FACTORS INFLUENCING DEVELOPMENT OF ICT IN REAL ESTATE SURVEYING AND VALUATION PRACTICE IN OWERRI, IMO STATE

BY ESV. CHRISTY C. IGWE                                                                                                   

This study analyzed the factors influencing deployment of ICT in real estate surveying and valuation practice in Owerri, Imo state. The study examined the impact of ICT application in real estate surveying and valuation practice, the extent to which ICT has been adopted for effective delivery of real estate services, the level of ICT adherence in contemporary real estate surveying  and valuation practice, the critical factors that impact the effective deployment of ICT in real estate surveying and how the resources of ICT can be effectively harnessed to improve real estate surveying and valuation practice in the study area.

The study adopted descriptive survey method for collecting data. The entire population of 125 registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Owerri, Imo state were sampled. Questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection from the respondents. Observation and oral interview were also applied.

The data collected was analyzed using frequency distribution table and simple percentage while hypothesis was tested using chi- square statistical formula. The study revealed that the application of ICT have effect on contemporary real estate surveying and valuation practice.

ICT are effectively adopted for delivery of real estate services to a very high extent in Owerri, Imo state. ICT are used in the estate firm for preparing letters, reports and other documents, sourcing property, sending of mails and advertising of properties. The use of ICT in real estate increases productivity of staff, enhances quality of customer services, and saves time in the organization. The major factor that impacts the effective development of ICT in real estate practice in Owerri were revealed to include lack of basic knowledge of ICT by estate surveyors and valuers , high cost of purchasing ICT equipment, unavailability of finance for ICT installation and poor power supply.

The study recommended among others that ICT can be effectively harnessed to improve the contemporary real estate surveying and valuation practice through mainstreaming a robust ICT topic/programmed into estate management curriculum, creating awareness of the use of ICT through seminars, symposia, MCPD and workshops and by government providing incentives to real estate firms to equip themselves with the latest technologies.