Like all sectors, the real estate market in Senegal is not immune to unscrupulous individuals of all kinds. This is all the more regrettable because avoiding certain pitfalls can be done very early on, starting with the advertisement itself, for example. Acquiring real estate is far from a trivial matter, and it's best to be vigilant to avoid regrets later. In this article, we will give you advice on how to spot real estate scams early on.
1) FANTASTIC PRICES
When you browse real estate listings on a portal like KEUR-IMMO.com , for example, you'll have noticed that properties for sale vary in price depending on their location. That's just how the real estate market works. Dakar, for instance, is much more expensive than the Petite Côte, and even within the capital itself, there are significant price disparities between different neighborhoods.
However, on other websites or even on social media, where moderation of ads and their authors isn't as strict as ours, you might come across listings with prices that are abnormally low for the area. This should raise a red flag and prompt you to contact the advertiser for further information. A low price might be justified if the property requires extensive renovations, for example. You'll need to visit the property to confirm this. But if the property appears flawless in the photos and the asking price seems unrealistic, we advise you not to proceed any further.
2) INFORMATION
The information in an advertisement must be clear and allow you to better understand the property. The quality of the advertisement is already an indicator of whether or not there is a risk of a scam. A brief advertisement, lacking information and photos, is enough to discourage you from contacting the author. This is even more true if the author is an individual whose Expat-Dakar account was created just yesterday.
Instead, rely on comprehensive containing a wealth of information from more established accounts. At KEUR-IMMO.com verified and certified professionals are listed . The listings are also vetted, which greatly reduces the risk of scams.
3) "THE HOUSE IS NOT OPEN TO VISIT"
That's what some people trying to scam you will tell you. You absolutely must visit a property before committing to a purchase. Those who post fraudulent ads will come up with every excuse in the book to avoid you visiting a property that, in reality, doesn't even exist .
If that's the case, you'll sense it fairly quickly, because you might not get the keys once, but if after the third time you insist on visiting the person they're still giving you far-fetched excuses, abandon that line of inquiry. It's undoubtedly a trap .
4) THE BEST OPTION IS TO GO THROUGH A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
It cannot be stressed enough that real estate is a profession in its own right. Indeed, large sums of money are at stake. It is therefore pointless to take risks and bitterly regret them later.
A real estate professional assumes responsibility for the property transaction they facilitate. They ensure the sale proceeds smoothly and act as a true advisor to both the buyer and the seller. They handle all the administrative procedures and accompany you to the notary's office for the signing. This provides you with added security.
Discover here the list of our real estate agencies , verified and certified by us.