HOW DO I BUY LAND IN NIGERIA?

If you’re a Nigerian living abroad, you’ve probably wondered about the best way to buy land back home. It’s a question I get asked all the time, so here’s a helpful guide to get you started.

First, you need to understand that there are two main real estate sectors in Nigeria.

The informal and formal sectors. Each one operates differently, so knowing the key differences is crucial before making any land purchase.

THE INFORMAL SECTOR

The informal sector is largely controlled by indigenous landowners, many of whom don’t operate above board. Unfortunately, a good number of them are illiterate, sly, and often engage in fraudulent activities. One common scam in this sector is selling the same plot of land to multiple buyers, leaving people in legal disputes or financial losses.

So, how do they get away with this? The answer is simple.

Many Nigerians don’t do their due diligence when buying land. Before purchasing any property, it’s important to conduct a land search at the Surveyor General’s office or the Land Registry to confirm ownership and verify that the land is free of any legal disputes.

However, even after a land search, there are still challenges. In Nigeria, it’s common for land buyers to skip the step of perfecting their land titles. To cut costs, some people even forge documents, using backdated survey plans to make it look like the land is theirs. These shortcuts only open the door for fraud.

Despite these loopholes, conducting a thorough land search and perfecting your title is non-negotiable. It’s your responsibility to ensure the land you’re buying is legitimate. Make sure you avoid any backdated or questionable documents. And most importantly, get a qualified lawyer to guide you through the entire process. Don’t skimp on legal advice!

THE FORMAL SECTOR

On the other hand, the formal sector is where real estate companies, developers, realtors, and serious investors play. In this space, reputation is everything. No matter how big or small the real estate firm is, a bad reputation will make everyone avoid doing business with them.

The real power players in the formal sector are the developers. These developers have millions or even billions of naira invested in their estates, so they take their reputation and integrity seriously. Unlike indigenous landowners who might scam someone for 2 million naira and disappear, developers have too much at stake to risk their name over petty fraud.

When you buy land from a developer, you’re essentially buying peace of mind.

Developers have large, immovable investments in their estates, so it’s in their best interest to make sure everything is above board.

Then there are the realtors, the middlemen who connect buyers to developers. A good realtor knows the market inside and out—they know which developers have a solid reputation and which ones to avoid. They can advise you on the best locations to invest in, where you’ll see the greatest return on investment (ROI), and they can spot questionable land titles from a mile away.

That said, even when working with a reputable developer, it’s always smart to conduct your own land search to be completely sure.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When buying land in Nigeria, it’s important to follow these guidelines to avoid falling victim to land scams. Whether you’re buying from an indigenous landowner or a developer, due diligence is key. Always conduct a land search, perfect your land title, and work with a qualified lawyer.

Following these steps will help ensure that your property purchase is secure and stress-free.

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If this crosses your timeline,

My name is Hope David and I am a Real Estate Consultant.

You want to start your real estate journey today with a plot or more from our low ticket, middle ticket or the high ticket landed properties at your preferred location nationwide.

OR YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS/INVESTMENT? I'VE GOT LAND/ BUILDINGS THAT ARE FREE FROM ALL MANNER OF TROUBLE.

Call: 0703 350 8515 or send me a DM

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