Risks in feasibility and viability appraisal process for property development and the investment market in Nigeria

Purpose - The feasibility and viability appraisal technique is becoming increasingly crucial in the planning systems, theory, applications and outputs for property development and project investments. This paper aims to account for the findings of the practices associated with risk in the feasibility and viability appraisal process. Also, it examines the need for a practical framework for conducting a feasibility and viability appraisal, which can be employed by estate surveyors and valuers in Nigeria Design/methodology/approach - This study adopted purposive sampling techniques to administer 240 sets of questionnaires, out of which 210 sets were well-thought-out to be useable for the analysis after data screening. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), structural equation modelling (SEM) and analysis of movement structures (AMOS) were the main analytical tools used to carry out the reliability test, normality test, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, measurement and structural model. Findings - The analysis results indicated that theP-values of the various forms of concepts of risks in feasibility and viability appraisal process (preparation) for property development and the investment market was statistically significant: technological factor - 0.000; political factor- 0.000 and economic factor- 0.000. However, a non-significant effect was found with socio-environmental factors on the preparation of housing development appraisal withP-value 0.155, and that risk management is neither holistically implemented in the feasibility and viability appraisal process nor extensively taken into cognisance. Research limitations/implications - This paper reports the results of the practices among estate surveyors and valuers in regarding the risk associated in the preparation stages of the feasibility and viability appraisal process Practical implications - There are limited studies that suggest risk management factors in the appraisal reports for property development. Although previous studies have identified the risk factors, there is a lack of emphasis on management, which entails identification, assessment, monitoring and control. This study, therefore, recommends the incorporation of risk management into the feasibility and viability appraisal process implemented by estate surveyors and valuers. It is envisaged that the process will protect investors from the potential risk factors associated with investments in property development. Originality/value - The study highlighted the need for practical or empirical research to be used to assess the significant risk factors that are needed to be reflected in the preparation stages of the feasibility and viability appraisal conduct of estate surveyors and valuers in Abuja, Nigeria.