How we verify real estate firms
Woland was built so that Nigerians — at home and in the diaspora — could trust who they're dealing with before sending any money for property. Here's exactly what we do before a firm gets a Verified badge, and what you should still do yourself before you pay.
What Woland checks before verifying a firm
Firm submits registration
A real estate firm applies through our registration form, providing its legal business name, CAC registration number (or local equivalent outside Nigeria), a physical office address, and a phone number.
We check the business registration
Our team checks the firm's registration number against the relevant business registry (in Nigeria, the Corporate Affairs Commission) to confirm the company genuinely exists and is in good standing.
We confirm the office is real
We contact the firm directly by phone using the number they provided, and where possible confirm the office address is a genuine, staffed location — not just a name on a form.
Verified Firm badge is issued
Once both checks pass, the firm receives a Verified Firm badge, a public profile page, and the ability to list properties. This typically takes up to 48 hours from submission.
Ongoing monitoring
Verification isn't a one-time event. Any buyer can report a firm at any time (see below). We investigate every report and can suspend or permanently remove a firm's Verified status if a report is substantiated.
What you should still do before you pay
A Verified badge means we've checked the firm exists and is registered. It is not a guarantee on any single property, its title, or the outcome of your specific transaction. These six steps are yours to take on every purchase, no matter how trusted the firm.
Confirm the firm is Verified
Look for the Verified Firm badge on the firm's profile page. If a "firm" contacts you outside Woland claiming to be listed but you can't find their verified profile, be cautious.
Get an independent lawyer
Use a lawyer of your own choosing — not one recommended solely by the seller — to review every document before you pay anything.
Verify title at the land registry
Have your lawyer confirm the property's title at the relevant state land registry. This is the single most important check for land and property in Nigeria, and the one most often skipped by buyers in a hurry.
Get a live video tour
Insist on a live video call showing the actual property, not just photos, especially if you cannot visit in person. Ask the person on camera to show street signs or landmarks to confirm the location.
Pay into a registered company account only
Never pay into a personal account. Payment should go to the account of the registered firm, matching the name on their CAC documents. Keep every receipt and reference number.
Report anything that feels wrong
Pressure to pay quickly, requests to pay someone other than the firm, or a firm that goes quiet — any of these is a reason to pause and file a report with us before proceeding.