The actual home buying process includes finding a place, securing financing, making an offer, obtaining a home inspection, and closing the deal.

Whether you've done it before or not, the challenge of buying a home can be incredibly daunting. It's tempting to either just go with the first place that falls in your price range or continue to rent. To help you demystify the process and get the most out of this purchase, let's examine what you'll need to consider before you buy, what you can expect from the buying process itself, and some handy tips to make life easier after you move into your home.

Buying a plot of land and building a house on it is a dream for many of us. Buying a plot of land has become a very complicated concern, especially when considering the obvious corruption surrounding the deals including creating fake documents, demand for half payment in cash, and also issues of disputed land sales. So, if you are ready to buy a piece of land to build your first home, it is advisable to be very cautious and thorough.

Also, the steps and procedures are quite different from purchasing a flat and hence require careful analysis before setting out on the path.

How to Buy Lands?

It is difficult to get plots to buy in urban cities, though you can still get a good piece of land in developing towns or even the peripheries of the urban cities. For instance, if your plan financing land purchase with a loan, then a land loan can be offered to you by bank for the purchase of residential plot(s) of land. Though terms and conditions vary, some banks requires that the buyer should start construction within six months of land purchase, while some also finance the processing of certificate of occupancy and retain the certificate as collateral. However, it would be advisable to be precise on your budgeting for owing plot of land. You may procure a personal loan, but that might be a little more expensive.

What to Lookout For?

In Nigeria, the real estate sector often pilfers with the law governing it. Therefore, it is advisable for land buyers to check for the following factors thoroughly and even get them examined by a legal expert before making the actual purchase:

1.      The Deed Title: Check if the deed title is in the name of the seller and he has the full right to sell it. If the property is an inheritance, the seller must be mention in the testate deed or will or if the property is without testate/will the deed of title must be backed by letter of authorization. You may also Insist upon looking at the original and not just a photocopy and do a comprehensive search at the nearest government agency or probate.

2.      Encumbrance Certificate: An EC is a certificate of assurance that the property in question is free from any legal or monetary liability such as a mortgage or an unpaid loan. This document can be procured from the state high court registrar's office where the deed is registered. It declares that the land is free of any legal hassle and unpaid dues.

3.      Property Tax Receipts and Bills: Ask for the originals again and ensure all the payments have been made as this could lead to legal complications and more expenditure in the future.

Apart from these, you must also check that the loans on the land are repaid with a release certificate issued by the bank and get the property valued for the exact land measure.