How to Get Started in Real Estate Without Experience
- Zikan Realtors
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
Investing in real estate, even with zero prior exposure, is far more feasible than many believe. With deliberate strategy, mindset discipline, and the right tactical steps, beginners can build momentum quickly. In this guide, we walk you through how to get started in real estate without experience — from mindset shifts to first deals — anchored in both global best practices and insights from the Nigerian market.
1. Cultivate the Right Mindset & Foundations
Embrace a Learner’s Mentality
Every expert was once a novice. Begin by reading widely — books, trade journals, property blogs — about fundamentals: valuation, cash flow, legal frameworks, risk management, and deal structuring. Attend property conferences or webinars to absorb fresh perspectives and ask smart questions.
Define Clear, Measurable Goals
Don’t drift. Ask: Do I want monthly cash flow, long-term appreciation, or short-term flips? What is my timeframe? What level of risk do I tolerate? Having clarity on your destination will shape your route.
Assess Your Financial Position
Even with limited capital, understanding your liquidity, creditworthiness, debt load, and ability to service debt is critical. This gives a boundary for what kinds of deals you can realistically pursue.
2. Learn Without Doing: Education & Exposure
Take Short, Practical Courses
You don’t need a full degree. Enrol in online or in-person courses on property investment, real estate law, deal modelling, or even real estate accounting. These provide structure and discipline, and give you language to speak intelligently with professionals.
Shadow or Assist an Experienced Investor
Offer to help a seasoned investor or developer with research, due diligence, site visits, or administrative tasks. In exchange for a few hours of your effort, you gain exposure to real-world decisions, mistakes, and mental models.
Join Real Estate Communities & Forums
Online circles (e.g. investment forums, WhatsApp groups, real estate associations) are treasure troves of deal notices, critique, and partnerships. These groups often share pre-vetted opportunities you’d never see on your own.
3. Start with Low-Barrier Strategies
Wholesaling / Deal Sourcing
Here you identify undervalued properties, contract them, then assign the purchase contract to another investor for a fee. You never actually own the asset. This is one of the lowest capital routes into “real estate” because your value is in sourcing, negotiation, and structuring, not fronting all the money.
Joint Ventures & Partnerships
Partner with someone who brings capital or construction capacity, while you bring effort, sourcing acumen, or time. Many successful first deals are 50-50 or 30-70 splits. Be transparent about roles, risks, and exit plans.
Rent-to-Own / Lease Options
Negotiate a deal where you lease with an option to purchase later. A portion of your monthly payments can count toward the purchase. This gives time and optionality without needing full equity up front.
Micro or Bridging Loans / Seller Financing
Negotiate with sellers to accept staggered payments or bridge financing. In some markets, private lenders may underwrite short-term loans for property transactions if the deal has proven upside.
Fractional Ownership / Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
If local REITs or fractional real estate funds exist (especially in Nigeria), invest in small parcels of property risk through these vehicles. It’s not a direct deal, but it builds your muscle, your track record, and capital. (PiggyVest Blog)
4. Execute Your First Deal: Checklist
Focus on High-Momentum Markets
Look for areas under infrastructure expansion, demand growth, or government policy focus. These tend to appreciate faster, making early errors more forgiving.
Run Conservative Pro Forma Models
Always build worst-case, base-case, and optimistic scenarios. Stress test for vacancy, capex, interest rate increases. If it still works in the worst case, it’s worth pursuing.
Do Rigorous Due Diligence
Verify title, survey, planning permissions, liens, taxes — do not shortcut this. In Nigeria especially, many deals unravel due to faulty documentation.
Negotiation & Structuring
Be creative: offer earnest money deposits, escrow arrangements, contingencies, or performance-based payments. Structure your deal so downside is limited.
Exit Strategy from Day Zero
Know your exit before you enter: will you flip, refinance, rent, or sell? Don’t assume markets or funding conditions remain benign.
5. Scale, Refine & Institutionalise
Build Repeatable Systems
Once your first deal is done, document every step: sourcing, due diligence template, checklists, contracts. You want a process, not ad hoc chaos.
Raise Capital & Expand Team
Use your first successful deal as proof to approach private investors or partners. Hire or outsource tasks (legal, accounting, property management) so you focus on high-value moves.
Branding & Deal Flow Pipeline
Position yourself as an authority: publish case studies, content, videos on “How to Get Started in Real Estate Without Experience,” advertise in local channels, speak at investment clubs. This brings inbound, more qualified leads and partners.
Build a Balanced Portfolio
Over time diversify across property types (residential, commercial, land) and locations to buffer against market cycles.
Real estate is not a lottery ticket — it’s about compounding advantage through disciplined action. Even if you begin with zero deals, you can build legitimacy, competence, and capital over time.
Ready to get your feet wet? At Zikan Prop Solutions, we specialise in bridging between new investors and properly vetted real estate opportunities in Lagos. Contact us today to review potential starter deals, get a personalised investment assessment, or join our next beginner’s masterclass in real estate investing.
🏢 Zikan Prop Solutions
🥇 Certified Real Estate Consultant | Multi Award-Winning Realtor
Helping you make the best real estate purchase & investment decisions.
📱 +234 703 000 3514
📲 IG: @zikanpropsolutions
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