It is important to take your lifestyle into account when you’re buying land. After all, this lot will be the foundation of your home, and will represent a big chunk of your total expenses, typically 25 to 40 percent of your final home value.
In today’s blogpost, we highlighted and explained some crucial factors to consider before you make an offer for a land lot.
Welcome.
A prospective purchaser of any property would have two major concerns. One is he must be sure that the vendor of the property is really entitled to sell it. Thus the buyer must first insist that the vendor proves that his title to the land is good and that he can pass to the purchaser the land/ property which he is offering to sell. Secondly, the purchaser will want to know whether any third parties have rights to the land which might interfere with his intended use of it.
What to consider before buying a land
Finding the right piece of land to build a home on is a challenging task. How do you find a lot that’s in a good location and that fits your budget?
Here are a few factors to consider when looking out for a lot to purchase:
1. Zoning
Building from scratch is already complicated enough, so start with the basics: You can’t build your dream home on land that isn’t zoned for residential use. Some land may have complicated legal protections in place as well. A local agent can help you understand the zoning in your area and make sure you’re not wasting time looking at land that can’t be used. It is quite helpful to work with
an architect who can create a 3D model of what your dream house will look like on the lot, so you can see the impact of the zoning and land-use regulations.
2. Size
Be sure to look for the right dimensions for your needs. If you have a large family, for example, or want plenty of space to host guests or entertain, you will want a large lot. Even if you plan to build a smaller home, you may want an expansive lawn and garden — especially if you enjoy spending time outdoors.
However, a large lot can come with additional expenses. For example, you’ll likely need to pay more for landscaping and watering, which could eat up a lot of your budget. If you are a serious gardener, you may want to have a soil analysis done to see if you will be able to grow everything you want to.
3. Privacy
Another key consideration when buying land is the level of privacy you want. If you don’t want to be seen by neighbors or passersby, you’ll want to look for a property that’s secluded, away from busy roads and foot traffic. Natural barriers are useful as well: Trees, bushes, and water, like ponds or creeks, can all help to provide privacy. If you’re looking at a property with a stream or pond on it, be sure to check into any possible regulations and whether it is in a conservation or watershed area or prone to flooding.
4. Utilities
When you’re looking at a lot, ask about the utility services in the area. If it’s in a fairly populated region- or part of a new development or master-planned community -it will likely already have access to the necessary utility services. In rural areas, though, you may need to have electricity, water and sewage lines (or a septic tank) hooked up to the property. The cost of connecting to utility
services can be a substantial part of your overall purchase. Check to see if there are any moratoriums in place, and make sure the lot is big enough to meet your needs if you will be installing a septic system or a drilling well.
In some cases, you may need to get a permit from the local utility provider. If that’s the case, you may not be able to finalize the sale until the water and electric companies have completed their work.
5. Accessibility
Your dream home lot won’t do you any good if it’s unreachable. Land purchases most often take place outside a city, which can mean long drives and rural roads. Consider how you’ll be accessing the property and whether it requires building an access road or a driveway, which can be a significant expense — especially if it requires an easement . Don’t forget to factor in gas costs and commute times, as well.
6. Ecology
Anytime you want to build on a property, it’s important to consider potential environmental concerns. Some land, particularly in rural areas, might have conservation requirements that limit what may be built there. You may want to have the soil tested and water table checked as well, as both affect whether the land is appropriate for building.
In addition, there may be limitations on building based on the slope of the property, or on tree removal and/or replacement (especially in heavily wooded areas). Consider hiring an experienced property surveyor to investigate the land rights and restrictions with respect to natural resources.
Documents Required For Land Purchase In Nigeria.
During the process of purchasing a land, there is a number of crucial documents required from the seller in order to effectively validate the transaction. These documents are necessary as they are evident of title which the buyer possesses in relation to the land.
It is important to note that there are different types of land documents in Nigeria. These documents include:
- Approved survey plan: This is an important title document that helps to reveal the true ownership status in any land and landed properties’ transactions.
It also helps to reveal if such land is not under any government acquired or committed areas.
2. Approved layout
3. Deed of assignment: This is a very important document that must be demanded and given to a purchaser after the conclusion of any land/property transaction between such purchaser/buyer and the owner/seller of the land/ landed property in
4.Purchase receipt: this is the evidence of due payment of the purchase of the land and it is usually required when registering the
5.Certificate of Occupancy: this is one of the most important land title documents that is used to certify the legal ownership status of any land in Nigeria irrespective of its usage. It is usually delivered to the owner of a parcel of land by the government attesting to the owner’s interest to the land where such interest is in accordance with the applicable laws. It is a legal document indicating that a person who has acquired an interest in land has been granted a statutory right of occupancy by the
6.Power of attorney: this is usually required where a person is acting for another person, individuals or companies as his agent. It is a document that authorizes such person to act on their
These documents are essential as they are necessary to process a search in the land registry, the registration of title, registration of Deeds, as well as registration of Certificate of Occupancy.
