Last updated: June 2026
You can buy an apartment in Accra entirely remotely. Choose the unit on a video tour, sign through a power of attorney, pay a reservation fee and then staged milestone payments, and take handover with your lawyer or a surveyor inspecting on your behalf. You own the apartment outright and hold a renewable lease on the land, with your name on the title.
Apartments are the most common diaspora purchase in Accra, and the easiest to buy from abroad. The unit is standardised, the developer handles the building and the common areas, and the paperwork is the same for every buyer. This guide is apartment-specific; for the wider process across all property types, see our full guide to buying property in Ghana from abroad.
Choosing the right unit from abroad
Start with what the apartment is for. A studio or one-bedroom is built for rental income and short lets; a two or three-bedroom suits families and corporate tenants. Floor level, view and orientation affect both price and resale, so ask for the floor plan and a live walkthrough before you reserve.
| Unit type | Indicative size | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 30 to 40 sq m | Short-let income and first entry to the market |
| One-bedroom | 60 to 72 sq m | Single professionals and strong rental demand |
| Two-bedroom | 91 to 102 sq m | Small families and corporate lets |
| Three-bedroom | About 135 sq m | Families and longer-term occupiers |
| Penthouse | 257 to 280 sq m | Owner-occupiers and trophy rentals |
Sizes vary by development, but the table above reflects a typical prime scheme. If income is the goal, look at what a studio apartment can earn on short lets before you decide on a unit type.
Reserving and signing without flying in
You reserve the unit with a fixed fee, then your lawyer reviews and signs the sales and purchase agreement under a power of attorney. Every signature that has to happen in Ghana is covered by that mandate, so you never need to be in the room.
The power of attorney is the one document that needs care, because Ghana is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention: it must be notarised at home and then legalised at a Ghanaian mission. Our guide to the power of attorney for a Ghana purchase walks through the wording and the legalisation chain for your country.
How off-plan payments are staged
Off-plan apartments are paid for in tranches: a reservation fee, a deposit of 10% to 30%, then the balance in milestones tied to construction stages over 12 to 36 months, usually interest-free. You pay against progress you can see on site visits or in build updates.
| Stage | Typical payment | When |
|---|---|---|
| Reservation | A fixed reservation fee | On choosing the unit |
| Deposit | 10% to 30% of the price | On signing the agreement |
| Milestones | Balance in tranches | Tied to construction stages, usually over 12 to 36 months |
| Completion | Final balance | On handover of the keys |
Staged payments are one of the quiet advantages of buying off-plan. They spread the cost over the build and let you enter at the early-phase price. To understand the resale upside that can create, read how off-plan buyers buy at launch and sell on completion.
Paying for it safely
Pay by bank transfer into a law-firm or escrow account, never a personal account. For overseas buyers, Ghana’s investment law guarantees that a registered foreign investor can repatriate rental income and sale proceeds in a convertible currency through an authorised bank, net of tax.
Prime apartments are usually priced and let in US dollars, which keeps a dollar-based buyer free of exchange risk on both the price and the eventual rent. Keep every receipt and the bank trail, as you will want them for repatriation and for any tax credit claim at home.
Apartments built to a deadline
Every Imaani apartment is fully titled and delivered on a 100% on-time record, so an off-plan unit bought from abroad arrives exactly when promised. See what is available now.
View available apartmentsRemote handover and snagging
At completion the developer runs a handover inspection and a defects period. If you are abroad, appoint your lawyer or a surveyor to walk the unit on a video call, list anything to be fixed, and confirm the snags are cleared before you accept the keys and make the final payment.
Hold the final tranche until the snagging list is closed. A developer confident in its build will expect this, and it is your main point of leverage when you are not there in person.
The title you receive
On completion you receive title to your apartment and a share of the long lease on the land. As a foreign national the lease runs 50 years and is renewable; dual citizens can hold up to 99 years. The lease is mortgageable, transferable and inheritable, so it is a real asset, not just a right to occupy.
Registration at the Lands Commission usually takes three to six months after completion, and your lawyer tracks it for you. For exactly what foreign ownership means in law, see can foreigners own property in Ghana.
About Imaani Homes
Imaani Homes is an Accra-based luxury real estate developer, established in 2019, building investment-grade apartments in Ghana’s most prestigious addresses. Across four developments we have delivered every project on time, with two fully sold out: JAK Royale, our debut development, and The Ivy. Alexis Residence in Tesano is over 90% sold, and our flagship Regalia, in the Airport Residential Area, is open for reservations. Our standard is simple: the right property, in the right address, delivered exactly as promised.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an apartment in Accra without travelling there?
Yes. You can choose the unit on a live video tour, sign through a power of attorney, pay by bank transfer in stages, and take handover remotely. Many diaspora buyers only visit once the keys are ready.
What do I actually own when I buy an apartment?
You own your apartment outright and hold a share of the long lease on the land beneath the building. As a foreign national that underlying lease runs 50 years and is renewable; dual citizens can hold up to 99 years. Your name sits on the title.
How do off-plan payments work?
You usually pay a reservation fee, then a deposit of 10% to 30%, then the balance in milestones tied to construction stages over 12 to 36 months, typically interest-free. You pay against visible progress rather than all at once.
Is buying off-plan safe?
It is safe when the developer has a delivery record, the title and building permit are in order, and payments are staged against construction. The real question is completion risk, so choose a developer that has handed over finished buildings on time before.
How is snagging handled if I am abroad?
Reputable developers run a handover inspection and a defects period. You can appoint your lawyer or a surveyor to walk the unit on your behalf, with a video call, and list any items to be fixed before you accept the keys.
Want to reserve an apartment remotely?
Tell us the unit type and budget you have in mind and we will arrange a live tour, hold the unit, and guide the paperwork from abroad.
Arrange a virtual tourImportant notice. The figures in this article, including yields, prices, costs, tax rates, and timelines, are indicative estimates based on current market conditions and public sources, and are provided for general information only. They are not guarantees, forecasts, or financial, legal, or tax advice. Actual figures vary with circumstances and change over time. Before making any decision, seek independent professional advice. All purchases are governed solely by the terms of the relevant Sales and Purchase Agreement.