How to invest in Real Estate

You Don’t Need Millions to Invest in Real Estate

Most Nigerians think real estate is only for “big men”.

People with:

• Millions in the bank

• Family land in Lekki

• Rich uncles abroad

  
  

So when someone earning ₦80k, ₦150k, or even ₦300k monthly hears “invest in property, the mind shuts down immediately.

“Real estate no be my level.”

But here’s the truth 
Capital is not the problem. Mindset is.

The Lie We Were Taught About Real Estate

Growing up, real estate meant:

• Buy land

• Build a house

• Rent it out

That system worked in the past, but it created a dangerous belief:

If you can’t buy land or build, you can’t invest in real estate.

That belief has kept millions of young Nigerians locked out of property wealth.

Meanwhile, the rules have changed.

Real Estate Is No Longer “All or Nothing”

Today, you don’t need:

• ₦10 million

• ₦20 million

• ₦50 million

You can start with:

• ₦50,000

• ₦100,000

  
  

• ₦250,000

This is where fractional ownership comes in.

What Is Fractional Real Estate Ownership?

Think of it like this:

Instead of one person buying a house for ₦50 million,
1,000 people can jointly own it.

Each person owns a fraction of the property and earns:

• Rental income

• Capital appreciation

Just like stocks.

You don’t buy the whole company — you buy a piece.

Simple Nigerian Example

Imagine a ₦100 million rental apartment in Lekki.

Instead of one investor:

• 1,000 investors contribute ₦100,000 each.

Now:

• The house is rented

• Rent is shared

• Property value grows

• You earn without stress

No tenant wahala.
No repairs.
No land disputes.

Your money is working while you sleep.

“But Is It Real Estate Investing?”

Yes.

You are:

• Owning real property

• Earning rental income

• Benefiting from appreciation

The only difference?
You removed the entry barrier.

Entry-Level Investing Mindset (This Is Key)

Poor mindset says:

“I’ll invest when I have plenty money.”

Investor mindset says:

“I’ll start with what I have and grow.”

Every wealthy real estate investor you admire started small.

They didn’t wait to be rich.
They used investing to become rich.

Why This Matters for Young Nigerians

Let’s be honest:

• Salaries are under pressure

• Inflation is high

• Rent keeps rising

• Naira keeps losing value

Waiting to “have millions first” is a risky approach.

Starting early gives you:

• Compounding

• Experience

• Confidence

• Asset ownership

Time is your biggest asset — not money.

The Same Way You Buy Stocks…

If you can:

• Buy ₦10k shares

• Invest ₦5k monthly

• Own ETFs

Then you already understand fractional ownership.

Real estate is just the physical version.

The Real Risk Is Doing Nothing

People fear:

• “What if it fails?”

• “What if I lose money?”

But nobody asks:

“What if I never start?”

Not investing is also a risk, a bigger one.

 Real Estate Investment Apps Nigerians Can Use

🇳🇬 Nigerian / Africa-focused Apps

1. Risevest

• Type: Fractional real estate (USD-based)

• Returns: ~10–12% annually

• Payment: Monthly payouts

• What you earn: Rental income + property appreciation

• Best for: Beginners & salary earners

2. Coreum

• Type: Fractional real estate

• Returns: Varies by project

• Payment: Usually quarterly

• Best for: Long-term property investors

3. AssetVest

• Type: Property-backed investments

• Returns: Fixed + variable returns

• Payment: Quarterly

• Best for: Investors seeking structured deals

 International / USD Platforms (Accessible to Nigerians)

4. RealtyMogul (via foreign brokers)

• Type: US commercial real estate

• Payment: Quarterly

• Note: Requires higher capital & foreign access

5. Fundrise (via US exposure)

• Type: REIT-style property investing

• Payment: Quarterly

• Best for: Long-term wealth building

 Real Estate Stocks & REITs on NGX (Nigeria)

These are listed property companies / REITs you can buy like normal stocks through a Nigerian stockbroker.

🇳🇬 NGX Real Estate Stocks & REITs

1. UPDC REIT

• Sector: Real Estate Investment Trust

• Pays: Dividends (Yearly / sometimes interim)

• Income Type: Rental income

• Best for: Conservative investors

2. SFS REIT

• Sector: Commercial property (malls, offices)

• Pays: Dividends

• Frequency: Usually annually

• Strength: Stable rental income

3. UPDC Plc

• Sector: Property development

• Pays: Dividends (not consistent)

• Focus: Capital appreciation

📌 Note: check the Ngx for more REITs
NGX REITs usually pay once or twice a year, not monthly.

 US Real Estate ETFs & Stocks (REITs)

These are powerful because they:

• Pay regular dividends

• Are diversified

• Are inflation-resistant

You can access them via apps like Bamboo, Trove, Chaka, Risevest (stocks).

 US Real Estate ETFs (Diversified)

1. VNQ – Vanguard Real Estate ETF

• Pays: Quarterly

• What it owns: Hundreds of US REITs

• Best for: Long-term passive income

2. SCHH – Schwab US REIT ETF

• Pays: Quarterly

• Low fees

• Stable income

3. REET – iShares Global REIT ETF

• Pays: Quarterly

• Global exposure: US, Europe, Asia

 US Real Estate Stocks (Individual REITs)

4. Realty Income (Ticker: O)

• ⭐ Famous for MONTHLY dividends

• Pays: Every month

• Nickname: “The Monthly Dividend Company”

• Best for: Consistent cash flow

5. STAG Industrial (STAG)

• Pays: Monthly

• Focus: Warehouses & logistics

6. Digital Realty (DLR)

• Pays: Quarterly

• Focus: Data centers (AI & tech-driven)

 Income Frequency Comparison Table

 Key Investor Lesson

If you want:

• Monthly income → Fractional real estate apps & US REITs

• Quarterly income → US REIT ETFs

• Long-term appreciation → NGX property stocks & REITs

You don’t need to buy land to earn from real estate anymore.

Real estate income now comes in three forms:

1. Rent (monthly cash flow)

2. Dividends

3. Capital appreciation

And you can access all three:

• With ₦50k–₦100k

• From your phone

• Without landlord stress

Final Truth

You don’t need millions.

You need:

• Education

• The right platform

• Discipline

• A long-term mindset

Real estate wealth is no longer locked behind iron gates.

It’s now accessible, if you’re willing to start small.

Call to Action

💬 How much do you think you need to invest in real estate?
₦5 million? ₦1 million? ₦100k?

Drop your answer — let’s talk truth.