Buy-to-let: Investing as wealth-creating strategy

Though buy-to-let is not very common in Nigeria, it is one of the most traditional and safest ways of investing in real estate. As the market begins to show signs of rebounding based on the volume of enquiries reported by marketing and leasing agents, it is pertinent to remind investors of the many benefits of investing in real estate.

People make investments for various reasons, but according to Fine and Country, an international realty firm, there are five basic reasons to make investing in real estate a major part of wealth strategy.

The first of such reasons is that landlords earn passive income freeing up time to pursue other passions and businesses. Again, real estate appreciates over the long term and acts as a hedge against inflation. Udo Okonjo, the company’s CEO/Vice Chair, explains that real estate is not a fly-by-night investment option, adding that it is an excellent retirement platform for saving and building retirement savings without erosion of value.

Furthermore, investing in real estate is a good decision to make because it is safe, solid and secure. “Only extreme national or international disasters can affect it”, Okonjo posits, pointing out that real estate is the only investment that makes the investor a lord over his circumstances, hence the term ‘land-lord’. “The investor actually has control over enhancing its value”, she stressed.

The company has, on special offer, excellent real estate investment opportunities with high yields for investors with the right vision and an understanding of the term ‘Real Estate Gold’. There is a one-bed Buy-to-Let Investment Grade A property that delivers a higher than normal yield irrespective of the market.

The property is centrally located in Victoria Island within a modern new development with all the bells and whistles. It is offered fully fitted and finished to high specifications at $350,000 with a 10 percent rental guarantee paid upon completion for first year.

On offer also is an unbeatable 5-dedroom all-ensuite pent-house in excess of 500 square metres with a massive discount at approximately 40 percent below current market value. This deal won’t be repeated and tenants are therefore advised to act quickly. It comes fully fitted and finished to exact standards. The property is an excellent grade A corporate rental investment and also ideal for a C level owner occupier. It is higher than normal rental yield for a penthouse.

Available also is an approximately 2000 square metre-plot of lakefront land in Twin Lakes, arguably Nigeria’s top residential lifestyle gated estate, with infrastructure built by Julius Berger. Developed by Chevron Closed Pension Fund to the highest international standards, this understated well positioned residential enclave is a hidden gem amongst the well travelled investors who understand the value of well planned communities with lifestyle enhancing features such as the man-made Twin Lakes after which the estate takes its iconic name.

One6 Temple, a brand new prime office space in the heart of Ikoyi, is also on offer. It is strategically located at the intersection of two major roads—Kingsway Road and Olu Holloway Road. Another brand new office space is on offer. It is called Post Square, specially designed for corporate organizations and professional firms. It is a new landmark that offers flexible office spaces on 14 floors, to suit the ever changing, dynamic needs of fast growing organizations.

CHUKA UROKO