How to search for property in Lagos
We will be giving ways of how to search for property in Lagos
Use the right property finding sites
Gone are the days when peering into estate agents’ windows was the only way to see what your money might get you in the area you want to buy in.
Now there’s a lot of property search websites. But remember, asking prices are often wildly optimistic, showing what the seller wants, not what they’ll get.
So ask yourself: do properties listed where you want to buy stay around for a while, or are they snapped up?
Is there a steady supply of the type of home you’re thinking of buying, or are they few or far between?
Chat to your local estate agent
Some homes are sold before they appear online, so it’s also worth getting friendly with a local estate agent to hear as soon as a place hits its books.
Also, tell them what type of property you’re looking for and your budget.
They should be able to give you an idea of how realistic it is, how many other buyers you could expect to be up against and how long it’s taking on average for that type of property to sell.
Remember that estate agents see loads of buyers so be friendly and make sure they know you’re a serious buyer.
Then they might do some of the property hunting legwork for you and give you a heads up when something new becomes available.
Find out how much other houses have sold for
Once, price info was only the preserve of agents and brokers. Now, with the web, you can check any property for free.
To see what any house, anywhere, went for, over a good few years.
House prices can go up and down, just like shares
Yes, prices change and demands increase too.
Check out the neighbourhood before you make an offer
So scan the neighbourhood on foot, hunting for clues. Visit the parks and bar at different times of the day.
Do you like the local shops and restaurants? Are walls scrawled with graffiti?
In the worst cases, are there drug dealers or prostitutes on street corners at night?
Get the lowdown from locals and ask a local bobby or neighbourhood watch coordinator.
They’re likely to tell you the truth and give you a better picture.
Also, check your specific property – are neighbours noticeably noisy?
Is it under a flight path or over a train line?
Are there upcoming planning proposals which will change the area – for better or worse?
With all these, you should be able to search for property in Lagos.
