The most common traps when looking for housing in Cameroon

Finding a home should be an exciting step, a sign of new beginnings and opportunities. But in many major cities in Cameroon, the reality is often quite different. For many, the quest for a roof over their heads quickly turns into an obstacle course, filled with scams, financial losses, and deep discouragement.

Fake agents and fraudulent listings

Fake intermediaries are the number one nightmare for home seekers. They present themselves as reliable "real estate agents," collect fees or an advance, and then disappear without a trace.

On top of that, there are misleading listings: attractive photos, enticing prices... but behind them, either the property doesn't exist, or it's no longer available. Many seekers end up paying a fortune in viewing fees. Even worse, some agents block all communication after collecting the money. Others advertise a property as "10 meters from the road," but upon arrival, it's actually more than 500 meters away, often in areas with difficult access.

The result: seekers' trust is put to the test, and every new listing becomes a source of suspicion.

Hidden fees and unjustified advances

Searching for a home isn't limited to the advertised rent. Many people face excessive agency fees, non-refundable advances of several months, or "viewing fees" that pile up with no guarantee of results. On average, a home seeker spends between 10,000 and 20,000 FCFA on unproductive viewings. These sums add up quickly, causing a well-planned initial budget to spiral out of control.

Useless viewings and the cost of wasted time

Beyond the scams, there are also the unproductive viewings. How many times do seekers spend money on motorcycle taxis or fuel only to find that the property doesn't match the listing at all? These weekly trips chip away at time, energy... and, most importantly, a lot of money. Some end up spending the equivalent of several months' rent just on fruitless viewings.

Psychological pressure and emotional fatigue

Searching for a home is also an emotional journey. Every disappointment, every financial loss, every dubious listing wears down motivation. Eventually, many give in to fatigue and accept a property that doesn't suit them, just to end the search. The stress sometimes becomes more burdensome than the financial difficulty.

Toward a necessary reflection: how to avoid these traps?

Faced with so many obstacles, a question remains: How can we protect home seekers? Better regulation, more transparency, and modern digital solutions... several avenues exist. But for now, the daily life of seekers remains marked by uncertainty and discouragement.

This reflection naturally leads to another dimension of the problem: beyond the traps, what is the true hidden cost of searching for housing? We will explore this in the next article.