Understanding Property Verification: Your Shield Against Real Estate Fraud

Property verification is not just a nice-to-have feature—it's your first line of defense against fraud. In this article, we explain exactly how Ghana Realty Connect verifies every listing and why this process is critical for both buyers and sellers.

The Cost of Fraud

Real estate fraud costs Ghanaians millions of cedis annually. Common scams include fake land sales, forged ownership documents, duplicate land sales, and non-existent properties. These scams don't just cost money—they destroy trust in the entire market.

Our 4-Step Verification Process

Step 1: Document Authentication

We verify all ownership documents against government records at the Lands Commission. We check land titles, building permits, site plans, and property tax receipts. Any document inconsistency flags the property for further review.

Step 2: Physical Site Inspection

Our verification team physically visits every property. We confirm the property exists at the stated location. We verify measurements and boundaries match the documents. We check the property condition matches the description. We photograph the property from multiple angles.

Step 3: Owner Identity Validation

We verify the seller's identity through government-issued ID. We confirm the seller is the legal owner. We check for power of attorney if a representative is listing. We interview the seller to ensure they're acting voluntarily.

Step 4: Legal Compliance Check

We search for any liens or encumbrances on the property. We check for ongoing legal disputes. We verify zoning compliance and building permits. We ensure all property taxes have been paid.

The ✓ VERIFIED Badge

Properties that pass all four verification steps receive our ✓ VERIFIED badge. This badge is your assurance that the property has been thoroughly vetted. Over 95% of our active listings carry this badge. The average verification time is 3-5 business days.