Nigeria is a blessed country with several resources and beautiful structures. Compared to Western cultures, the country has its peculiar house types that aren't the regular Igloos, gingerbread and underground houses. Even though some parts of Nigeria have some of these western house types, they are not so common. The different house types in Nigeria come in different sizes, forms and shapes.
Even though housing trends have constantly evolved, the core of these buildings has remained. Without wasting much of your time, let's consider the common house types in Nigeria.
House Types in Nigeria
1. Bungalow
The bungalow is a common house type you will find in the nook and cranny of Nigerian communities. This house type is loved by many because of its rich blend of luxury, durability and economic construction price. Bungalows are usually one-storey building houses. Sometimes, bungalows come with a penthouse attached to it. These penthouses are usually a floor above the original floor of the building. Penthouses are small structures that can only accommodate one person.
Bungalows sometimes have some variations. There are situations in which certain Nigerians want to rent out a portion of their bungalow to another family. In such situations, they construct the bungalow with an attached building compartment having a separate entrance to house another family. This attachment could share the same roof with the main building but have a wall of partition. In such a case, the bungalow is called a semi-detached bungalow.
In other cases, the two bungalow compartments are completely separated. When such a case occurs, the structure is regarded as a detached compartment.
2. Duplex
When analyzing a duplex from the Western idea, it is assumed that duplexes house two or more families. However, Nigerian duplexes are different. In Nigeria, a duplex houses a single family. These buildings are stacked apartments on two different floors. Most times, they look like a building sharing a wall between two halves.
Just like the bungalow, duplexes could be semi-detached or detached. However, a main difference between the bungalow and duplex is that duplexes are a storey higher than bungalows. It is quite rare to find duplexes in rural areas. Most times, they are situated in urban areas and cities and could be a sign of the wealth of the owner.
3. Apartments or Flats
Apartments or flats are some of the most common apartment types in Nigeria. An apartment has several homes stacked beside or on top of each other. Each apartment has its essential amenities and living space.
When residing in an apartment, you have less privacy compared to other home styles. This is because you will need to share common areas like parking space, the compound environment and the playground. Aside from the reduced privacy, this housing option is one of the cheapest you can come by.
4. Mansions
A mansion is a big luxurious house that is built by the wealthy populace. Real estate experts believe mansions should occupy a minimum of 8,000 square feet of floor space. However, this is quite subjective. One of the major criteria for an apartment to be considered a mansion is that it is owned by an influential person. Additionally, it is to have exquisite finishing and portions or segments designated for leisure activities. Such segments could include a mini cinema, enormous swimming pools, outdoor and indoor sporting areas, library.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing a House Type in Nigeria
We are all different and so are our preferences concerning accommodation plans. However, preference is not enough when choosing an accommodation plan. The process requires careful evaluation and analysis. In this segment, we will examine important questions you need to ask before choosing from the house types in Nigeria
1. Size of Your Family
The size of your family plays a significant role in the house type you will construct in Nigeria. Your family size or projected family size influences the number of rooms and types of rooms you ought to have. While analyzing the size of your family, it is also important for you to factor in the hobbies and preferences of your family members. For example, a research oriented family will need a library and research room. On the other hand, a sports loving family may need to include outdoor room space for sporting activities.
2. Your Budget
How much is your budget? You don’t want to start building a house only to quit halfway. The only way to avoid this is by choosing a house type suitable for your budget. Before you start the building, get the cost of the materials and workmanship and compare these figures to the amount you are willing to spend.
3. Consider the Cost of Maintenance
Well maintained properties last longer than properties left to chance. Before choosing a house type, you need to consider the amount it will take to maintain the property when it is completed. Usually, larger houses require more maintenance costs than smaller compact structures. You need to be prepared to pay for these maintenance costs before you set out with the construction process.
4. The Building Materials
Quality materials cost more to acquire. However, they last longer than cheaper materials. Before the building process, you need to consider the material type the different house types will require. Can you afford and sustain these materials? Your answer to questions along these lines will determine the type of building you can build in Nigeria.
5. Professional Advice
Professional advice is a crucial part of selecting your preferred house type. Real estate agents and companies have years of experience in this field. Hence, they will be able to walk you through all you need to consider before choosing a house type. In Nigeria, there are several real estate agents you can work with. One such agent is Land Republic. At Land Republic, your well-being is our foremost concern. We are committed to getting you properties that meet your specific needs. While at it, we ensure you get a good return on your investment.
Reasons You Need Professional Advice When Choosing House Types in Nigeria
1. Real Estate Agents have Important Connections
Real estate agents have been in the field for a long, so they have gathered experience and lots of connections. They have the right contact for everything you need to get done in your apartment construction. Additionally, they have professionals that can work with your budget and give you top-notch services.
Working with a real estate agent solves the problem of working based on trial and error. When you work with the right real estate company, you can be sure your apartment will be completed within a short time frame. Aside from being completed in no time, it will be constructed with the best materials possible.
2. Working With a Real Estate Agent Takes Stress Off You
Managing multiple contractors could be very stressful. It will test your negotiation skills and drain you physically. When working with a real estate company, you can go to rest while they get to work. Your own part of the assignment will be checking up to ensure they got your preferences perfectly.
3. It Saves You Time
Home construction takes a significant amount of time. It requires attention, presence, critical observation and supervision. When working with a real estate agent, you get to have more time to do your own things. After all, they will do a better supervision job than you could. Moreover, real estate agents are out to represent you. They are licensed and will not want to jeopardize their credibility, so you can trust them to handle things well.
4. A Real Estate Agent Helps You Set the Right Expectations
Most times, it is easy to get carried away with the model and pictorial look, especially when it is your first time. A real estate agent will help you fine-tune your expectations when you are going overboard. They know the right things you ought to pay attention to and can help point your attention in that direction.
Real estate agents have been through the building process before. Hence, they help break down the implications of each stage and show you what you should be looking out for.
5. A Real Estate Agent Considers the Future During the Construction
Expert real estate agents consider the future of the building during the building process. They help give allowance for expansion of the building, future sales and other factors you may not have considered. Based on their understanding of home trends, they help you make the best design and upgrade choices that will profit the future.
Conclusion
Let us help you! Land Republic desires to see you thrive as a home owner. We are aware of the difficulties people face when trying to purchase a property. All these could be a walk in the park with our best-in-class property deal. As a global company with over 700 customer bases across the world, we know exactly what you need.
We are one call away, contact us via +2348122222283 and support@landrepublic.co.
