There is a saying that “home is where the heart is”. This affirms the truth that home is a place that is always desirable, a place that exists in the mind’s eye as much as in a physical location. Home, in essence, is a shelter providing an escape from the intrusions of the world.
However, regardless of economic condition of the nation and the citizens, research has shown that many are not just comfortable with living in “any kind of home”. This category of home seekers wants more than just four walls and a parking lot; they desire to live in the premium or what many call luxury homes. These home seekers place premium on security, health and privacy for their families.
- I’ll support whoever emerges as PDP candidate – Bala Mohammed
- Aftermath of resignation: Jostle begins for vacant ministerial positions
With the poor state of the economy, galloping inflation and falling value of the naira and associated effects on the fortunes of the nation, prices of luxury property have climbed steadily over the years.
However, there are still Nigerians who will not compromise their comfort and security for anything.
But disappointing is the fact that there are very few real estate development firms that can be trusted to deliver premium homes.
The desire to fill this vacuum and meet the yearnings of expatriates and Nigerians seeking luxury homes that combine high-class contemporary architectural designs with high-level finishes led to the birth of Lagos-based estate developing firm, Address Homes.
The Chairman of the company, Mr Bisi Onasanya, said the fundamental goal of the firm was to provide smart homes which could boast of the basic amenities that were reflective of global best property development practices.
He said, “We put up structures which we call homes; not houses. Homes that compete with the best that you can see outside the country, and yet, without getting you to break the bank in terms of being able to pay or affordability.
“We see people who want to relocate from abroad, Canada, UK and all of Europe, and there is a minimum standard of living that they are used to. They like to enter a home, and there are basic things they look out for; the type of environment they also like to see. We found that these were missing to some extent.”
In an interview with journalists during a tour of some of the projects owned by the company. the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of First Bank said he was satisfied with the success the company had recorded since it started six years ago, having stamped its authority in the luxury property market through the successful completion of 54 units of mid-luxury detached and semi-detached properties in Osapa London, 31 units of luxury homes at Ilasan, opposite Ikate, Lekki, Lagos, as well as the ongoing construction of two new home schemes christened “The Luxuria” by The Address Homes and Dan & Dan Apartments in Ikoyi and Banana Island.
He said, “For every single estate that we have built, we make sure that we do not just hand over the keys to you, we follow you and make sure we provide facilities management to make living in those estates very convenient and comfortable for you. We also provide guarantees of a minimum of five to 10 years on the structure so that if anything happens to the windows and doors, we take responsibility. We provide you with 24-hour electricity, CCTV, security, water and others.”
Onasanya noted that all of the firm’s construction projects were subjected to periodic integrity tests by the Lagos State Government to ensure compliance to set standards and also ensure standard for home buyers.
In terms of affordability, the realtor said the company offered flexible payment plans as its goal was to contribute to closing the housing deficit.