Beyond the sticker price: agency fees, consent costs, service charges, and the hidden arithmetic first-time buyers should plan for.
First-time buyers usually budget for one number: the price of the house. Experienced buyers budget for five. Planning for the full picture turns an intimidating process into a managed project.
The five numbers
First, the purchase price itself. Second, agency and legal fees, commonly calculated as percentages of the price — agree them in writing early. Third, perfection-of-title costs such as Governor's Consent fees and stamp duties, which vary by state and property value. Fourth, moving and immediate furnishing costs, which buyers routinely underestimate. Fifth, if buying into an estate, the service charge structure and what it actually covers.
Financing honestly
Mortgage depth in Nigeria is improving but limited; most purchases still resolve through savings, family structures, or structured instalments directly with developers. Be honest about which of those you are using, because each carries different timing risks. Whatever the route, keep proof of every payment — it becomes part of your title file later.
Off-plan versus finished
Off-plan pricing can be meaningfully lower, but you carry completion risk. Insist on a verifiable developer track record, staged payments tied to construction milestones, and a lawyer-reviewed contract. A finished home costs more per square metre and buys certainty instead.
Bring your numbers to a consultation and we will pressure-test them with current market data — before you make offers, not after.