The Power of Integrity in Business, Part 1: A Story of Mr. Sly

Last year, that is 2023, I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Sly, a discerning client with a keen interest in acquiring land in Epe, Lagos. He was on the lookout for an affordable plot where he could build in a few years, with a budget of 900k Naira—a challenging figure in the 2023 real estate market.

Mr. Sly was intrigued by a property he found in one of my flyers and asked me to inspect it for him. The estate was located in Tomoba, Epe. I booked for an inspection with the company, carefully observing the environment and the surrounding area. Upon thorough inspection, it became clear that this land was not ideal for immediate development. Instead, it held significant potential as a long-term investment, perfect for land banking.

When I returned, I shared my honest assessment with Mr. Sly: "This location might not see significant development within the next five years, but it holds great potential as an investment."

Despite the potential for a commission, I couldn't advise him to proceed with a purchase that didn't align with his immediate goals. Mr. Sly decided against buying the property, and we didn't close the deal.

However, the story didn't end there. Mr. Sly appreciated my candid advice and has since referred two new clients to me, both of whom have successfully purchased properties. Our professional relationship remains strong, even though he didn't make a direct purchase from me.

This experience reinforced the importance of integrity in real estate. Sometimes, telling the truth and putting the client's best interests first can lead to long-term success and trust.