If you are looking to verify a land in Lagos before you purchase, then this article is for you. In this article we would outline the simple steps you need to take to verify that a land is genuine before you purchase.
Why do you need to verify a land in Lagos before you purchase?
Purchasing land in Lagos can be a risky venture especially for the first-time buyer. Without carrying out the necessary checks, you might realise that you have fallen into the hands of scam artists.
When you verify a land in Lagos before you purchase, you are simply checking to make sure that the person selling has good title.
Even if you are dealing with the owner through an agent, you have to also be sure that the agent is truly representing the owner.
We have outlined below the basic steps you need to take to verify a land in Lagos before you purchase.
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Visit the land
Before you decide to purchase a land in Lagos, the first step is to visit the land. A visitation might open you up to any potential dangers. Watch-out for signboards, debris, and cornerstones. Also watch out for caveats signs such as “This Land is Not For Sale” notices written on the walls of fenced properties.
The presence of any of these warning signs can help you tell if there is any potential danger.
If you are unable to visit the site personally, kindly ask a trusted representative to visit on your behalf.
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Take A Land Surveyor Along
When visiting a land, you intend to purchase, kindly take a surveyor along. The surveyor’s work is to take the coordinate of the site and confirm if the land is free from government acquisition or not. The surveyor would also confirm the size of the land.
Also, when you are ready to buy, the surveyor would confirm the accurate boundaries.
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Request for documents
In order to verify the status of a land in Lagos state, sometimes you have to request for the land’s document. A land in Lagos can either have excision, Certificate of Occupancy or Registered Deed. Kindly request for a copy of the documents in order for you to verify the land.
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Hire a Real Estate Lawyer
Besides taking all the above steps, you also need to hire a real estate lawyer to assist you to verify a land in Lagos before you purchase. The lawyer would carry out due diligence on the information surrounding the land. After his investigation, he would then give you a report which would either advise you to carry on with your purchase or withdraw completely.
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Use Your Instinct
In order to verify a land in Lagos before you purchase, you also need to use your instinct. Using your instinct involves asking many questions, looking around the site and trying to understand if purchasing the land would be a good investment choice for you on the long run.
You also need to be sure that the property is not prone to environmental attacks e.g flood, erosion etc. Depending on the use, you should also be sure that the property falls within your requested use. So for instance if the land is for commercial use, you can’t use it as residential.
Buying an Estate Land Versus Buying An Open Land
Depending on your purpose and use, you would either be buying an open land or a land that falls within an estate. If you are buying an open land, the risks are higher. The most common risk is dispute over the ownership over the land.
After buying an open land, you must take immediate possession in order to ward of trespassers and encroachers.
When buying an estate land however, the risks are reduced. You are less at risk because of the community advantage. You don’t have to take possession after buying the land. You are not at risk of trespassers and encroachers.
Conclusion
It is always important to verify a land in Lagos before you purchase. Buying a land is usually a huge investment that you don’t want to just rush into. It is therefore important that you follow the laid down steps in order to be safe in your land purchase investment.
