Making real estate investment accessible for Nigerians.
Making real estate investment accessible for Nigerians.
Making real estate investment accessible for Nigerians.
Qovest is a real estate mobile application empowering investors to effortlessly discover, purchase, and invest in real estate deals from anywhere. It eliminates the need for physical presence in the property's state, providing convenient access to deals across various locations.
Qovest is a real estate mobile application empowering investors to effortlessly discover, purchase, and invest in real estate deals from anywhere. It eliminates the need for physical presence in the property's state, providing convenient access to deals across various locations.
MY ROLE
MY ROLE
I collaborated closely with the team throughout the entire design process, from research and ideation to wireframing, design, prototyping, and testing. From the initial kickoff to the final delivery,
I collaborated closely with the team throughout the entire design process, from research and ideation to wireframing, design, prototyping, and testing. From the initial kickoff to the final delivery,
TEAM
TEAM
I worked with a team consisting of three product designers, a product manager, a graphics designer, and three developers (handling both back end and front end tasks), along with one product owner/maintainer.
I worked with a team consisting of three product designers, a product manager, a graphics designer, and three developers (handling both back end and front end tasks), along with one product owner/maintainer.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
Qovest is on a mission to modernize the real estate market.
Qovest is on a mission to modernize the real estate market.
Qovest is on a mission to modernize the real estate market.
The real estate market frequently presents obstacles for potential investors, including high upfront costs, limited financing options, and complex processes. Qovest aims to revolutionize the traditional real estate market, redefine property ownership, promote financial inclusion, and become the preferred choice for individuals seeking flexible investment opportunities.
The real estate market frequently presents obstacles for potential investors, including high upfront costs, limited financing options, and complex processes. Qovest aims to revolutionize the traditional real estate market, redefine property ownership, promote financial inclusion, and become the preferred choice for individuals seeking flexible investment opportunities.
RESEARCH -01
RESEARCH -01
What is the problem?
What is the problem?
What is the problem?
The primary mission of Qovest is to revolutionize real estate investment, making it easy and affordable for all. Our goal is to become the go-to tool for real estate investors in Nigeria. To create the perfect solution, we began by asking the right questions, some of which included:
The primary mission of Qovest is to revolutionize real estate investment, making it easy and affordable for all. Our goal is to become the go-to tool for real estate investors in Nigeria. To create the perfect solution, we began by asking the right questions, some of which included:
What motivates a user to invest in real estate?
What motivates a user to invest in real estate?
How do users evaluate potential real estate opportunities?
How do users evaluate potential real estate opportunities?
What are some of the steps a user would take before investing or buying a property?
What are some of the steps a user would take before investing or buying a property?
How do users manage their real estate portfolio or track investments?
How do users manage their real estate portfolio or track investments?
What challenges do users encounter when investing in real estate?
What challenges do users encounter when investing in real estate?
Are there specific features or tools users wish existed to make real estate investment easier for them?
Are there specific features or tools users wish existed to make real estate investment easier for them?
As a result of asking these questions, we gained valuable insights into how users perceive the real estate market, make decisions, and navigate challenges.
As a result of asking these questions, we gained valuable insights into how users perceive the real estate market, make decisions, and navigate challenges.
What we Discovered
What we Discovered
What we Discovered
High upfront costs: Affordability remains a significant barrier for many investors due to the substantial initial capital required to purchase properties.
High upfront costs: Affordability remains a significant barrier for many investors due to the substantial initial capital required to purchase properties.
Limited financing options: Access to financing, such as mortgages or loans, is often restricted, making it challenging for investors to secure funding for real estate ventures.
Limited financing options: Access to financing, such as mortgages or loans, is often restricted, making it challenging for investors to secure funding for real estate ventures.
Lack of transparency: The real estate market in Nigeria can be opaque, with limited access to reliable information on property prices, market trends, and legal regulations.
Lack of transparency: The real estate market in Nigeria can be opaque, with limited access to reliable information on property prices, market trends, and legal regulations.
GETTING INTO PROBLEM SOLVING
GETTING INTO PROBLEM SOLVING
Laying the Foundations
Laying the Foundations
After identifying the issues and challenges faced by real estate investors and buyers, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We went back to the drawing board to brainstorm and develop solutions to address these problems head-on.
After identifying the issues and challenges faced by real estate investors and buyers, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We went back to the drawing board to brainstorm and develop solutions to address these problems head-on.
UI DESIGN
UI DESIGN
Tackling the Problem
Tackling the Problem
Tackling the Problem
By analyzing survey insights and understanding investor needs, we devised strategies and features to overcome obstacles in Nigerian real estate investment. Our solutions aim to empower investors, simplify processes, and enhance transparency, fostering a more accessible and conducive environment for growth.
