If you have ever rented or purchased a property in Lagos, we want to seize the opportunity to give you a hug because we know what you went through. If you haven't, consider this short piece as salvation, so you don't have to go through what others have been through.

The price hikes in Lagos is one thing but agents trying to swindle you and extort money from you is another ball game entirely. To find an apartment of your choice would take several weeks of inspection and going around with no less than 3 agents everyday.

One event bursted my brains recently, a friend was narrating how that the agents he was moving around with were insisting that they will not go around with him unless they use cabs and he was going to pay. Also they were all demanding that he purchases a form of NGN 3,000 from each one of them to enable them keep searching for him. Eventually, he crossed this road and rented an apartment, only for him to be hit with a NGN200,000 electric bill that was pilled up by the previous occupant.

These and many more are the reason we started www.zama.ng to help Lagosians get the best apartments at the best prices without hassles.

However, here are 7 important things you need to know before buying/renting an apartment in Lagos;

1. Nobody cares about: these agents tend to talk to you like they care about you. This is a strategy to make you pay so they can get their cut from the principal agent and whatever happens afterwards is totally your business.

2. You don't have to pay for a form: they insist on you purchasing a form before they commence work, don't do it. Why do they collect agency fee?

3. Look out for comfort and security: you need a place where you be relaxed at home. Nobody likes troubles and stress. Ain't nobody got time for that.

4. Ask for utility bills: sometimes landlords, agents/caretakers won't tell you until you totally move in. There might be a huge bill pilled up by previous occupants and this could just be uncomfortable for you.

5. Throughly read through and authenticate validity of documents: depending on the kind of property you should thoroughly read through the agreement and have a full understanding of it, also authenticate the validity of the Title of the property before going ahead to make any financial commitments.

6. Have a good and realistic budget: depending on the kind of apartment and the area you want to live in Lagos, have a good and realistic budget, this way when you find what you want, you can make payment and move on to other things.

7. Be bold and look them in the eyes: know your landlord or property owner and the agent, loo them in the eyes, put your feet on the ground and make your terms clear. You are paying money so you should get value for it.

Visit https://zama.ng/ let's hook you up.