How to Advertise a Flat for Sale in Nigeria

Advertising a flat for sale in Nigeria requires careful preparation before a single photo is taken or a listing goes live. Sellers who prepare their documentation, price correctly, and present the property well consistently sell faster and at higher prices than those who rush to market without adequate preparation. This guide takes you through every step.

Documentation Checklist Before Advertising

Buyers and their solicitors will request your title documentation before committing to a purchase. Having your paperwork ready from day one speeds up the process significantly. Prepare the following before advertising:

• Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)— the strongest form of title. If the development has a C of O in the developer's name, confirm how individual unit titles are structured.
• Deed of Assignment— if you purchased from a developer or previous owner, ensure your Deed is executed and stamped with Governor's Consent.
• Survey Plan — a registered survey plan matching the dimensions in your title document.
• Building Plan Approval — approval from the state or LGA planning authority confirming the development was built with regulatory consent.
• Land Use Charge or Ground Rent receipts — up-to-date payments confirm no government encumbrances on the property.
• Service charge records — if your flat is in a managed estate, up-to-date service charge receipts demonstrate the property is in good standing with the estate management.

Pricing Guide by Flat Type and Area

Setting the right asking price is critical. These are indicative ranges for Lagos as at 2026 — always research specific comparable listings in your street or estate before setting your price:

• 1-bedroom flat — Yaba/Surulere: ₦15m–₦35m
• 2-bedroom flat — Yaba/Surulere: ₦25m–₦60m
• 2-bedroom flat — Lekki Phase 1: ₦50m–₦150m
• 3-bedroom flat — Lekki Phase 1: ₦80m–₦200m
• 2-bedroom flat — Ikoyi: ₦150m–₦400m
• 3-bedroom flat — Ikoyi: ₦250m–₦600m+
• 2-bedroom flat — Gbagada/Ojodu: ₦20m–₦50m

Flats on higher floors with lifts, estate-managed generators, and covered parking command meaningful premiums over comparable units on lower floors or with shared external parking.

Photography Standards for Flat Listings

Photography is the first thing a buyer judges your flat on — before they read the description, before they check the price. A minimum of 8 high-quality photographs is required for any flat listing. Follow these standards:

• Shoot in natural daylight — open all curtains and blinds, switch on all lights. Avoid shooting in the evening with artificial light only.
• Clear and tidy every space before photographing. Remove personal items, excess furniture, laundry, and kitchen clutter.
• Cover the living room, dining area, kitchen, each bedroom, all bathrooms, the balcony (if any), parking, and the building exterior.
• For flats priced above ₦50m, engage a professional property photographer. The cost is ₦20,000–₦80,000 and the return in enquiry quality is consistently positive.
• Use landscape (horizontal) orientation for all shots — portrait images look awkward on portal listings.

Platform Strategy and Handling Viewings

List your flat on Cabans and consider a second listing on PropertyPro to maximise reach. Feature your listing for the first 4–6 weeks to ensure high placement in search results during the critical initial marketing period.

When conducting viewings, ensure the property is presented at its best — ideally the same condition as the photographs. If the flat is currently tenanted, give the tenant adequate notice and negotiate access times. Never conduct viewings with cluttered or poorly lit spaces — buyers make emotional judgements in the first 60 seconds of entering a property.

From Offer to Completion

Once a buyer makes an offer and you accept, instruct a solicitor immediately if you have not already done so. The completion process follows these stages: the buyer's solicitor reviews your title documentation; a purchase price is agreed and a Contract of Sale or Memorandum of Sale is prepared; the buyer pays a deposit (typically 10–30%); a Deed of Assignment is prepared and executed by both parties; the Deed is stamped and assessed; and Governor's Consent is obtained to perfect the buyer's title. From accepted offer to completion, allow 6–12 weeks depending on the complexity of the title and the speed of the parties' solicitors.