I just wanted to share a few things that I’ve learnt real estate wise from my over 1 year of living in Nigeria.

1) Build as small a house as practical. Instead make it multi family and lease part of it out. A good architect can design a multi family residence that has privacy. Frankly I don’t see why I would need more than a 3 bedroom house now.

2) Build duplex and not a bungalow. Reason is security and breeze.

3) Location of your electric switching system is crucial. Man, you’ll interact with that fucker a whole lot.

4) Get a source of constant water. See #5

5) Fire is real. I’ve seen at least 5 fires in Ibadan where many structures burnt to the ground. In fact I’ve never seen a single structure that was saved. Fire fighting is on you. Yeah the FD will eventually arrive but will arrive to chaos, can’t come on scene cause they’re waiting for armed police, no water, runs out of water, etc

6) Your windows and design is important. You’ll be opening and closing numerous times. I have swing out windows and won’t be doing it again. Sliding windows from now on and with fixed nets outside.

7) Splurge on buying land in developed areas with good access roads. A good architect can help design privacy. I drive a 4Runner, one of the worlds toughest mid range SUVs and suspension and other stuff breaks. This month I’ve replaced a broken sway bar link. I’ve never replaced a broken sway bar link due to being snapped in two before. Many wheel bearings (a stiff rolling vehicle is being pushed down the road with a struggling engine and uses more fuel).

I will add to it as I remember.

For my “friends” (you know who yah’all are), this is not a bible. I write from my own experiences and yours might be different.

Very Good Thread.

Following........

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post=90502052:
Very Good Thread.

Following........

[/s]

Invest in solar. The investment is cheap (I’m writing for diasporans who enjoy good exchange rate). If not then you’ll spend heavily on fuel. I have solar plus two generators. A smaller one for watching tv, lights, fridge, etc and a bigger one for all of the above plus pumping machine and washing machine. You don’t want your gen on past 7pm or 8pm at most due to noise. I need to be keyed in on noise around me for safety. Your need may vary. But you need power to keep abreast of news on tv, charge cellphones, drones, laptops, etc. I spend more time at home so my needs are high.

9) If possible buy imported tiles for high traffic areas. The Nigeria tiles frankly are not it. They can’t compare to what we get at Home Depot/Lowes or the clearance stores. If you built small then your finishing cost will be less and you will be able to buy luxurious items. My next build will have all imported tiles.

10) Please forget the local welder doors. Also on doors the locking system is important. If you use local doors then get the best locks you can find. Nigeria is littered with cheap Chinese stuff, I’ve replaced at least 5 locks in one year before I wised up.

11) Artisans will tell you that they’ll clear up deficiencies at finishing stages. They’re lying. You can’t put lipstick on a pig.

12) Buy electric drill for your installers. They sell them here cheaply. Else they’ll use Stone Age method to create holes for you.

Thanks for sharing your experience sir

Olalekank:
Thanks for sharing your experience sir

You're welcome. Just trying to give back.

I was warned about building too big of a house but of course I knew better

Now I realize it. During harmattan just more places and stuff to keep clean.

1,000,000% agreed.

Hajji M.

Very true.
The casement window part got me laughing. I can relate - mosquito will finish you.

Following this thread bumper to bumper.

mank1234:
Very true.
The casement window part got me laughing. I can relate - mosquito will finish you.
Following this thread bumper to bumper.

Why? No mosquito net for the casement windows?
I have it in mine, not any different from the sliding windows, unless I am not understanding.

Hajji M.

mufutau55:


Why? No mosquito net for the casement windows?
I have it in mine, not any different from the sliding windows, unless I am not understanding.

Hajji M.

In some areas, few seconds of opening the net to open or close window, some mosquito would have already found themselves indoor. Same way some follow you and enter as you open door. But with the sliding net and a fix net outside, opening and closing of the window doesn't open the net for them to enter.

mank1234:

In some areas, few seconds of opening the net to open or close window, some mosquito would have already found themselves indoor. Same way some follow you and enter as you open door. But with the sliding net and a fix net outside, opening and closing of the window doesn't open the net for them to enter.

Got it now.. the net will be permanent outside, not for me.
I will chose casement any time... the mosquitoes will meet their waterloo inside. Thanks.

Hajji M.

mank1234:


In some areas, few seconds of opening the net to open or close window, some mosquito would have already found themselves indoor. Same way some follow you and enter as you open door. But with the sliding net and a fix net outside, opening and closing of the window doesn't open the net for them to enter.

You got it.

One night like that around 3am it got cold so I reach out to pull the window close. As I reached out in the dark my stupid dog licked my hand. Boy I shat my pajamas

I also try to use as little as pesticides as I can since I’m not enjoying USA style healthcare anymore.

Nice one Egunmogaji

However allow me to add this

* Consider Greatly the General arrangements of your kitchen, it can be a life saver in time of emergency, Gas should be preferablely placed away from the exit door.

*Escape route is key in any building.

*Think green, Don't just concrete stamp all your unbuilt space, leave a handful for mini garden.

EgunMogaji2:
Invest in solar. The investment is cheap (I’m writing for diasporans who enjoy good exchange rate). If not then you’ll spend heavily on fuel. I have solar plus two generators. A smaller one for watching tv, lights, fridge, etc and a bigger one for all of the above plus pumping machine and washing machine. You don’t want your gen on past 7pm or 8pm at most due to noise. I need to be keyed in on noise around me for safety. Your need may vary. But you need power to keep abreast of news on tv, charge cellphones, drones, laptops, etc. I spend more time at home so my needs are high.

.

Solar and two generators ??. Why not upgrade panels and batteries

Charisdesigns:
Nice

Are you a planner?
As in Urban and regional planner?

kingreign:

Are you a planner?
As in Urban and regional planner?

