07/09/2026
STOP ASKING “HOW MUCH IS THE LAND?”
Start asking, “WHAT AM I ACTUALLY BUYING?”
A ₦5 million plot with a bad title is not a bargain.
It is a ₦5 million problem.
And this is where many property buyers get it wrong.
They inspect the location.
They negotiate the price.
They ask for the seller’s account number.
Then they pay.
The questions that should have come first are often ignored.
Before you buy land, ask these 7 questions:
1. WHO LEGALLY OWNS THIS LAND?
Don't rely on verbal assurances.
Find out who owns the land and whether the person selling has the legal authority to sell it.
2. WHAT DOCUMENTS SUPPORT THE TITLE?
Ask to see the relevant title and ownership documents.
Don't assume a receipt, allocation letter or other document automatically proves ownership.
3. HAS THE TITLE BEEN INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED?
This is where you separate due diligence from trust.
Don't verify the property only through the person selling it.
Carry out the appropriate official searches and have the documents reviewed by a qualified property lawyer.
4. DOES THE SURVEY MATCH THE ACTUAL LAND?
The land you inspect should correspond with the land described in the survey.
Check the boundaries, measurements, location and identifying details.
Don't buy one piece of land and discover later that the documents describe another.
5. IS THERE ANY DISPUTE, ENCUMBRANCE OR GOVERNMENT RESTRICTION?
Ask the uncomfortable questions.
Is there litigation?
Is someone else claiming the land?
Is it affected by acquisition?
Is there a mortgage, restriction or other encumbrance?
“Everybody is buying here” is not evidence of a clean title.
6. CAN I LEGALLY BUILD WHAT I WANT THERE?
Your intended development matters.
Check the applicable planning, zoning, land-use, access and environmental requirements before committing your money.
A plot being available for sale doesn't automatically mean you can build whatever you want on it.
7. WHAT EXACTLY AM I PAYING FOR?
Get the complete financial picture.
Purchase price.
Survey.
Legal fees.
Registration and perfection costs.
Government charges.
Estate fees.
Documentation.
Payment schedule.
Know the total commitment before you transfer your money.
Here's my rule:
NEVER LET THE URGENCY OF A SELLER BECOME THE EMERGENCY OF YOUR FAMILY.
If someone tells you:
“Pay today or lose the land.”
Slow down.
If the opportunity is genuine, proper due diligence should not scare anyone.
Real estate is expensive.
Your mistakes in real estate are even more expensive.
SAVE this post before your next land inspection.
And let's test something:
If you had ₦10 million ready to buy land today, which ONE of these 7 questions would you ask first?
Drop the number in the comments.
1️⃣ Ownership
2️⃣ Title documents
3️⃣ Verification
4️⃣ Survey
5️⃣ Disputes/restrictions
6️⃣ Development approval
7️⃣ Total cost
I'll be watching the answers.