You have been thinking about it for a while. Maybe years. You earn in pounds, dollars, or euros. The exchange rate makes Lagos property look accessible. Your family keeps telling you to "buy land" or "build something back home." But every time you get close, the doubts creep in: can I trust this agent? How do I know the title is genuine? What if I pay and nothing happens?
This playbook addresses every one of those concerns with practical, actionable steps. It is based on what we see work - and what we see fail - for diaspora investors every month.
Phase 1: Research (Weeks 1-4)
Before you contact any agent or company, spend time understanding the market. Know which areas match your budget. Understand the difference between C of O, Governor's Consent, and Gazette. Know what rental yields look like in different corridors. Know the typical price ranges for the property type you want.
Use JESFEM's Investment Tools page to run scenarios: what rental income could a 40-million-Naira property in Lekki Phase 1 generate? What might a 25-million-Naira off-plan unit in Ajah be worth in 3 years? Having these numbers before you engage with anyone gives you a foundation that makes you harder to mislead.
Phase 2: Partner Selection (Weeks 4-6)
Choose your property company or agent with the same rigour you would use to hire a contractor. Verify their CAC registration independently (not from a certificate they show you from the CAC portal). Ask for references from diaspora clients. Check for a physical office. Look at their online presence. A company handling serious transactions should have a professional website, not just a WhatsApp status.
Ask direct questions: how many transactions have you completed in the past 12 months? Can I speak to a previous diaspora buyer? What documentation will you provide at each stage? How do you handle disputes?
Phase 3: Property Selection (Weeks 6-10)
Your partner should present verified options matching your criteria. For each property, you should receive title documentation (or confirmation of verification in progress), professional photos, location details, and financial projections.
Do not rush this phase. A good property company will not pressure you. They will present options, answer questions, and let you make an informed decision on your own timeline.
If possible, arrange for a trusted person in Lagos. A family member, friend, or the company's representative to physically inspect the property on your behalf. Photos and videos are essential, but nothing replaces a physical visit.
Phase 4: Due Diligence (Weeks 10-12)
Engage an independent solicitor in Lagos to conduct a title search. This is separate from whatever verification your property company has done. Belt and braces. Your solicitor conducts a search at the Land Registry, confirms the property is free from encumbrances, and reviews the sale documentation.
This costs money, typically 100,000-300,000 Naira for the search, plus legal fees for the transaction. It is the best money you will spend.
Phase 5: Transaction (Weeks 12-14)
Once due diligence is clear, the transaction proceeds. Your solicitor prepares or reviews the Deed of Assignment. Payment is made to the company's corporate account in agreed stages. You receive receipts and signed documentation at each stage.
For diaspora transactions, ensure all communications are documented (email, not just WhatsApp). Keep records of every payment with bank transfer confirmations.
Phase 6: Post-Purchase (Ongoing)
If you are not going to be on the ground, you need a management solution from day one. This is not optional. For rental properties, a management company handles tenant sourcing, rent collection, maintenance, and reporting. For vacant land, you need physical monitoring to prevent encroachment.
At JESFEM, our diaspora investors receive monthly photo and video updates, financial statements, and maintenance reports. We communicate via WhatsApp, email, or scheduled video calls on your schedule, not ours.
The Three Rules That Protect You
Rule 1: Never pay before documentation is verified. No urgency justifies this. Legitimate deals do not evaporate overnight.
Rule 2: Always use an independent solicitor. Not the seller's lawyer. Not the agent's lawyer. Your own lawyer, chosen independently.
Rule 3: Document everything in writing. Verbal promises are worthless in a dispute. Every agreement, every payment, every commitment should be in writing.
Follow these phases and rules, and you will be in the top 10% of prepared diaspora investors. The market rewards those who do the work. JESFEM exists to make that work easier but even without us, the process works if you follow it properly.
