STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

STOP! This is a warning! Get a real estate lawyer. The lawyer will carry out all the required official steps to minimize future disputes.  However, you can do this yourself (not recommended!) and these are the steps.

1. Ask the seller(s) for the deed or mother deed.
2. Make a photocopy of the deed.  You will need it to do your due diligence.
3. Visit the community where the real property is located and verify ownership of the property by talking with community leaders or people in the neighborhood.
4. Visit the local land authority such as the county land authority and verify the property ownership.
5. Visit the Center for National Documents & Records Agency (CNDRA) on 12th Street in Sinkor (Opposite Boulevard Palace Hotel) and verify if the deed is official and archived. These are deeds before 2018. If the deed is after 2018, then refer to Step 6.
6. Visit the Liberian Land Authority on Ashmun Street and verify if the deed is registered with the appropriate names on the deed..
7. Visit the Liberian Revenue Authority at ELWA Junction and verify if the property has a lein.  Note: New buyer could be responsible for unpaid taxes.
8. If everything is legitimate, then this is the best time for the buyer to make a partial payment to the seller if the seller is requesting such a payment.
9. Hire a government-certified land surveyor. Inform the community leaders and land owners in the area of the date for the survey.  The surveyor will do this for you.
10.Make a public notification in the local newspapers and local radio station as well.
11.The surveyor will survey the land and prepare a new deed for the signature of the seller(s).
12.Visit the Probate Court and probate your newly signed deed. A number will be assigned to your deed showing you as the lawful owner.

13.Visit the Liberian Land Authority and register your newly probated deed.
14.Visit the Center for National Documents & Records Agency (CNDRA) and archive your newly registered deed.