Question 1

What is HSF Direct?

Accepted Answer

HSF Direct is Nigeria's premier digital home loan origination platform powered by Housing Solution Fund (HSF) and operated by Houzzley Technologies Limited. We connect prospective homebuyers with verified lenders and quality properties from trusted developers across Nigeria, streamlining the entire homeownership journey from pre-approval to property acquisition.

Question 2

How is HSF Direct different from traditional home loan banks?

Accepted Answer

HSF Direct offers a fully digital experience with faster pre-approvals, curated property selections, transparent pricing, and real-time application tracking. Unlike traditional banks that may take weeks, our technology-driven approach provides instant pre-qualification and significantly reduces paperwork and processing time.

Question 3

Who can use HSF Direct?

Accepted Answer

HSF Direct is available to Nigerian citizens and residents aged 18 and above with a verifiable source of income. Whether you're a salaried employee, business owner, or self-employed professional, we offer tailored home loan solutions to match your financial profile.

Question 4

Is HSF Direct available nationwide?

Accepted Answer

Yes! HSF Direct is available nationwide. We partner with developers and lenders in all states of Nigeria.

Question 5

How long does the pre-approval process take?

Accepted Answer

Our digital pre-approval process takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete the initial form. Once submitted, qualified applicants typically receive a response within 24-48 hours. Complex cases requiring additional documentation may take up to 5 business days.

Question 6

What documents do I need for pre-approval?

Accepted Answer

You'll need: Valid government-issued ID (National ID, Driver's License, or International Passport), Bank Verification Number (BVN), recent bank statements (last 6 months), employment verification letter or business registration documents, recent pay slips or proof of income, and tax clearance certificate (if applicable). Our platform will guide you through the specific requirements based on your profile.

Question 7

Does getting pre-approved affect my credit score?

Accepted Answer

No. Getting pre-approved does not affect your credit score. But your credit score is used to determine your eligibility for a home loan.

Question 8

What credit score do I need?

Accepted Answer

While credit scores are considered, HSF Direct evaluates multiple factors including income stability, debt-to-income ratio, employment history, and savings. We work with various lenders who have different criteria, so even if you have limited credit history, you may still qualify for a home loan.

Question 9

How much can I borrow?

Accepted Answer

Loan amounts vary, depending on your income, creditworthiness, and the property value. Your pre-approval amount is calculated based on your debt-to-income ratio, ensuring you can comfortably afford monthly repayments. Generally, your monthly payment shouldn't exceed 33% of your gross income.

Question 10

How do you select properties for your platform?

Accepted Answer

We partner exclusively with verified developers who meet strict vetting criteria. Every property undergoes due diligence covering: valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), proper title documentation, market value verification, and developer financial stability. Only properties that pass all checks are listed on our platform.

Question 11

Can I buy properties not listed on your platform?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While we specialize in pre-vetted properties from our partner developers, our home loan products can be used for any qualifying property purchase. Contact us to discuss your desired property, and we'll help facilitate the necessary due diligence and financing.

Question 12

What types of properties are available?

Accepted Answer

Our platform features a wide range of properties including apartments, duplexes, terrace houses, semi-detached homes, fully detached villas, and land. Properties range from affordable housing to luxury estates, with various purchase options: outright purchase, installment payments, and home loan financing.

Question 13

Are all properties move-in ready?

Accepted Answer

No. Properties on our platform have different completion statuses: Move-in Ready (fully completed), Under Construction (with clear timelines), and Off-Plan (pre-construction with development roadmap). Each listing clearly indicates its status, and off-plan properties typically offer early-bird discounts.

Question 14

What interest rates do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Interest rates vary depending on the borrower, loan amount, tenure, and your credit profile. Rates typically range from 9.75% to 22% per annum. Your personalized rate will be disclosed during the application process. HSF Direct works with multiple lenders to secure competitive rates for our clients.

Question 15

What are the repayment terms?

Accepted Answer

Home loan tenures range from 5 to 25 years, depending on your age and years to retirement. Longer tenures result in lower monthly payments but higher total interest paid. You can choose monthly repayment schedules that align with your salary cycle.

Question 16

How much equity contribution do I need?

Accepted Answer

Most lenders require an equity contribution (down payment) of 10-30% of the property value. The exact percentage depends on the lender's policy, property type, and your financial profile. Some first-time homebuyer programs may offer lower equity requirements.

Question 17

Can I make early repayments or pay off my loan before the tenure ends?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most lenders allow early repayments without penalties, though some may charge a small fee. Early repayment can significantly reduce your total interest cost. Contact your loan officer to understand the specific terms of your home loan agreement.

