PROPERTY SEARCH: to go online OR use an agent?

Its no longer news that the Real Estate market is towing the technology synchronisation way. Following the new trend of mobile apps driving real estate, you would wonder how this affect the regular masses. Should we expect a person in search of a new apartment to think about surfing for properties online with the likes of Findnigeriaproperty.com and others.

Nigeria Real Estate hub (NREH) went out to get people’s opinion on finding property online and quite a number of people spoken to seemed uncomfortable with the idea. Despite accepting the ease that comes with using the mobile technology, they still express fear and doubt in such transactions.

Mr. Gbadamosi, who resides in Magodo, Lagos State says its a welcoming development, however with the level of trust in  doing business online in Nigeria, especially when its not with the known e-commerce sector, one has to be very careful.

Queen – “I have been duped by an agent whom I met online, he showed me a house, room self contain apartment and I paid, only for me to find out that he also rented the same apartment to two other applicants. na Area G end the matter last last”

Iya Tolu – “if I dey find house, na Agent wey I know I go call, I  never sabi use phone to make call finish, and I no trust person wey I no dey see. The agent wey I know and wey I dey direct people to, I know him house and family, so e no fit chop my money”

Vincent – “I am barely 6 months in the house I live in now, I remember when I was searching, I called up a friend who linked me up with an Agent and it was pretty simple. I haven’t tried the online property search.”

Ngozi – “I did once but unfortunately I was called back before going to inspect the place that it had been taken, so I would say its a welcome development if Nigerians can be more trustworthy”

There you have it. Do you think property search sites and apps are a welcome development to the real estate market in Nigeria? or perhaps, we spoke only to a certain set of people, of whom you differ in opinion. Let’s have your say?