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LIFEPAGE, Stakeholders Brainstorm on Investing in Real Estate
Bennett Oghifo
As part of activities planned in line with her 10th anniversary commemoration, LIFEPAGE in partnership with Business School, Netherlands organised a symposium to brainstorm on Wealth Creation Opportunities in The Nigerian Real Estate Sector.
The symposium which held over the weekend at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos, had in attendance participants from all over the nation with industry experts from branding, financial, educational institutions and real estate businesses as guest speakers – who delivered various lectures with special highlights on; Government Policies and Framework; Growth Strategies for Operators in the Sector; Brand Positioning and Promotions; Investment Opportunities and Partnerships; Attracting Foreign Direct and funding, and Project Financing Options/Funding Structures – REITs, CPs, Bonds, etc
In his keynote address Mr. Oladipupo Clement, CEO LIFEPAGE/convener, who spoke with special focus on realtors stated there are four primary ways to play in the real estate space – ranging from being a regulator, developer, investor to being a realtor. For him, being a realtor is the cheapest way to play in the industry as it requires connecting buyers to sellers.
He alluded to the real estate industry report of 2020 by Agusto & Co which states that the Nigerian real estate industry as at two years ago in terms of size, is valued at $3.96 trillion. Which implies that without any financial contribution from realtors, connecting buyers to sellers will yield them income without hassles – a system that has worked for brands in other markets like; Amazon, Nike and many more who play in other industries.
LIFEPAGE, as a business, according to Mr. Clement has played successfully in the last 10 years both as an investor and a developer. Adding that as a developer there are challenges it is tough to play in this market particularly due to fluctuating costs of project developments, inflation rates, among many others.
There are several opportunities for making it big as a realtor in Nigeria, according to the convener. However, the referral method which requires little or no funding to get started with, remains the cheapest. This method is one everyone does without even knowing or being rewarded for and this is where we have played successfully as a business. We have put structures in place to ensure that everyone benefits from their efforts.
In his words; there are several questions to help a realtor set the tone of his/her journey to wealth; “here is how you can make it big as a realtor – first is; how much money do you want to make? How much sale will fetch the amount you want? How many products would you put out for sale to achieve your target? And who needs what you are selling or who knows who needs what you are selling? If you can resolve these questions then you are on the right path to beginning your journey to making it big.”
The convener, who also spoke about the LIFEPAGE business and how it all began, enjoined participants that every opportunity is linked to the ability to sell per time which also begins from understanding the industry and driving demands. “LIFEPAGE itself began by selling for other businesses.” He rounded up his session with the opportunity for participants to become a partner with LIFEPAGE through its regular bootcamp for realtors adding that the Nigerian real estate market is huge and its surface yet to be scratched.
Other phenomenal speakers who pointed participants in the direction of wealth creation and retention through the real estate vehicle at the symposium include; (Mr Leke Alder – Principal, Alder Consulting, Dr. Olumide Emmanuel – Best Selling Author, The school of Money, Prof. Lere Baale – CEO, Business School Netherlands, Nigeria, Senami Amusu – Fundraising Consultant, Growvest Financial Advisory) with Damilola Hassan – Managing Director, Meristem Trustees Limited as the moderator of the panel session and SACO as the compere of the day.
LIFEPAGE, according to officials, is a real estate company that provides investment opportunities for the creation and retention of wealth. “We do this primarily through Real Estate, and our mission is to develop products and services to aid people from all walks of life, achieve their financial and housing dreams. Everything we do is built on the values of integrity and hard-work.
“We are dedicated to the creation and retention of wealth, like we will always say; if it’s not creating or retaining wealth then it’s not Lifepage and this is because we believe that the catalyst to building a reliable brand lies in the ability of the company to deliver on promise.”
