What Is Joint Venture? 

A joint venture is a business arrangement where two or more parties work together on a common goal. Each party in a joint venture agrees to put their resources together on a particular project. The resource could be in form of knowledge, expertise, or tangible and intangible assets.

A joint venture in real estate is a system where two or more entities partner together on a real estate project which could range from building residential and commercial properties to erecting social infrastructures.

Commonly in real estate joint ventures, one party may be in charge of providing the land to build on while the other party manages the funding and execution of the project from start to finish. Both parties operate on a pre-agreed term to determine how profit is shared at the end of the venture project.

In Nigeria, joint venture collaborations are now a common practice amongst property developers and landowners. Some landowners who have properties in highbrow or developing neighborhoods with a growing population and housing demand prefer to enter joint venture agreements with developers as a way of preserving the asset and generating income through it.

Benefits Of Joint Venture:

1. Each entity in a joint venture agreement enjoys the services or resources of the other party at little to no extra cost. Landowners can have their property developed at no extra cost to them and they still get part ownership of the finished project.
2. Joint ventures make it relatively faster and easier to execute large-scale building projects to meet ever-growing housing demand. 
3. Joint ventures are great for building brand equity. Entering a joint venture agreement with the government or a renowned company with a strong reputation can be a great way to increase brand awareness and authority in the market.

Investing is a financial practice that involves putting money in financial schemes, ventures, or assets with an expectation to make a profit on the invested capital. It is arguably impossible to achieve financial security and freedom without investing.

There are thousands of investment opportunities to choose from in today’s world, depending on your level of financial literacy, risk averseness, and budget. These investment vehicles range from low-risk to high-risk investment vehicles. Land banking is among the relatively low-risk investment opportunities with a potential for high returns.

Land banking is one of the oldest real estate investment practices where investors buy small or large quantities of undeveloped land, intending to profit from the resale of the land. Simply put, investors seek out land in underdeveloped neighborhoods and bank it until there’s substantial infrastructural development or population growth in the area before selling it for a higher price or developing it to meet the growing housing demand.

Land banking can be a good bet when running on a low budget. However, as profitable as land banking is, there are some significant challenges and risks that you need to look out for and avoid to ensure the security of your investment.

In most developing countries, a change in government policies can prohibit certain forms of development on the land, which could, in turn, affect the resale value of the land. Likewise, environmental issues like erosion and flooding can significantly depreciate the value of the land if they persist for an extended period. The land may become too damaged to build on, and the cost of repairing the land may be higher than the invested capital and potential profit combined. The land may become completely inhabitable in these cases unless the government intervenes.

In some countries, land banks are constantly threatened by land grabbers who impersonate the original landowners and resell the same land to different people. Such lands may be under litigation for many years, and the cost for hiring lawyers over time might exceed the value of the land itself.

In order to avoid unpleasant situations when investing in a land banking scheme, it is essential to do your due diligence. Consider hiring a lawyer to research and confirm the legality of the land under consideration and ensure that there are legal documents and contracts to back the transaction.

Drylands have a lower risk of flooding.  If you can, limit your investments to drylands unless you are sure that you can afford the cost of repairing and restoring swampy land.
Although land banking has its challenges, the potential value and benefit far outshines the risks and makes it a worthy investment vehicle to consider.
Investors can make huge returns on the value appreciation of the land. Some government projects or policies can lead to rezoning, municipal expansions, rapid infrastructural development, and industrialization, all catalysts for value appreciation and increased demand.

Contrary to popular opinion that real estate demands a high starting capital, land banking schemes generally require a relatively low starting capital. You can start on a low budget and still enjoy good profit on your invested capital.

One of the significant benefits of land banking is its contribution to a positive credit score and the leverage it offers an investor. You can gain access to loan schemes to invest in other investment vehicles or start a venture by using your land as collateral, and at the same time, you can lease out the land pending the time it will appreciate enough to sell off. This is one of the reasons why land banking is a recommendable starting point for young and new investors.

To get expert help to start your profitable land banking investment journey in Nigeria, send an email to marketing@dradrockng.com. You will be connected with an experienced property advisor that can take you through a seamless investment journey.

One of the best assets to own is unarguably real estate, and many of the world’s most renowned millionaires have at one point, or the other used real estate as a vehicle to earn passive income and simultaneously secure their wealth.

Most people shy away from real estate investments because of the general perception that real estate is expensive to own. While real estate has a higher entry price compared to stocks and bonds, there are still several easy ways to kick start your journey as a real estate investor without breaking the bank.

Here are three simple ways to invest in real estate on a budget:

• Invest in co-ownership schemes: Co-ownership is an investment scheme that standard real estate development companies usually offer. The scheme enables two or more investors to contribute funds to acquire a single rental property. A facility manager is assigned to manage the property and share the rental returns amongst the co-owners of the property. This investment strategy can be done with friends.

Learn more about our co-ownership offers here.

• Get a mortgage plan: Good old mortgage is a great option to consider when you have a low budget. In Nigeria, most federal institutions provide mortgage support for staff members. If you work in the private sector, you can encourage your human resources personnel to include mortgage support in the employee welfare packages or join a cooperative society that offers mortgage loans to members.
• Request for a flexible payment plan: Many notable real estate developers offer flexible payment plans on lands and rental properties to remove the pressure of one-off payments. When you find a suitable property, you can negotiate for a personalized, flexible payment plan and pay for the property in bits. Some real estate companies offer up to 24 months payment plans.

Explore hot property offers with flexible payment plans here.

Real estate investing is a great way to take up your finances and set yourself up for financial independence. If you are just getting started, speak with an experienced property advisor that can set you on the right track and save you the cost of falling for scams or making critical investment mistakes.

Send an email to marketing@dradrockng.com to book a meeting with any of our experienced property advisors.

A home is a place where we feel the most at peace, create beautiful memories, and nurture a healthy and loving family. Choosing a home is not only one of the most significant financial commitments you may have to make but also a significant life decision. As they say, the environment plays a crucial role in shaping the child, so when choosing a home, it is essential to consider an environment that can give you the kind of lifestyle you want for your family.

There are several factors to consider before deciding on a family home, but here are some major ones to look out for:

• Security: There’s no greater luxury than peace of mind, and your family deserves that luxury. In Nigeria, gated communities and family homes within estates have considerably higher security measures to ensure the safety of life and property within those communities. You should consider getting your family home in one of such communities.

• Location: Beyond just your immediate needs, the location of your family home can have a significant influence on your lifestyle and your child’s character development. Children who grow up in urban communities in Nigeria tend to have better exposure with improved social and analytical skills. Also, the location can affect the resale value of your home in the future if you decide to move to another city or a bigger property.

• Access: You deserve a home where everything you need is within your reach. From your workplace to school for your kids, fast food outlets and 5-star restaurants, recreational centers and resorts, hospitals, and shopping malls, your family home should keep you connected to all essential parts of town and your loved ones.
• Facilities: The facilities within or around your home can go from adding an extra layer of comfort to giving you a resort-living experience. Gone are the days of boring family homes with basic facilities and amenities. These days, family homes are expected to have some elements of luxury and recreational space ranging from children’s playgrounds to swimming pools, tennis lawns, basketball courts, gyms, etc. Having these facilities around you gives you many opportunities for family bonding activities and memorable moments.

In conclusion, choosing a family home doesn’t have to be an arduous task. You can spice up the process and make it more fun by involving every member of your family. Find the right home for your family now. Check for available luxury properties here