Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Xavorian Escrow Payment service work?

When you decide to rent or buy a verified property on Xavorian, your funds are paid into our secure, audited escrow account instead of being sent directly to the agent or landlord. The funds are held safely and are completely locked until you complete physical inspections, conduct a formal land registry search, and sign the official agreements. Only after you give explicit consent to release the funds do we credit the agent or seller.

When are escrow funds released to the agent or seller?

Escrow funds are released only when the following conditions are met:

• The buyer/tenant conducts a physical site inspection.
• The buyer/tenant conducts title searches at the relevant Land Registry (e.g., GIS, Lands Bureau) to verify document authenticity.
• All parties sign the required legal documents (Deed of Assignment, Lease Agreement, Contract of Sale).
• The buyer/tenant clicks the "Release Funds" button on their Xavorian transaction dashboard.

If there is an issue during inspection or document verification, the funds remain securely locked in escrow until the dispute is resolved or refunded.

What happens if there is a dispute?

If you discover that the property has been misrepresented, does not exist, or the title documents are fraudulent, you can click "Raise a Dispute" on your dashboard. This immediately freezes the transaction. Xavorian's dedicated dispute resolution team will investigate by requesting evidence from both parties, reviewing the listing details, and conducting physical or legal checks. Based on the findings, we will issue a full or partial refund, or release the funds accordingly.

What fees does Xavorian charge?

Xavorian is committed to complete transparency. We charge a flat 3% escrow processing and security fee on the total transaction value. This fee is used to cover secure payment gateway charges, identity verification (KYC) checks, platform administration, document review, and dispute arbitration services. Standard property listings are completely free for all verified agents and developers.

What is the KYC verification process?

To prevent scammers and ghost agents from accessing our marketplace, Xavorian requires all sellers, developers, and agents to undergo a rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process. This includes:

• Identity Verification: Submission of a valid government-issued ID (National Identity Number - NIN, International Passport, or Driver's License) which is cross-referenced with official government databases.
• Facial Biometrics: A real-time selfie liveness test to ensure the person matches the submitted ID.
• Business Verification: Verification of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration documents for real estate companies and developer firms.
• Address Verification: Verification of physical office addresses using recent utility bills and physical site visits by our field agents where necessary.

How can I protect myself when buying or renting real estate in Nigeria?

While Xavorian does extensive agent and listing verification, we strongly recommend following these industry-standard safety practices:

• Always use Xavorian Escrow: Never pay cash, check, or direct bank transfer to any agent or seller. If an agent asks you to pay off-platform, report them immediately.
• Inspect during the day: Schedule physical property inspections during bright, daylight hours.
• Meet in public first: Meet the agent or seller at a public location or their verified office before proceeding to the property site.
• Verify title documents: Always engage a qualified legal practitioner or surveyor to perform a search on land titles (C of O, Governor's Consent, Gazette) at the state lands registry (e.g., Lagos Lands Registry, Edo State GIS).
• Bring a witness: Do not go to inspections alone. Bring a family member, business partner, or trusted friend.