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What Happens After an Offer Is Accepted?

The Part of Property Buying Nobody Talks About

She just got the message,

“Your offer has been accepted.”

For a moment, everything feels settled.She has found the property. The seller has said yes. The price has been agreed. In her mind, she is already planning the furniture, choosing curtains and imagining the day she finally gets the keys. But there is something she doesn't know yet. The “yes” is not the end of the transaction. It is where the real work begins. Before she pays the balance, signs every document put in front of her or starts celebrating the purchase, one question matters:

Can the seller legally and validly transfer this property to her?

And that is where things get interesting.

The “Yes” Is Not the Finish Line

After an offer is accepted, the next step is due diligence. Who actually owns the property? Does the seller have the authority to sell it? Is the title genuine? Are there mortgages, disputes, government interests, prior sales or other restrictions attached to the property? This is where a property lawyer becomes critical. A lawyer doesn't simply prepare your Deed of Assignment at the end of the transaction. They help investigate the property's legal history, review title documents, conduct appropriate searches, identify potential encumbrances and advise you on whether it is safe to proceed. And sometimes, what what the lawyer finds changes everything.

He Had Paid ₦100 Million. So Why Wasn't the Property His?

In Eyiboh v. Dahiru Sheikh Mujaddadi & Ors. (2022) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1830) 381, a buyer agreed to purchase a five-bedroom duplex in Abuja for ₦100 million. He paid or claimed to have paid the purchase price. Documents were signed by two of the three administrators of the estate but the third administrator refused to sign. The property was eventually sold to another buyer. The case reached the Supreme Court, and the buyer's claim failed.The lesson is not just about getting a signed agreement. It is this:

Before you pay, know who has the legal authority to sell, what approvals or signatures are required, and whether your payment and documentation actually complete a valid transaction.

What If Someone Already Sold It?

That question becomes even more serious when there is a previous transaction. In Ashiru v. Olukoya [2006] NGSC 73, the Supreme Court dealt with competing claims to land arising from multiple purported sales. The principle is simple: you cannot transfer what you no longer have the right to transfer. In property, this is why tracing the chain of title matters. The fact that someone has a document saying they own a property does not automatically mean they have good title.

And Sometimes, the Problem Is the Land

There can also be issues beyond the seller. In Adegbite v. Amosun [2016] NGSC 5, the court considered the effect of government acquisition on land rights. This is why proper property due diligence can involve more than looking at the seller's documents. The property's status, location, history and any government interest may also need to be investigated.

So, What Actually Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted?

Usually, the transaction moves through several important stages: due diligence and title verification, legal documentation, payment according to the agreed terms, completion and handover, and, where applicable, perfection or registration of your interest. The exact process depends on the property and transaction.

 

The important thing is not to rush simply because the seller has said yes. “Offer accepted” means the seller has accepted your proposed terms. It does not automatically mean the title is clean, the seller has complete authority, or that every legal requirement has been satisfied.

 

That is why your lawyer, surveyor and real estate professional can each play an important role before you move from “I want this property” to “This property is legally mine.” The most expensive property mistake isn't always paying too much. Sometimes, it's paying for something you didn't properly verify. Before You Celebrate, Verify.

 

At J&P Realty, we believe buying property should be about more than finding a beautiful house. It should be about understanding what you're buying and navigating the process carefully, from offer to closing. Whether you're buying your first home, investing in Lagos real estate or purchasing from abroad, we're here to help you take the next step with confidence.

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This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Property transactions should be reviewed by a qualified Nigerian property lawyer.

References

Eyiboh v. Dahiru Sheikh Mujaddadi & Ors. (2022) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1830) 381.

Isamotu A. Ashiru v. Adetoun Olukoya [2006] NGSC 73.

Adegbite v. Amosun [2016] NGSC 5.