came to her country to marry her, not the other way round and you still wanna go home to settle despite all comfort overseas gives. But you want her to do the opposite cos shes ur wife? Love is blind not stupid.

Marry someone else in naija and float on.

@ Bobi,

Whatever the car you will be using just make sure theres plenty of parts available in the area and be sure that Kaduna have enough local mechanics to handle repairs on the car i.e you might have a handful of VW mechanics but tons of nissan/toyota mechanics. Hence i wouldnt advise you to use a VW.

Talking to local drivers/mechanics wouldnt hurt either. As a tranporter, a car doesn't do you any good if its not making $$$.

Good luck

Can someone pls update me on the pure water business in Nigeria at present. Profitability? Challenges? etc. Any other input will be appreciated.

this goat will look really delicious on my plate

@ sketch 18,

what is the details on that bldg. How many flats etc

@ savesoul,

Not really. Remember, buying a car from cotonou is technically "illegal". Hence, some factor of risk. So its a 50/50. if you gonna lose why lose 100% of your $$$. and by the way you still give the guy something to look forward to if you pay half. paying in full, you dont give the person "incentive"

@ Sirbuddy,

Thanks for the compliments (thats what i consider it). I kinda think though that its more productive to post more intinate pics than be going back/forth on this issue. The last time i checked you are the one selling the house. What happened? Mr. i have a house to sell but can only show you pics from 100 miles away. Genius! Thats your new middle name.

pics please

@ Savesoul,

If you buy the car in cotonou, you cant drive it in yourself. you will req. the services of some ppl to do that. if they are the right ppl, who dont cut corners and pay the right customs officers then no problem. if they dont, the car might be seized. since you are 100% on the line as far as your $$ goes. you lose. the car and the service $$ you paid to get the car in.

Worse, though are outright theft of your car. They will claim its been seized while they are attempting to bring it in. However, it was re-sold either in Cotonou or at Lagos. Since the car hasn't been registered in Nigeria anyway it a "clean car" The whole deal is under G anyway, guess what? you cant report to police. You have to lick your wounds and kiss your money goodbye.

Ur options are:
If you know a trustworthy guy that goes to cotonou frequently, either follow the person, buy the car and pay him/her to handle the rest.

Give anyone who goes frequently your specs. and agree on price but DONT PAY A PENNY until the car shows up at you house. if the person dont agree, then no deal.

Just go to berger and get what you are looking for. Tons of cars over there. You will find something. it might be 50-100k higher than goin to cotonou yourself but you get what u want.

Car business is very competitive already, so the profit margin is thin, hence dealers dont put too much on top in order to move the vehicles cos some of them are on loan anyway. High turnover is the trick of the game. Yuo will be hard pressed to find someone who will make more than 100k on a 500-600k car anyway.

Good luck

@ alanbolo,

thanks for the compliment. All i will advise anyone is that get whatever you can wherever in naija. Thats ur plan B. You own it have the key. if everything fails in the US/Europe. You have a place to go. You rather be in you own house in naija (no matter how small/what village) than be at a homeless shelter/soup kitchen in America or on the street of London riding tube all night to pass the night. God help us.

Cotonou is definately cheaper but u might lose it trying to get it across. unless of course you trust those bringing it in. Weigh spending about extra 100k to buy in lagos or lose 500k or more on the car in cotounou. go to berger

@ megapro,

you can search "meditenarrean" design. Its the plans for places like florida, south america which is temparate and humid like naija.

Most of the time you will need to tweak the plans anyway. How many bedrooms ids the bungalow and duplex ? nice design.

@ Bulga,

I saw the plan, i hate to break it to you. Its butt ugly. What you are describing is called a Duplex (in Nigeria) i believe. Or you can just build  a bungalow with a "cathedral ceiling". There are a lot of cool plans in Nigeria especially when you look around lekki phase1, VGC area.

As a suggestion, when you go to naija, y don't u drive around the new community(s)  and im sure you'll see the type of building you like. Contact the architect, provide your details and go from there. Keep the plan you have for references.

