How to Secure Reliable Realtors and Developers While You're in Nigeria for the Holidays
- Zikan Realtors
- Dec 16, 2025
- 5 min read
Every December, Nigeria experiences a spike in real-estate activity because thousands of diaspora Nigerians return home. It’s the month when developers launch new projects, agents push inventory aggressively, and deals close fast.
But it’s also the month when the most property scams, impersonations, and rushed decisions happen. Why? Because diaspora buyers typically have:
Limited time
High urgency
Higher budgets
Emotional pressure to secure something before flying back
This guide helps you avoid the mistakes that cost many diaspora investors millions, and instead find verified, reliable, professional realtors and developers.
Understand the Types of Real-Estate Professionals You’ll Meet in December
When you arrive in Nigeria, you’ll encounter 4 categories:
1️⃣ Certified Realtors (Professionals)
These are licensed, registered, trained consultants.They:
Perform due diligence
Understand documentation
Can verify developers
Offer advisory, not just sales
Work with registered companies
Provide receipts, agreements & proper documentation
This is who you want.
2️⃣ Mandated Sales Consultants (Semi-Professional)
Often attached to a developer but not fully trained.They have access to legitimate inventory but lack advisory depth.They can be used only when backed by a reputable developer.
3️⃣ “Hustling Agents” (Risky)
They appear everywhere during December — at bars, malls, taxi ranks, airports, even family gatherings.They:
Have no license
Cannot verify titles
Do not represent a company
Have no office or structure
Operate on commission alone
Will never be traceable if something goes wrong
Avoid them at all costs.
4️⃣ Scammers (Very Active in December)
They target diaspora Nigerians by:
Posing as developers
Creating fake websites
Selling land already sold
Offering “holiday discounts” that don’t exist
Using urgency to pressure buyers
Rule of thumb:If someone is pushing you to “pay now before price increases tomorrow,” walk away.
How to Verify a Realtor Before You Even Land in Nigeria
Diaspora Nigerians should always run a Pre-Arrival Background Check. Here’s how:
✔ Step 1: Ask for Their Full Company Profile
Request:
Registered company name
CAC registration number
Office address
Company email (not Gmail or Yahoo)
Staff names & ID numbers
Search the CAC portal yourself:https://search.cac.gov.ng/
If the company does not appear — run.
✔ Step 2: Request Their Professional Affiliation
Nigeria has real estate regulatory bodies such as:
REDAN
NIESV
ARCON (for architects)
CORBON (for builders)
While not all realtors must be members, serious ones often are.
✔ Step 3: Request Links to Their Online Presence
A reliable realtor or developer will have:
Active website
Google Business profile
Social media with traceable staff
Customer testimonials
Project history
Videos & property tours
If they cannot provide this within 2 minutes, they’re not established.
The 10-Point On-Ground Verification Checklist (Use This When You Arrive in December)
When you meet the realtor physically, here’s how to evaluate them instantly.
1. Office Visit Is Mandatory
Never rely on hotel lobby meetings.A legitimate company has a real office, receptionist, staff & structure.
2. Request to Meet 2–3 Senior Team Members
Scammers cannot produce staff.Real firms can.
3. Ask for Ongoing Projects
A serious developer or realtor has:
At least one current project
Site engineers
Documentation
A verifiable construction schedule
4. Ask Directly: “Who Is Your Assigned Lawyer?”
Every legitimate developer has a retained law firm.Scammers don’t.
5. Ask for 10 Recent Clients (Not Just 2)
Contact them privately to confirm legitimacy.
6. Ask to Visit Their Completed Projects
Completed projects prove capacity.View:
Finishing quality
Drainage
Layout
Infrastructure
Access roads
7. Confirm Land Titles Personally
Realtor must provide:
C of O
Governor’s Consent
Gazette
Excision
Registered Survey
Then verify at the land registry — never rely on photocopies.
8. Check If the Developer Provides Insurance or Guarantees
Professional developers often offer:
Building warranty
Structural guarantee
Payment plan protection
Handover timeline commitment
9. Ask for a Full Project Financial Breakdown
A transparent realtor gives you:
Price
Development levy
Documentation fees
Survey fees
Agreement fees
Infrastructure charges
Scammers hide actual costs until later.
10. Test Their Knowledge
Ask questions like:
“Explain the land title hierarchy in Lagos.”
“What is the difference between excision and gazette?”
“What is the due-diligence process before buying in Lekki?”
A professional will answer confidently.
Warning Signs You’re About to Get Scammed (Holiday Edition)
Here are the biggest December red flags:
⚠ They insist on immediate payment because price “will increase tomorrow.”⚠ They refuse to show you the office.⚠ They cannot produce previous clients.⚠ The “MD” of the company is never available.⚠ They want you to pay into personal accounts.⚠ They avoid documentation conversations.⚠ They only show you land at odd hours to hide encroachment.⚠ They cannot explain the title history.⚠ They offer “estate” land where no proper layout exists.⚠ They avoid giving a receipt or acknowledgement letter.
If you see 2–3 of these, run immediately.
How Reliable Developers Operate (What Good Looks Like)
A legitimate developer will always:
✔ Provide full title documents upfront✔ Allow you to bring your own lawyer✔ Take you to existing projects✔ Offer verifiable payment channels✔ Use escrow or corporate accounts✔ Provide layout maps, survey plans & approvals✔ Give structured payment options✔ Offer after-sales support✔ Document every stage of the transaction
This is the minimum standard you should expect.
Why Diaspora Nigerians Lose Money: The 4 Common Traps
Trap 1: Emotional Pressure
Buying because a family member says “this is a good deal.”
Trap 2: Rushed Decisions
Trying to buy within a 2-week holiday.
Trap 3: Trusting Untrained “Agents”
Not everyone selling real estate is a realtor.
Trap 4: Not Doing Due Diligence Early
Many wait until the last 3 days of their trip, then rush.
How Zikan Prop Solutions Protects Diaspora Buyers
Zikan Prop Solutions is built specifically to solve diaspora risks:
✔ Verified developers only
✔ Zero-scam policy
✔ Documentation support
✔ On-ground inspection escort
✔ Due-diligence team
✔ Clear payment channels
✔ Legal advisory
✔ Transparent communication
This is why diaspora clients trust us year after year.
Conclusion
When you return home this December, you’ll meet all types of real-estate actors — but only a few are trained, certified, structured, and trustworthy.Follow this guide and you’ll avoid 95% of the traps waiting for diaspora investors.The right realtor changes everything: your safety, your confidence, your financial outcome.
🏢 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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