It’s necessary to establish an abode for oneself as preparation towards marriage and safety Needs. However there are primary requirements one has to meet to be able to secure a plot of land without issues.

These are key things one has to note:

1. Situated in Popular Areas. Some plots of land in popular locations may have several interested buyers which triggers some selfish owners to bait several interested persons. Some other imposters may also use pictures of it to scam buyers because it’s at an attractive location,this could create litigation issues.
2. It’s Surrounded by Houses.
   Places surrounded by houses without development May be owned by people outside the country or out of town, as a result, some impostors try using their absence as an opportunity to make money from such places and not because it’s a free land available for sale, you may buy such a place without anyone reacting because the owners are far Away but at a point you’ll be forced to pull down your building when they come down with relevant documents.
3. It Has uncompleted Structures.
   Some buildings have been abandoned with uncompleted Structures because of probability of litigation issues prompting a court order or order by the District Assembly of the area, there could also be a halt by a Chief or landlord of the area over multiple issues, such places may look attractive to buy but bear in mind that some impostors may be planning to transfer problems to you because it’s easy to convince you as a result of the attractive nature of the location.
4. It Has Building Materials: When a plot of land is occupied with materials such as Stones, Sand, Molded Blocks, Gravel etc, it should give you a signal that someone was on the land, it’s possible he or she has faced challenges there or is about to start a project there, that should draw your attention to caution rather than thinking it’s an opportunity to claim the place. Most owners of such places are either outside the country or region or are Late whilst their families are thinking of a better way of developing the structure.
5. It’s Fenced: Several people have taught of a simpler way of securing their plot of land and one way to do that is to fence it, owners of such places do that whilst thinking of better development ideas or have traveled outside the Region or country on some assignments, don’t think it’s an avenue to claim an affordable plot. The owners may have documents or witnesses.
6. Has an old planted Tree like Mango, Pawpaw, Orange, Coconut, etc. Trees are clear Indications that there is someone who has put a mark on his property and in order to send a message to encroachers. A Tree like Mango, pawpaw etc won’t easily grow at a spot without someone watering or managing it. That place is certainly owned by someone and documents should be made available with an ID card to authenticate Ownership before you can think of buying such a place.
7. Flagged Red by Lands Commission – There some areas that may not be recommended by Lands Commission when you go to inquire about a plot of Land, some of these places may have some extended families battling over it’s ownership stretching the issue beyond the family to court. Be cautious with plots of land situated in areas with too many extended families. Such areas May not be recommended as safe to acquire by the lands commission however if you need that land by all cost, you need to meet all those family heads even if they are 5 and compensate all of them for the land to be yours.

Finally, it’s Safe to buy plots of land at outskirts of Town with little competition rather than seeking areas within settlements, at most you can get them Within or close to developing communities with positive credit scores by assessing the lifestyle of people within those communities, areas with more farmers tend to have more honest people.

Source: Tuorimuo Elvis Philip/Contributor.
Master of Education in Counseling Psychology