Assessment of Residential Property Values in Enugu Urban Metropolis

This study assesses the factors influencing residential property values in Enugu Urban Metropolis, Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Rapid urbanisation and population growth have intensified housing demand in Enugu, creating significant variations in property values across neighbourhoods that are not always well understood by buyers, sellers, and planning authorities. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, drawing on structured questionnaires administered to 150 registered estate surveyors, developers, and property owners across five selected residential neighbourhoods: GRA, Independence Layout, Achara Layout, Trans Ekulu, and Coal Camp. Data collected cover structural characteristics, locational attributes, neighbourhood quality indicators, and recent transaction prices. Multiple regression analysis was applied to identify the relative contribution of each factor to property value. Findings indicate that proximity to essential services, road access quality, neighbourhood security, and building condition are the most influential determinants of residential property values across the sampled neighbourhoods. GRA commands significantly higher values due to superior infrastructure and security, while Coal Camp shows the lowest values attributable to inadequate utility services and proximity to the old colliery. The study also identifies inconsistencies in property valuation methods applied by registered valuers, with some relying primarily on the sales comparison approach without adequate adjustment for qualitative differences. Recommendations include developing a comprehensive residential property price index for Enugu and standardising valuation practice through the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers' continuing professional development programme. Keywords: residential property values, property valuation, urban real estate, Enugu, neighbourhood characteristics.