How many times have you had to lose money in a very painful way no matter how little? Even if it is just 50,000 Uganda shillings, it bites and flogs so does land fraud. Now imagine losing millions of your hard-earned money, by falling victim to fraudsters. No land, no money. Gosh that must hurt, something you’ll never forget in a hurry.
Well, here are top tips to avoiding being scammed in a land deal.
- Don’t Be in a Rush:
One of the usual tactics scam agents deploy is that they try to rush you. Now, this is designed to place you under the mindset that the offer is for a very limited time. This makes you think that if you don’t pounce in good time, you might lose out on the deal. Scam. A good deal is not worth rushing. No matter how mouth-watering a deal is, the agent or property owner needs to give you ample time to evaluate your choices, and else it is not worth it.
As long as you have not paid for a land, the scam is not yet successful. So we advise that you should always hold on to your money. Also buy yourself as much time as you need to verify the owner’s numerous claims. Don’t allow the owner rush you. Give explanation that you need to carry out due diligence before you make payment. Let the property owner know that you do not like being pressured into making important decisions.
- Never Make Payment For a Land You Have Not Inspected:
A physical inspection of a land you are interested in incredibly important. Never put yourself in a situation where you have to pay for a land that you have not inspected. Some people might take such a risk due to pressure or assurance from the scam agent. The buyer might be lucky but this increases the chances of getting into a land fraud. Before you pay for any land at all, you must carry out an inspection of the property. An inspection lets you know how much value you are getting for your money. In a situation where you are outside Uganda and you want to inspect a land, send someone whose judgement you fully trust. This person can carry out an inspection on your behalf.
- Cheap Land Should Raise Flags:
Buying land is not cheap. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Land in Uganda can be affordable but not cheap. For instance, if a seller tries to sell land to you at a price that is ridiculously cheap, tread with caution. If a land is listed at an excessively cheap price, it is probably fraudulent. One of the factors that determine how much a land sells for is its location. This explains why a plot of land in say Muyenga is more expensive than the same land space in Bwaise.
The only exception to cheap land is when the owner is someone you have a personal relationship with. For example, a wealthy uncle/aunt could sell a plot of land at a giveaway price.
- Get Help From a Real Estate Expert:
The safest way to avoid land fraud is to work with a professional real estate agent. Let an expert guide you with his/her wealth of experience within the real estate space. A reliable property expert will ensure you get the best value for your money. Many of the things to look out for before buying land will be provided by the real estate expert. And this is where entities like Amity Realtors Ltd come in.
Our Final Thoughts on Land Fraud
In addition to the tips we have shared, when buying land, avoid paying minus getting record of what you’re paying for. Always ensure your payment can be traced.
Finally, when buying land, ask for a receipt. On the receipt, ensure ‘payment for land’ is boldly written on it.
