COMA Realty

This is one of those statements that sounds harsh at first, but becomes painfully true with time.

Every real estate consultant hear this same sentence almost every week:

“This land is too expensive.”

Then, a year or two later, the same person calls back and asks, “Is it still available?” By then, the price has moved, sometimes dramatically.

That is the strange thing about property. When it is affordable, many people hesitate. When it becomes expensive, everybody suddenly sees the opportunity.

Think of it like boarding a bus. When the bus is empty, people stroll toward it. When it is almost full, everybody starts running. Real estate works the same way. The earlier you enter, the easier and cheaper it usually is.

Nigeria is a good example. Inflation has continued to push up the cost of land, building materials, labour, and transportation. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, inflation stayed above 20% through much of 2024 and early 2025. That means money loses value while many real assets, especially land in growing areas, tend to become more expensive.

In simple terms: the naira sleeps, but land keeps working.

Look at what has happened in places like Lekki, Ajah, Sangotedo, Epe, and Ibeju-Lekki. Years ago, many buyers said those areas were too far. Some even joked that you needed a passport to reach them. Today, roads, estates, businesses, and new infrastructure have changed the story. Land that once looked “expensive” now looks cheap in hindsight.

This is why experienced investors focus less on today’s price and more on tomorrow’s value.

Let me be clear: I am not saying every piece of land will double overnight.

Real estate is not magic. Smart investment still requires proper documentation, good location, and patience. But history shows that strategic locations usually become more valuable as development arrives.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is comparing land to everyday spending. They will think for three months before buying a plot, but buy a new phone in thirty minutes. The phone starts losing value the moment it leaves the shop.

The land often starts gaining value the moment development moves closer.

A phone is a guest in your pocket. Land is a permanent resident in your future.

That may sound funny, but it is true.

Another reason people think real estate is expensive is because they look at the full price instead of the long-term outcome.

Imagine a plot selling for ₦5 million today. If the area develops well and the value becomes ₦10 million in a few years, the question changes from “Why is it ₦5 million?” to “Why didn’t I buy it at ₦5 million?”.

That is the difference between cost and value.

Cost is what you pay today.

Value is what it becomes tomorrow.

Good real estate consultants understand this. We do not just sell land; we help people see the future hidden inside a location.

A bush can become a neighbourhood. A rough road can become a major corridor. An ignored area can become the next investment hotspot.

And here is a small witty truth: Nigerians rarely complain that land became cheaper than expected. The complaints usually sound like, “I should have bought earlier.”.

So what should a smart buyer do?

First, verify everything. Check the survey, title, and ownership.

Second, buy within your budget instead of waiting for a “perfect” time that may never come.

Third, think long-term. Real estate rewards patience more than panic.

If you are a young professional, a business owner, or a Nigerian in the diaspora, remember this: you do not need to buy the biggest property first. You simply need to start.

One good decision today can become a major financial advantage tomorrow.

In the end, real estate feels expensive only at the beginning. After prices rise, it suddenly looks wise. The same plot people avoid today may become the plot people compete for tomorrow.

So before you say, “It is too expensive,” ask a better question: “What will it cost me if I wait?”.

Because in property investment, the most expensive land is often the land you almost bought.

✍️Victor Jude
Your Smart Real Estate Coach