By analyzing survey insights and understanding investor needs, we devised strategies and features to overcome obstacles in Nigerian real estate investment. Our solutions aim to empower investors, simplify processes, and enhance transparency, fostering a more accessible and conducive environment for growth.
SOLUTION 1
SOLUTION 1
SOLUTION 1
Fractional Investments
Fractional Investments
Fractional Investments
This enables users to acquire real estate investments through fractional ownership. Each investment is divided into share units with an associated price per unit and a holding period ranging from 6 to 60 months.
This enables users to acquire real estate investments through fractional ownership. Each investment is divided into share units with an associated price per unit and a holding period ranging from 6 to 60 months.
This enables users to acquire real estate investments through fractional ownership. Each investment is divided into share units with an associated price per unit and a holding period ranging from 6 to 60 months.
SOLUTION 2
SOLUTION 2
SOLUTION 2
Sell Investment
Sell Investment
Sell Investment
This feature is designed for users who wish to sell share units from their investments, either entirely or in portions. Users interested in selling can locate the "sell" button on each of their active investments within the "active investments" section of the app.
This feature is designed for users who wish to sell share units from their investments, either entirely or in portions. Users interested in selling can locate the "sell" button on each of their active investments within the "active investments" section of the app.
This feature is designed for users who wish to sell share units from their investments, either entirely or in portions. Users interested in selling can locate the "sell" button on each of their active investments within the "active investments" section of the app.
SOLUTION 3
SOLUTION 3
SOLUTION 3
Buy now, pay later
Buy now, pay later
Buy now, pay later
This feature allows users to purchase homes and pay for them through monthly installments over a period of time. Users will initially make an upfront payment of the property's value. The remaining amount will be divided by the selected number of months, with each month's payment representing a percentage of the total property value.
This feature allows users to purchase homes and pay for them through monthly installments over a period of time. Users will initially make an upfront payment of the property's value. The remaining amount will be divided by the selected number of months, with each month's payment representing a percentage of the total property value.
This feature allows users to purchase homes and pay for them through monthly installments over a period of time. Users will initially make an upfront payment of the property's value. The remaining amount will be divided by the selected number of months, with each month's payment representing a percentage of the total property value.
SOLUTION 4
SOLUTION 4
SOLUTION 4
Save to invest
Save to invest
Save to invest
Users will have the opportunity to save individually or as a group towards specific investment goals.
Users will have the opportunity to save individually or as a group towards specific investment goals.
Users will have the opportunity to save individually or as a group towards specific investment goals.
USABILITY TESTING
USABILITY TESTING
Testing the Design.
Testing the Design.
Testing the Design.
During this phase, we conducted usability tests with prospective users using our mid-fidelity design to observe their interactions, navigation through the app, completion of specific scenario tasks, and the time taken to locate desired features.
During this phase, we conducted usability tests with prospective users using our mid-fidelity design to observe their interactions, navigation through the app, completion of specific scenario tasks, and the time taken to locate desired features.
Imagine you are interested in purchasing a property in Lagos with a budget of ₦10 million. How easy was it to find properties within your budget on the platform?
Imagine you are interested in purchasing a property in Lagos with a budget of ₦10 million. How easy was it to find properties within your budget on the platform?
Suppose you want to invest in a real estate project for a duration of 24 months. Can you describe how you would filter and identify suitable investment options on the platform?
Suppose you want to invest in a real estate project for a duration of 24 months. Can you describe how you would filter and identify suitable investment options on the platform?
You are considering selling a portion of your investment to realize some returns. Walk me through the process of locating and initiating the sale of your share units.
You are considering selling a portion of your investment to realize some returns. Walk me through the process of locating and initiating the sale of your share units.
Let's say you want to save towards a specific investment goal, such as purchasing a property in Abuja. How would you set up and track your savings progress on the platform?
Let's say you want to save towards a specific investment goal, such as purchasing a property in Abuja. How would you set up and track your savings progress on the platform?
ITERATING
ITERATING
Addressing the Issues.
Addressing the Issues.
Addressing the Issues.
After analyzing the results from our usability tests, we identified several high-severity issues (some of which are listed below). We then developed solutions to address these issues and implemented changes before advancing to our high-fidelity prototype for Qovest.
After analyzing the results from our usability tests, we identified several high-severity issues (some of which are listed below). We then developed solutions to address these issues and implemented changes before advancing to our high-fidelity prototype for Qovest.
ISSUE #1
ISSUE #1
ISSUE #1
The wallet section on the home page was confusing, as it didn't clearly indicate whether the balance included both investments and savings.
The wallet section on the home page was confusing, as it didn't clearly indicate whether the balance included both investments and savings.
The wallet section on the home page was confusing, as it didn't clearly indicate whether the balance included both investments and savings.