I am an Architect.

Charisdesigns:

I am an Architect.

I asked based on your signature.
I'm a town planner by qualification but not practicing.

Chikebrain:


Solar and two generators ??. Why not upgrade panels and batteries

An astute question.

The small gen was purchased for my gateman while I was still in the USA. When I arrived fully it couldn’t power everything I needed at once so I bought another bigger one.

I just started my solar conversion and will scale up gradually. Remember that I’m a retiree that’s living on pension

I’m starting a new build soon and that one will be 100% solar.

Charisdesigns:
Nice one Egunmogaji

However allow me to add this

* Consider Greatly the General arrangements of your kitchen, it can be a life saver in time of emergency, Gas should be preferablely placed away from the exit door.

*Escape route is key in any building.

*Think green, Don't just concrete stamp all your unbuilt space, leave a handful for mini garden.

Good points as mentioned.

My gas tank is outside in a temporary location. I intend to install a larger tank elsewhere on the property and plumb a line in.

I have at least 25 trees on my 100 X 120 feet lot.

EgunMogaji2:


You got it.

One night like that around 3am it got cold so I reach out to pull the window close. As I reached out in the dark my stupid dog licked my hand. Boy I shat my pajamas

I also try to use as little as pesticides as I can since I’m not enjoying USA style healthcare anymore.

This got me laughing out so loud.

Dogs are always like that, their own way of showing love.....

mufutau55:


Got it now.. the net will be permanent outside, not for me.
I will chose casement any time... the mosquitoes will meet their waterloo inside. Thanks.

Hajji M.

Same here.

I prefer the swing out windows too.

The sliding windows, after some time, may need some maintenance work.

uboma:

This got me laughing out so loud.

Dogs are always like that, their own way of showing love.....

My brother I was so damn scared. My first thoughts was okay a snake is about to take my hand

uboma:



Same here.

I prefer the swing out windows too.

The sliding windows, after some time, may need some maintenance work.

In the 70s we had those windows with long handles built in. You can open and close without sticking your hands out. Or opening the nets.

EgunMogaji2:


Good points as mentioned.

My gas tank is outside in a temporary location. I intend to install a larger tank elsewhere on the property and plumb a line in.

I have at least 25 trees on my 100 X 120 feet lot.

I like the part about the trees. What kind of trees do you have please?

EgunMogaji2:


In the 70s we had those windows with long handles built in. You can open and close without sticking your hands out. Or opening the nets.

True, I remember them with the long handles...

I wonder why they got phased out in the modern designs.

uboma:


I like the part about the trees. What kind of trees do you have please?

Different palms, royal, king, apple, cashew, crepe myrtles (different colors), there’re some I don’t know the names. I gave my MaiGuard carte Blanche when I was still in the states.

Thank you very much for this tread, I started my building about two years ago and should complete next year. We are planning moving back in about 5 years, but it's going to be gradual. My biggest concern is safety, you mentioned security, can you speak a little bit more about that? Please details, your dog's and don't s. I come home about 3 times a year so its not like I don't come, at the same time it's not the same. And for those of us who have lived outside Nigeria for a while, it's a different experience living there. I will be making the same move in about 5 years and to be honest it concerning. Thanks for doing this! I will definitely be following!!

EgunMogaji2:

In the 70s we had those windows with long handles built in. You can open and close without sticking your hands out. Or opening the nets.

You surely remembered o. Those good old days.

Hajji M.

Jeff68:
Thank you very much for this tread, I started my building about two years ago and should complete next year. We are planning moving back in about 5 years, but it's going to be gradual. My biggest concern is safety, you mentioned security, can you speak a little bit more about that? Please details, your dog's and don't s. I come home about 3 times a year so its not like I don't come, at the same time it's not the same. And for those of us who have lived outside Nigeria for a while, it's a different experience living there. I will be making the same move in about 5 years and to be honest it concerning. Thanks for doing this! I will definitely be following!!

That is the only part that scares me... SECURITY.
I can handle everything else... but that above o.

Hajji M.

Good Evening Hajji,

If don't mind me asking, which state are you? I understand if you want to keep it private.

quote author=mufutau55 post=90534472]

You surely remembered o. Those good old days.

Hajji M.[/quote]

Jeff68:
Thank you very much for this tread, I started my building about two years ago and should complete next year. We are planning moving back in about 5 years, but it's going to be gradual. My biggest concern is safety, you mentioned security, can you speak a little bit more about that? Please details, your dog's and don't s. I come home about 3 times a year so its not like I don't come, at the same time it's not the same. And for those of us who have lived outside Nigeria for a while, it's a different experience living there. I will be making the same move in about 5 years and to be honest it concerning. Thanks for doing this! I will definitely be following!!

I’ll not sugarcoat this move, it’s the hardest thing I’ve done in my adult life. But also it’s been the most rewarding. It requires deep thinking and careful execution, but the reward is great. I’ve met many returnees who are doing extremely well but sadly have also met some who fled back because they underestimated the rigors of Nigeria.

In terms of security I just think that a duplex offers an additional layer of security. With a proper building design one can turn the staircase into a hardened box by having a door at the bottom and at the top. Also, to develop property in established neighborhoods instead of new site. But key for me is blending in. One returnee was waylaid as he waited for his gate to be opened.

Good luck to us all, nothing beats waking up in Ibadan every morning for me and eating ogi with akara

mufutau55:


That is the only part that scares me... SECURITY.
I can handle everything else... but that above o.

Hajji M.

It’s real Sir and deserves a serious consideration.

We just do the best that we can and leave the rest to god.

I’m hopeful with this amotekun bs.