A useful offer is a complete proposal, not just a price. Before signing, understand what you are committing to, which checks you still need and how the dates fit your finances and move. The listing salesperson represents the seller; involve your own lawyer and lender early.
Ask how the property is being sold, whether a deadline applies and how offers are to be presented. Register your interest with the listing salesperson so relevant process changes can be communicated. A negotiation, deadline, tender and auction do not all work the same way. Our auction preparation guide deals separately with bidding.
Discuss price, deposit, settlement, chattels, conditions and any special arrangements with your lawyer. Agree what will happen if one of those details changes during negotiation. A preferred settlement date can be important, but it still needs to work with lending, your existing home and practical access.
Prepare a short offer brief for yourself: your limit, the reasons for it, the matters requiring advice and the dates you can realistically meet. That makes it easier to consider a counter-offer without losing sight of the original decision.
Your lawyer can advise on appropriate wording and dates for finance, property checks or other matters relevant to you. Confirm what your lender requires for this particular purchase, even if you have an earlier approval. An unconditional offer leaves no purchaser conditions to satisfy, so do not remove a protection merely to make the paperwork look simpler.
Settled explains buying by negotiation and conditional offers. Its guidance is useful background; the agreement you sign and advice for your circumstances govern the next steps.
The seller may accept, reject or seek changes. Have proposed changes reviewed before signing them. Record the latest version, who is following up each condition and when an answer is due. If another written offer is involved, ask the salesperson to explain the multi-offer process. Do not assume there will be another chance to improve your proposal.
After agreement, diarise the required actions with your lawyer and lender. For viewings and property information, contact the listing salesperson. Read our property-check guide and settlement and moving guide for the tasks either side of the offer.