Guide to real estate
What it’s about
Guide to Real Estate is a practical handbook that demystifies property – buying, selling, renting, and investing – without the fluff agents and “gurus” usually add. It’s written for regular people who want to stop guessing and start making smart property decisions. Whether you’re in Port Harcourt looking at your first plot, or you just want to understand why rent + land prices move the way they do, this book breaks it down step by step.
Who it’s for
First-time buyers/renters – Students, young professionals, families figuring out rent agreements, agent fees, and what to check before paying.
New investors – People with ₦500k to ₦50M who want to know land vs apartments vs short-lets, and how to avoid “omo-onile” and fake documents.
Landlords/property managers – Folks already collecting rent but want better systems, tenant screening, and maintenance strategies.
Anyone curious – You don’t need to buy a house tomorrow. It teaches you how real estate actually works as an asset class.
What’s inside – chapter breakdown
Part 1: Real Estate 101 – What “real estate” really means. Freehold vs leasehold, Certificate of Occupancy C of O, Deed of Assignment, Survey, Excision/Gazette. Nigerian land terms explained in plain English.
Part 2: Buying & Due Diligence – How to verify land in Rivers State, why you need a lawyer + surveyor, red flags for “omo-onile”, government acquisition, and the real cost breakdown: land + survey + documentation + agent + legal.
Part 3: Renting Smart – Tenant vs landlord rights in Nigeria, agreement clauses that matter, agency/caution fees, how to inspect a flat, and how to negotiate rent. Includes sample agreement templates.
Part 4: Investing for Cashflow – Rental yield, Airbnb/short-let math, building for rent, REITs, land banking, commercial vs residential. Real examples with ₦ figures so you can see ROI, not just theory.
Part 5: Building & Development – Working with architects, contractors, BOQ, avoiding project abandonment. When to buy land vs buy a finished house.
Part 6: Risks + Mindset – Market cycles, illiquidity, fraud, “buy land and die” stories, taxes like Capital Gains Tax + WHT, and how to think 5-10 years, not 5-10 months.
Part 7: Future of Property – Proptech, co-living, green building, and how urbanization in cities like PH, Lagos, Abuja is changing demand.