Last updated: June 2026
Off-plan purchases in Accra are usually paid in stages: a reservation fee, a deposit of 10% to 30% on signing, then the balance in tranches tied to construction milestones over 12 to 36 months, with a final payment at handover. These plans are typically interest-free, so you spread the cost across the build. Pay only into an escrow or law-firm account, and release each tranche when its milestone is genuinely reached.
The payment plan is one of the quiet advantages of buying off-plan, and one of its main protections. This guide explains the typical structure, why it is built the way it is, and how to use it safely. It supports our off-plan investment strategy guide.
What a milestone plan is
A milestone plan splits the price into a reservation fee, a deposit, a series of tranches tied to construction stages, and a final payment at handover. Instead of paying everything upfront or taking a loan, you pay in steps as the building goes up, usually with no interest.
| Stage | Typical payment | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Reservation | A fixed reservation fee | Choosing and holding the unit |
| Deposit | 10% to 30% of the price | Signing the agreement |
| Milestones | The balance in tranches | Construction stages reached |
| Completion | Final balance | Handover of the keys |
The structure is standard across well-run developments, though the exact percentages vary. What matters is that the tranches track construction, not just dates on a calendar.
Why payments track construction
Linking each tranche to a construction milestone protects you. You pay against progress you can see, so your money follows the build rather than running ahead of it, and you keep leverage if the developer falls behind. A plan tied to the calendar instead of construction offers far less protection.
This is the single feature to insist on. Ask exactly which construction stage triggers each payment, and make sure the agreement spells it out, as covered in the sales and purchase agreement.
The interest-free advantage
A developer milestone plan is usually interest-free, which is a significant saving against a mortgage at around 10% to 12% in dollars or from 22% in cedis. In effect you finance the purchase through the build at no interest cost, which improves your overall return.
| Factor | Developer milestone plan | Mortgage |
|---|---|---|
| Interest | Usually none | Around 10% to 12% in USD; from ~22% in cedis |
| Upfront | 10% to 30% deposit | Around 20% deposit plus costs |
| Best for | Off-plan, spreading cost across the build | Completed units or added leverage |
That is why many off-plan buyers use the developer plan first and consider a mortgage only later, if they want to release capital. We compare the funding routes in mortgages and financing for Ghana property.
Spread the cost, interest-free
Imaani sells off-plan with staged, interest-free payment plans against a 100% on-time delivery record, so you pay as the building rises. Ask us about the plan on a specific unit.
Explore the investment casePaying safely
Pay into a law-firm or escrow account, never a personal one, and release each tranche only when its construction milestone is genuinely reached. Hold the final payment until the handover inspection and any snagging are complete, since that final tranche is your main leverage.
These safeguards turn a staged plan from a leap of faith into a controlled process. Combined with a proven developer, they are why off-plan can be done with confidence, as set out in is off-plan property safe in Ghana.
Plan or mortgage?
For off-plan, the interest-free milestone plan usually wins, because it spreads cost across the build at no interest and ties payments to progress. A mortgage suits completed units or buyers wanting leverage. The two are not mutually exclusive across a longer investing journey.
Match the funding to the purchase: plan for off-plan, mortgage for completed or leveraged buys. Both work, but they solve different problems.
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
How do off-plan milestone payment plans work?
You pay a reservation fee, then a deposit of 10% to 30% on signing, then the balance in tranches tied to construction stages over 12 to 36 months, with a final payment at handover. The plan is usually interest-free, so you spread the cost across the build.
Why are payments tied to construction stages?
Because it protects you. Linking each tranche to a construction milestone means you pay against visible progress rather than the calendar, so your money tracks the build. It also gives you leverage if the developer falls behind.
Are milestone plans interest-free?
Typically yes. A developer payment plan usually carries no interest, which is a major advantage over a mortgage at around 10% to 12% in dollars or from 22% in cedis. You are effectively financing the purchase through the build at no interest cost.
How do I pay safely?
Pay into a law-firm or escrow account, never a personal account, and only release each tranche when its construction milestone is genuinely reached. Hold the final payment until the handover inspection and any snagging are complete.
Is a milestone plan better than a mortgage?
For off-plan, often yes, because it is interest-free and tied to progress. A mortgage suits completed units or buyers who want leverage. Many investors use the developer plan to fund the build, then decide on a mortgage only if they want to release capital later.
Want to see a payment plan?
Tell us your budget and we will show you the deposit and milestone schedule on units that fit, so you can see exactly how the cost spreads.
Talk to our teamImportant 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.