Buying property is exciting, but without due diligence it can turn into your worst financial mistake. Learn the beginner’s checklist and discover how Navigator Real Estate Limited protects clients from hidden risks.Buying property is one of the most significant financial decisions anyone can make. It is more than an exchange of money for land or a house, it is the foundation of future security, wealth, and legacy. Yet, every year, many first-time buyers and even seasoned investors fall into costly traps because they skip one critical step: due diligence.

At 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱, we have walked clients through this process countless times. We know the excitement of property ownership can be overwhelming, and we also know how important it is to pause and ask the right questions before signing anything.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲?

Due diligence is the careful investigation you do before buying property to confirm that everything about the deal is as it appears. Think of it as lifting the curtain to see the real story behind the land, the title, the seller, and even the location.

It involves verifying legal ownership, checking regulatory approvals, reviewing land documents, assessing risks, and ensuring you are not buying into a dispute, a government-acquired plot, or a property with hidden debts.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

• 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆: Real estate is capital-intensive. Skipping verification could mean losing your savings or loans to fraud.

• 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱: A property with clean documentation saves you from sleepless nights and future litigation.

• 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀: From fake deeds to unpaid land charges, due diligence brings problems to light before you inherit them.

• 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: A verified property has stronger resale value and attracts better financing opportunities.

𝗔 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

If you are considering buying property, here are the essential steps:

1. 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

• Ask for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Deed of Assignment, or Governor’s Consent, depending on the type of property.

• Confirm their authenticity at the land registry.

2. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

• Ensure the person or company selling the property has the legal right to do so.

• Watch out for cases where multiple people claim ownership.

3. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝘀𝗲

• Review the survey plan to confirm boundaries.

• Ensure the land is not under government acquisition or reserved for public use.

4. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀

• Check if the property is being used as collateral or has unpaid loans, taxes, or levies attached to it.

5. 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

• Visit the property. Look at accessibility, flooding risks, neighborhood infrastructure, and development prospects.

6. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀

• Work with professionals who understand property law and local regulations.

• A trusted real estate firm saves you time, stress, and potential loss.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻

For over a decade, Navigator Real Estate Limited has guided individuals, families, and investors through the maze of Nigeria’s real estate market. Our team is built on three core promises:

• 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: We verify every document and every claim before presenting a property to our clients.

• 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲: With a deep understanding of market dynamics and regulatory frameworks, we help clients invest with confidence.

• 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: From site inspection to title verification and final purchase, we stand by you at every step.

We know the market can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. That is why we act as navigators, helping you chart a safe course to genuine, profitable, and stress-free property ownership.

Property ownership should be a source of joy, not regret. The difference lies in whether you take the time for due diligence. As you consider your next property, let us help you do it right.

Connect with 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 today and let’s make your property dreams a secure reality.

+234 911 742 3323

[email protected]