Home inspections in Lagos is an important step in the real estate journey. Lagos as we know is a major city where people buy houses in Nigeria. This is the point where the prospective buyer examines the condition of the property before concluding the purchase.
Red flags are warning signs of imminent danger. In this case, red flags to look out for during house inspections in Lagos city are those signs of problems you could face when you buy or rent a house in Lagos.
Sometimes, it is easy to get carried away with the aesthetics and the general beauty of the house because of the excitement that comes with getting a new house. This could make you pay little attention to the details of the house underneath the aesthetics. This article serves as a guide on what else you should be paying attention to.
Home Inspections in Lagos Checklist
Insects and Pests: This red flag is most times overlooked even though it is a big issue. Insects and pests; especially wood-eating pests can over time weaken the core of a house by eating at it. Pests like termites, beetles and carpenter ants can eat away the long-term value of a house, which is why you must be proactive in looking out for them at the home inspection stage.
Watch out for any hollowed or damaged wood, frass or termite droppings and dry wood. Simply put, if you see anything as much as small piles of tiny brown droppings on the floor or anywhere else then there are definitely pests in the house.
Water/Drainage problems: It is a known fact that water and construction materials do not mix. So if for any reason you see yellowish or brownish water stains it may be evidence of a plumbing problem from a leaky roof or window. Poor drainage is something that isn’t always easily detected. An obvious sign of poor drainage is pooling water and overflowing gutters, this is a red flag that should be watched out for.
There are a number of areas in Lagos where water enters the residents’ houses wreaking havoc especially when it rains. You do not want your house to fall in this category so when looking out for red flags during house inspections in Lagos, check out for signs of water intrusion.
Also look at the location, if the area is prone to flooding you might want to rethink your decision. It is also advisable to go for home inspections in Lagos during the rainy season if possible.
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Electrical wiring issues: Electrical wiring remains one of the major causes of fires in residential homes which is why it is an important red flag to look out for during home inspections in Lagos. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to go along with an electrical engineer who would check out the electrical wires and make sure there are no signs of exposed wires so as to reduce risk of electrocution.
Structural problems: The need to check the overall structural integrity of a house before you buy it cannot be overemphasized. Many buildings have collapsed in Lagos because of this issue therefore it is a good idea to examine the building, look for cracks and signs that the building does not have structural defects.
Sloppy floors, damaged tiles, defective roofs are also problems that should be looked at as red flags during home inspections in Lagos.
Poor Neighborhood/Environment: Apart from checking out the house it is a very good idea to check out the environment of the neighbourhood in which the house is located. Poor neighbourhood or environment is also a red flag to consider during house inspections in Lagos.
Check to see if you can hear the neighbours. Can you hear traffic noise from inside? Some apartments near main roads can be very noisy. Try to inspect the property at different times of day to get a feel for noise levels. Also, check for basic amenities, Are the roads motorable? Is there clean water supply, is there a market close by? Knowing all these beforehand would help you decide how to plan your stay if you go ahead to get the property.