Question 18

What fees are involved in getting a home loan?

Accepted Answer

For home loans, we do charge an appraisal fee that varies depending on the property value. The fee is paid during the application process.

Question 19

What documents are required for the full loan application?

Accepted Answer

After pre-approval, you'll need to submit: Government-issued ID, BVN, 6 months bank statements, Employment/Business verification, Proof of income (pay slips, audited accounts), Tax clearance certificate, Property documents (C of O, survey plan, purchase agreement), and Insurance documents. Our platform provides a checklist to track your progress.

Question 20

How do I submit documents?

Accepted Answer

All documents are submitted digitally through your HSF Direct dashboard. Simply upload clear scans or photos of your documents in PDF, JPG, or PNG format (max 10MB per file). Our system uses bank-level encryption to protect your sensitive information.

Question 21

What if my documents are rejected?

Accepted Answer

If a document is rejected, you'll receive clear feedback on what needs correction (e.g., unclear image, expired document, missing information). You can easily re-upload corrected documents through your dashboard. Our support team is available to guide you through the process.

Question 22

How long do you keep my documents?

Accepted Answer

We retain your documents for the duration of your loan application and, if approved, throughout the loan tenure plus 7 years as required by Nigerian financial regulations. All data is stored securely in compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

Question 23

How do you protect my personal information?

Accepted Answer

We employ bank-grade 256-bit SSL encryption for all data transmission and storage. Your information is never shared with third parties without your explicit consent, except as required for loan processing with your chosen lender.

Question 24

Is HSF Direct a licensed platform?

Accepted Answer

Yes. HSF Direct is operated by Houzzley Technologies Limited in partnership with Housing Solution Fund (HSF), a licensed and regulated entity. We work exclusively with SEC-licensed and CBN-regulated financial institutions.

Question 25

How can I verify property authenticity?

Accepted Answer

All properties on our platform undergo rigorous verification. However, we encourage buyers to conduct independent due diligence. We provide: Property title verification reports, Developer background checks, Construction progress photos, Legal documentation review, and Direct connection to developers for property inspection.

Question 26

What happens to my money if a project fails?

Accepted Answer

We only partner with financially stable developers with proven track records. Additionally, your home loan funds are typically disbursed in tranches linked to construction milestones, protecting your investment. Lenders often require insurance coverage and performance bonds from developers.

Question 27

What happens after I find a property I like?

Accepted Answer

Once you select a property: 1) Submit a formal loan application with required documents, 2) Property valuation is conducted by the lender, 3) Loan offer is issued if approved, 4) Legal documentation and agreements are signed, 5) Equity contribution is paid, 6) Property is registered in your name, 7) Home loan begins. Our team guides you through each step.

Question 28

How long does it take to complete the entire process?

Accepted Answer

From application submission to property handover typically takes 45-90 days for move-in ready properties. The timeline depends on: Document submission speed, Lender processing time, Property valuation, Legal documentation, and Equity payment. Under-construction properties follow the developer's completion schedule.

Question 29

Can I change my property selection after starting an application?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can change your property selection before final loan approval and disbursement. However, this may require restarting certain processes like valuation and documentation. It's best to be certain of your choice before proceeding to advanced stages.

Question 30

What if my loan application is denied?

Accepted Answer

If one lender denies your application, we can resubmit to alternative lenders in our network who may have different criteria. We'll provide feedback on why the application was denied and guidance on improving your profile for future applications. Pre-approval doesn't guarantee final approval, but we work hard to match you with the right lender.

Question 31

What kind of support do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We offer comprehensive support including: Dedicated relationship managers, Real-time application tracking via dashboard, Email and phone support (Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm WAT), Educational resources and guides, Property inspection coordination, and Post-purchase follow-up. We're with you every step of the way.

Question 32

Can I speak with someone in person?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our office is located at 1610 Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island, Lagos. You can schedule an in-person consultation, video call, or phone call with our team. Contact us at +234 817 4224 060 or info@hsfdirect.ng to book an appointment.

Question 33

Do you provide financial literacy or homebuyer education?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer free resources including: Home loan calculators, Homebuying guides, Webinars and workshops, Blog articles on homeownership, Budget planning tools, and One-on-one financial counseling. We believe informed buyers make better decisions.

Question 34

What if I have issues during or after property handover?

Accepted Answer

We provide post-purchase support and can mediate issues between you and the developer during the defect liability period (typically 6-12 months). For home loan payment issues, contact your lender immediately—restructuring options may be available during financial hardship.

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