By Palms Trust Editorial Desk | October 2026
Buying property is a significant financial decision. Whether you are purchasing a completed home, investing in an off-plan development or acquiring property for long-term ownership, the credibility of the developer deserves careful attention.
In Lagos, where new residential developments continue to emerge across different locations, buyers need to look beyond attractive designs, impressive showrooms and persuasive marketing.
A developer’s track record, corporate identity, project documentation and ability to deliver should all form part of the decision-making process.
So, how should a prospective buyer evaluate a property developer before committing funds?
1. Confirm the Developer’s Corporate Identity
Start by establishing exactly who you are dealing with.
Request the developer’s registered company name, registration number, business address and relevant corporate information.
Where the developer operates through a registered company, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) provides a channel for checking company registration information.
Also establish whether the company presenting the development is the actual developer, the landowner, a project company or an authorised representative.
These distinctions matter because the company marketing a property may not necessarily be the entity legally responsible for delivering it.
What to ask:
- What is the developer’s registered company name?
- How long has the company been operating?
- Who are the principal people responsible for the development?
- What is the company’s relationship with the landowner and project?
2. Examine the Developer’s Track Record
A developer’s previous projects can provide useful insight into its experience and delivery history.
Do not rely exclusively on photographs, promotional videos or computer-generated architectural images.
Ask to see completed developments. Where possible, visit them, examine the quality of the finished work and speak with previous buyers or occupants.
Pay attention to whether projects were completed within their communicated timelines, whether buyers received what was promised and how the developer handled issues after handover.
A company with several advertised projects does not automatically have a strong delivery record.
What to ask:
- Which projects has the developer completed?
- Can completed properties be physically inspected?
- Are there verifiable handover records?
- Can previous buyers provide references?
- How does the developer handle post-completion issues?
3. Review Project Approvals and Documentation
A credible developer should be willing to provide relevant information about the project and its regulatory status.
For developments in Lagos, this may include approved planning documentation, development permits, approved building plans and other relevant project approvals.
The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) handles planning permit processes, while the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) carries out building-control functions.
LASBCA explains that approved development documentation should be available before construction begins and that completed projects are subject to final inspection processes.
However, seeing a document is not the same as independently verifying it.
Buyers should engage qualified professionals to examine the relevant documentation and confirm its validity and applicability to the specific property.
4. Understand the Land and Ownership Structure
One of the most important questions is whether the developer has the legal right to develop and sell the property.
A development may involve land owned by an individual, a family, a company or another entity. The developer may also be operating under a joint venture or development agreement.
Understand who owns the land, what legal interest the developer holds and who has the authority to sell or transfer the property.
A qualified property lawyer should independently investigate the title, relevant land registry records, encumbrances and any other material legal issues.
Never assume that a developer’s reputation automatically validates the title to a particular property.
5. Assess Construction Quality and Delivery Capacity
A developer’s ability to deliver goes beyond having an attractive architectural design.
Consider the construction team, project management arrangements, materials, specifications and evidence of work completed.
Where a project is still under construction, an independent architect, engineer or building professional can assess progress and identify issues that may not be obvious to an ordinary buyer.
For off-plan developments, request clear information about the proposed specifications, construction stages, payment milestones, expected completion date and what happens if delivery is delayed.
Avoid making decisions based solely on verbal assurances.
6. Examine the Sale Agreement and Payment Structure
Before making a substantial payment, ensure that the transaction is properly documented.
The sale agreement should clearly identify the parties, property, purchase price, payment schedule, completion obligations, handover conditions and relevant consequences of default or delay.
Buyers should also understand additional charges, documentation costs, service charges and any other financial obligations attached to the property.
Payments should be made through properly verified channels and in accordance with the transaction documents.
An independent lawyer should review the agreement before it is signed.
Palms Trust does not hold buyer purchase deposits as part of its intermediary service.
7. Look Beyond Reputation and Marketing
A developer may have a strong public profile, impressive social media presence or a portfolio of attractive properties.
These can be useful starting points, but they are not substitutes for evidence.
A careful buyer should distinguish between what a developer claims, what can be independently verified and what remains uncertain.
The willingness to provide documentation, answer reasonable questions and accommodate appropriate independent checks is an important part of a credible engagement.
A Practical Checklist for Property Buyers
Before committing to a property, consider whether you have:
- Confirmed the developer’s corporate identity.
- Reviewed its completed projects and delivery history.
- Examined relevant project approvals and permits.
- Engaged a lawyer to investigate the property’s title.
- Obtained independent technical advice where necessary.
- Reviewed the sale agreement and payment obligations.
- Understood the developer’s delivery commitments.
- Identified any material risks or unresolved questions.
Not every item can be established by the developer alone. Independent professional verification remains essential.
Where Palms Trust Comes In
At Palms Trust, we believe buyers deserve more than property advertisements and introductions based on familiarity.
Our role is to connect property buyers with developers whose identities, experience, credentials and delivery records have been reviewed against a documented screening framework.
We consider available evidence, examine relevant information and facilitate connections that can help buyers make more informed decisions.
Our screening is an independent Palms Trust assessment. It is not government certification, a guarantee of a property’s title or a warranty of construction quality or project completion.
We encourage every buyer to conduct independent legal, financial and technical due diligence before entering into a transaction.
The objective is simple: better information, more credible connections and more considered property decisions.
PALMS TRUST — GROUNDED IN INTEGRITY.
Further reading and official resources
- Corporate Affairs Commission: https://cac.gov.ng/
- Lagos State Building Control Agency: https://lasbca.lagosstate.gov.ng/faq/
- Lagos State Electronic Physical Planning Process System: https://lagoseppps.eppps.com/services/33
- Legal 500 – Steps for Real Estate Due Diligence in Nigeria: https://www.legal500.com/intelligence/nigeria/real-estate-and-construction/steps-for-real-estate-due-diligence-in-nigeria-special-focus-on-lagos
Editorial note: This article is for general information and does not constitute legal, financial, valuation or investment advice.
Sources & References
- Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) — Corporate registration and business verification.
https://cac.gov.ng/ - Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) — Building approvals, inspections and completion requirements.
https://lasbca.lagosstate.gov.ng/faq/ - Lagos State Electronic Physical Planning Permit System (EPPPS) — Planning permits and property-related documentation.
https://lagoseppps.eppps.com/services/33 - Legal 500 — Steps for Real Estate Due Diligence in Nigeria: Special Focus on Lagos.
https://www.legal500.com/intelligence/nigeria/real-estate-and-construction/steps-for-real-estate-due-diligence-in-nigeria-special-focus-on-lagos/
Editorial Credit: Palms Trust Editorial Desk.
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