Buying an apartment for living seems to be a big investment, while renting one is a big task in getting the one that best suites one. We all go through this at some point in our lives, either for ourselves or friends. But, getting a good and comfortable apartment most especially in Lagos seems to be a big deal even with the help of an agent. I have come to understand that its the available apartment an agent have at hand at the moment is what they would convince you to rent or buy out from them. But, below are underlisted things i would advice you to look out for before buying or renting an apartment.
Pollution
First of all condition, health comes first. Check the amount of pollution in the area. If the area is in the heart of the city then there will be more pollution. If it is in the outskirt of city pollution will be less. The pollution affects your health also. In the case of metropolitan city the pollutions are very high. Just like someone that lives at Igando/Egan in Alimosho would enjoy the environment due to less noise, compared to someone who stays at Obalende.
Land value appreciation
Calculate the value of the area after certain years in future and whether there is a scope for better appreciation should also be considered before finalizing the purchase of house/apartment. A land at Ogundana Street in Allen Avenue, would appreciate more that the one at Oko-Afo in Badagry.
Check the Location.
First check the location where the house/apartment is located and how well it is popular. Check if it is in a too remote place or in the heart of the city. It is always suggested to have your investment in a place which is well connected and would see a hike in price.
Distance from the city.
Calculate the distance to reach from your house/apartment to the city. If the distance is too high, Check whether you have the mode of transport to reach your house/apartment. How will it affect your children. It will be better if your house/apartment is some distance away from the city but not in remote area. The main decision is based on the travel time. Put your dime in a place which may be little far but gives you an easy and quick mode of transport may be by road, train or any other means to reach the city.
Shops & Restaurants.
Check the local nearby restaurants and shops available near to your house/apartment. Calculate how long will it take to reach your house/apartment. This will be important to you for deciding whether to purchase groceries once a week or often. This will also be applicable for other things also to determine whether you can reach it easily.
Drainage.
Check whether proper drainage system is available in the roads nearby where you plan to purchase your home. If proper drainage system is not available, then during rainy seasons your area may get flooded with rain water which will make your transportation to your home harder. It will also bring more diseases due to rainwater stagnation. The worst factor is these water may enter into your home sometimes if your house/apartment is in ground floor.
Pleasantness of location
Also consider whether the area you plan to buy is pleasant. Also check whether it will be more pleased to live for your kids also and to play around, cycle around. Check whether it is safe for them to move around freely in neighborhoods.
Security.
This is a very important factor you have to consider before selecting a house/apartment. Check whether the apartment has a security guard hired or not. If not hired then you have to discuss with other tenants to hire one for safety. Check about the current thefts in the area for further evaluation.
Access to Bus or Train
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If Bus or train access is nearer to the house/apartment then it adds more value to the house/apartment. Many people find house/apartments near by to bus or train access so that it would be easy for them to move from a place to another. You can also sell it in the future.
Which Floor
In these days you cannot build individual house/apartments in a metropolitan city. It consists of apartments mostly. So if your apartment is in the last floor, in hot countries during summer it is hard to live with. So the floor where your flat should also be considered.
Maintenance Charges
If you are planning to move to apartment, then check on the maintenance cost of the apartment. Maintenance cost also include water taxes, security fees, other general utilities available in flat, lift electricity, other lightning available in general.
How old is the building.
If the building is older then you should compare it with the price you give and see whether it is worth or not. If you buy some old building you will be stuck up with too much cost to modify the place to make it working. There may be leaked pipes or burnout wires which we will be able to know when checked in detail.
Disturbances nearby.
Also check whether there are other disturbances nearby.
Transportation mode.
Transportation is a very important factor. You should find whether the house/apartment you are moving to and the transportation you have can take you across the city. If you can’t be able to reach your place with the mode of transportation you have within the time, then you cannot live there.
Gyms, hospitals, schools nereby.
If gym, hospitals, school facilities are available nere to your house/apartment you plan to move to, then it would be much easier for you to take your childrens to the school, attend in time of sickness and go to gym without too much to travel.
Traffic density.
Look at the traffic density of the area where you plan to buy the house/apartment. If it is more traffic then the time to reach your home from your work. It will also take more time to reach from your place to other places.
Gardens, parks.
If gardens, parks are in the area where you live then it will be more pleasant to live by. The more greener it is the more pleasant the place will be to live. Childrens will also find it more happier the place to play.
Lifts facility
If your house/apartment is not in ground or first floor, not all the time you can take lifts. So lift facility should be there and also backup generators should be there in the time of power failures.
Car Parking available.
Check whether car parking is available and the no of cars which can be parked if you are purchasing a flat. Also check whether it is roof covered and whether it is a common area or a specific place. Common area will be problem in many times, it is better to move to a specific car parking area. In some area you have to pay for the car parking an extra fee while you buy a flat.
Water supply and other amneties.
You should also check whether water supply is coming correctly in the new area or not. Also check how it is handled.
Enquire your Neighbors.
Before moving just have a casual visit to the flat and enquire about the flats and any problems they are currently facing etc… This will give you a clearer cut idea before moving in.
Resale Value/Rent Increase.
The house/apartment you are going to buy should have a good return for you in future. This you can get by calculating the resale value of the flat after a certain years. If your are renting then there should not be increasing in rent more often which will hit your budget.
Is the total area enough for your family.
Will the Sq.Ft of the house/apartment you are going to move to will accommodate your family now and also in your future. This should be considered before selecting the house/apartment. You should not decide this with your current family count, but also with your future family count.
Write down the features you need first.
Be clear in what you want and note it down. So while you are visiting a house/apartment you can ask them all the points and get clarified.
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