When you’re about to commit N20 million, N50 million, or even more on a property, the last person you want standing between you and a clean title is an incompetent realtor.

Forget the fancy car, the bespoke suit, or the expensive phone. In Nigerian real estate, appearances can be deceitful. A flashy agent with zero experience is just an accident waiting to happen.

Think of Mr. Uche. He had saved patiently and finally found a beautiful land listing in Abuja. The agent, a young man named Tunde, looked professional, spoke perfect English, and claimed to be the “Oga at the top” of his firm. Uche paid Tunde the 10% agency fee.

Two weeks later, Uche’s lawyer needed the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for verification. Tunde started giving excuses: “The office system is down,” “My boss is traveling,” “Just trust me, sir.”

Eventually, Uche discovered Tunde was a freelance hustler who didn’t even have access to the original documents. Tunde vanished with the agency fee, and the property turned out to be under a government dispute. The moral? Don’t pay for the packaging; pay for the knowledge.

If you want an agent who will protect your investment and save you from the headache, you must vet them properly. Here are 7 essential questions to ask any realtor before you sign a contract or pay a kobo.

Are You Licensed as a Realtor and Where is Your Permanent Office Located?

This is your first defense. In a country where almost anyone can claim to be a realtor, you must verify their legitimacy.

It is essential to confirm that your agent is not merely a hustler using real estate as a quick source of income. You must check if they are registered with a recognised professional body, such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV).

More importantly, ask for their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration certificate and insist on visiting their permanent, traceable office location.

A legitimate agent has a verifiable business history and a fixed address you can return to if issues arise, making them legally accountable.

• The Question: “Are you registered with any professional body (like NIESV or REDAN), and can you show me your Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificate and your office address?”
• The Goal: You need a physical location you can trace if anything goes wrong, not a temporary desk or a car boot. A serious professional will have a verifiable business registration and be part of an established network.

As a Realtor How Many Sales Have You Personally Closed in This Specific Area?

Experience in Lagos doesn’t mean experience in Kano. Real estate is intensely local. The best agents know the subtle market dynamics of specific neighbourhoods.

• The Question: “Can you name three properties you have successfully sold or managed within a 5-kilometre radius of this specific land in the last 12 months?”
• The Goal: Test their local expertise. A good agent knows the history of the land, the average asking price, the local Omo Onile (Family) issues, and the speed of government title processing for that zone.

Who is Your Retainer Lawyer/Surveyor, and Can I See Their Credentials?

A competent agent works with competent professionals. If they are working with shady or uncertified experts, your due diligence will be compromised.

This point is crucial because the agent’s network often determines the safety of your investment. A reliable realtor maintains relationships with registered surveyors and reputable property lawyers who conduct thorough title searches.

If your agent recommends uncertified or unknown professionals or insists you use their in-house, unverified team, it’s a clear conflict of interest.

These experts may intentionally overlook critical flaws, such as boundary issues or forged documents, simply to ensure the transaction closes and the agent receives their commission, leaving your legal security severely jeopardised.

• The Question: “Which registered surveyor do you use for your perimeter plans, and do you work with a specialist property lawyer who understands land law?”
• The Goal: Ensure they operate within the legal framework. You should ultimately hire your own independent lawyer, but knowing their network helps confirm their professionalism.

What is Your Agency Fee Structure and What Specific Services Does It Cover?

Ambiguity about fees is the number one cause of disputes. Get this clarified upfront, in writing. This is crucial because an agent’s standard commission can sometimes be presented as an all-inclusive charge, only for unexpected administrative costs to surface later.

Before signing any agreement, you need a document detailing the final percentage or fixed amount you will pay, explicitly stating whether this fee includes or excludes expenses like site inspections, document processing, or the drafting of the Deed of Assignment.

By getting the entire cost structure clarified and formally documented, you prevent the agent from later demanding extra payments for services you already assumed were covered, thus protecting your budget and ensuring a smooth transaction.

• The Question: “Is your commission a fixed percentage (e.g., 5% of sale price), and does this fee include all site inspections, document gathering, and facilitating negotiations?”
• The Goal: Avoid surprise charges. Be clear on whether their fee covers statutory expenses like the Deed of Assignment drafting or if it’s purely for brokering the sale.

What is the Highest Title the Seller Possesses for this Property?

A clean title is your security. The agent must be able to state the specific title document clearly. A competent agent should immediately confirm the highest form of title the seller holds for the property, such as a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), a Gazette, or a completed Deed of Assignment.

This is not just technical jargon; it directly reflects the property’s legal risk. If the agent cannot clearly distinguish between a C of O (the strongest form of title) and a vague document like an “Excision in Process,” they lack the fundamental knowledge required to protect your investment.

You need an agent who understands the legal weight of the documents they are presenting.

• The Question: “Is the land covered by a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), a Gazette, an Excision, or is it simply covered by a Deed of Assignment (a transfer document)?”
• The Goal: Verify their understanding of Nigerian land law. If they cannot clearly distinguish between a C of O (high security) and an “Excision in Process” (high risk), they are not equipped to protect you.

What Happens to My Deposit If the Title Search Fails?

This final question directly tests the realtor’s professional accountability and their approach to risk management. If a property transaction fails because of a serious, undisclosed defect such as a forged document or an existing legal dispute, a reliable agent must have a pre-defined process for immediately returning your deposit.

Any hesitation, vague responses, or insistence on sorting the refund out later are critical red flags. You must receive a written agreement detailing precisely how your funds will be fully refunded if the title is proven unclean by your lawyer.

This ensures your money is secured and not simply absorbed into the agent’s operating costs if the deal falls apart

• The Question: “If my lawyer confirms the C of O is fake or the land is disputed, how and when will my initial deposit (or agency fee) be refunded?”
• The Goal: Ensure you have a written agreement stating that your funds are held in a secure, non-personal account and are fully refundable if the property’s status is misrepresented.

Final Thoughts

Don’t be intimidated. You are the client, and you are carrying the money. Ask these questions with confidence. The agent who answers honestly and professionally is the partner you need. The one who stammers, gets defensive, or uses “Trust me” as an answer should be avoided immediately!

By using these six critical questions, you move beyond mere impressions and vet your agent based on competence, ethics, and legal knowledge. Remember, myplace.ng help you find professionals and simplify the entire process. Choose an agent who values transparency as much as you value your investment.