Just give specs to a good architect and give him/her a free reign on creativity. Tweak it along the way to your taste.
One more thing thats with plans is that you have to be conscious of locally available materials (windows designs and other materials etc)
You don't want to build a house and cannot fix a broken window because nobody have the type locally. You have to run back to europe/usa.

There are a lot of good design in naija. Also being a tropic climate, it changes the design of the building etc.

Log on to www.homeplans.com to see if you find something you like.

Can someone explain what is "self contain" to me. Do you have a layout/plan by any chance. Same as mini-flat?

@ psychology,

a u there?

@ Sirbuddy,

Thanks for ur compliments. (thats d way i see it). "This kind of brain" is called being smart and deligent. All i want to see are intimate/inner pics of the house. Is that 2 much 2 ask for 40mil?

If u are a broker, let ppl know. if you have access 2 the house, then show it. put up or shut up. its that simple

wey pic . At least for 40m you should provide pic and address so i can drive AT MY OWN TIME TO INQUIRE.

@ posting

I swear i have seen this house (or something similar) in a real estate website for a house in Lagos. I am not saying this is 419 but i say BE CAREFUL.  I am kind of leery when "the owner" of a house cannot show the yard, interior, provide detailed info of the rooms and the stage/level of completion.

Standing at mile 12 taking a picture of a house in mile 2 doesnt convince me well enof  . just a thought

@ tundysho,

I live in the states. some of the plans might not be in jive with european designs. However, i say u go to Houseplans.com or Homeplans.com and knock yourself out. You can get ideas. Let me know if you have any questions.

@ Bulga and Everyone,

Let me make myself clear. I AM NOT AN ARCHITECH. Just seeking a good one in the house or elsewhere. However, im in the process of completing a 6 Bedroom plan. It will actually be 5BR with office. 2 Sitting Room, 2 kitchen all room ensuite and bigger than normal. (Will post plan sketch at a later date)

House will be built in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State and i got the plan drawn, approved for N180k (Reasonable anyone?). What i did was let the architech come up wt 2 designs and i picked one. I then modified the one i picked to my taste and gave him a final go ahead

@ Bulga,
I will advise that you plan about 4-6million for the bungalow (minus the cost of the land) depending on the size and how you want the interior to be done. (Marble, terrazo, wood flooring, just cement , it all your choice). An avg bungalow will gulp about 5,000 blocks not counting the fence. Block is about N100/each. Cement is about 1,600/each. Budget about 150-200 bags, not counting fence, driveway etc. Roofing will gulp about 800-1mill depending on size of bulding.
Gravel, sand, labor, plumbing/wiring(conduit of course). Burglary proof, windows, bathroom/kitchen fitings, ceiling, paint (if u choose one). Gate. aboki house, generator house, decking for water tank, borehole, A/C Unit.

However, don't let these things overwhelm you. Do it bit by bit. Thats the beauty of Naija. But once u start, it will be a breeze to complete. Just focus. its a beatiful thing to come to Naija and stay in your house!. You have a sense of belonging. A lot of our people cannot leave overseas because there's nowhere for them to stay to call their own, hence, they NEVER go back.

I should be commencing mine soon too. pray for me. Most of the above are sort of for me too. my therapy. I know people here in the US doing not so glamorous jobs and no papers with completed flats at home.

Quick story. A sister landed in the US few years ago. No papers. Working as homehealth aide undercover. After about 3-4 years, she got her papers straightened out and told me that shes going home to visit and inspect her house. I asked if she had the house before coming here, she said NO and most of all the house is somewhere in P/harcourt!

That's when I know its time to get serious with myself. So don't be scared. it can be done. Peace

@ post,

What u should consider first is logistics. There are many african store here abroad. Some people only do it full time. You wanna be sure that what you will be selling will be worth waiting for to get from Nigeria and wont be too costly sending it from Nigeria. That will determine you profit at the ened of the day.

@ folushola,

I will suggest that insted of waiting for people to give you ideas, why dont u sit down and think about what u will like to do. What can you see yourself doin w/out getting pay for it? There lies you passion then comes the $$$$$$.

Never venture into a Biz simply for the $$$ gain. Find your passion first. Then that drives the biz, then the profit. Be wise.