Suggested Change: Instead of displaying just the wallet balance, include the balances for both investments and savings. This will make it easier for users to see all their returns directly on the home page.
Suggested Change: Instead of displaying just the wallet balance, include the balances for both investments and savings. This will make it easier for users to see all their returns directly on the home page.
Suggested Change: Instead of displaying just the wallet balance, include the balances for both investments and savings. This will make it easier for users to see all their returns directly on the home page.
Evidence: All five participants were unsure about what the wallet balance entailed. While most understood the concept, they were uncertain if the balance included both savings and investment returns. Additionally, they were unclear on where to find the individual balances for savings and investments.
Evidence: All five participants were unsure about what the wallet balance entailed. While most understood the concept, they were uncertain if the balance included both savings and investment returns. Additionally, they were unclear on where to find the individual balances for savings and investments.
Evidence: All five participants were unsure about what the wallet balance entailed. While most understood the concept, they were uncertain if the balance included both savings and investment returns. Additionally, they were unclear on where to find the individual balances for savings and investments.
ISSUE #2
ISSUE #2
The Property cards on the home page were crowded and contained too much information
The Property cards on the home page were crowded and contained too much information
The Property cards on the home page were crowded and contained too much information
Suggested Change: Reduce the information on the cards and also the amount of property images.
Suggested Change: Reduce the information on the cards and also the amount of property images.
Suggested Change: Reduce the information on the cards and also the amount of property images.
Evidence: Three users out of five found the home page to be crowded due to the amount of images and information's on the property cards. while the other two thought it was okay but less images would be fine too.
Evidence: Three users out of five found the home page to be crowded due to the amount of images and information's on the property cards. while the other two thought it was okay but less images would be fine too.
Evidence: Three users out of five found the home page to be crowded due to the amount of images and information's on the property cards. while the other two thought it was okay but less images would be fine too.
ISSUE #3
ISSUE #3
ISSUE #3
The savings flow was not flexible and did not offer many options.
The savings flow was not flexible and did not offer many options.
The savings flow was not flexible and did not offer many options.
Suggested Change: Enhance the savings flow by providing multiple options for users, such as fixed and flexible savings. Allow users to withdraw their savings without targets and at their convenience. Additionally, include a feature for group savings to offer more flexibility and collaboration opportunities.
Suggested Change: Enhance the savings flow by providing multiple options for users, such as fixed and flexible savings. Allow users to withdraw their savings without targets and at their convenience. Additionally, include a feature for group savings to offer more flexibility and collaboration opportunities.
Suggested Change: Enhance the savings flow by providing multiple options for users, such as fixed and flexible savings. Allow users to withdraw their savings without targets and at their convenience. Additionally, include a feature for group savings to offer more flexibility and collaboration opportunities.
Evidence: The participants liked the savings options but felt they were too limited. Four participants were concerned about not being able to save or withdraw at will and without targets, while two were particularly interested in saving with friends.
Evidence: The participants liked the savings options but felt they were too limited. Four participants were concerned about not being able to save or withdraw at will and without targets, while two were particularly interested in saving with friends.
Evidence: The participants liked the savings options but felt they were too limited. Four participants were concerned about not being able to save or withdraw at will and without targets, while two were particularly interested in saving with friends.
Impact of the Design
Impact of the Design
Total number of onboarded investors
Total number of onboarded investors
1k+
1k+
Total assets sold/mortgaged
Total assets sold/mortgaged
50+
50+
Daily savings and transactions completion rate
Daily savings and transactions completion rate
99%
99%
The development and launch of Qovest have been marked by a series of challenges that tested our team's creativity and resilience. However, each obstacle was met with innovative solutions, resulting in a user-friendly real estate investment platform.
Qovest is now well-positioned to make property ownership accessible and affordable for Nigerians and Africans abroad. Our journey has just begun, and we are eager to see the positive impact Qovest will have on the real estate market.
Thank you for reading till the end.
The development and launch of Qovest have been marked by a series of challenges that tested our team's creativity and resilience. However, each obstacle was met with innovative solutions, resulting in a user-friendly real estate investment platform.
Qovest is now well-positioned to make property ownership accessible and affordable for Nigerians and Africans abroad. Our journey has just begun, and we are eager to see the positive impact Qovest will have on the real estate market.
Thank you for reading till the end.
BOOK A CALL
LET’S WORK
TOGETHER
SEND ME A MAIL
Have a vision in mind? Let's turn it into reality together. Reach out, and let's bring your project to live.
BOOK A CALL
LET’S WORK
TOGETHER
SEND ME A MAIL
Have a vision in mind? Let's turn it into reality together. Reach out, and let's bring your project to live.
BOOK A CALL
LET’S WORK
TOGETHER
SEND ME A MAIL
Have a vision in mind? Let's turn it into reality together. Reach out, and let's bring your project to live.