Receiving an Offer
Understand the terms before you sign.
Received an Offer to Purchase?
Receiving an offer on your property can be exciting, but the purchase price is only one part of the decision. The offer to purchase sets out the conditions, deadlines, deposit, finance arrangements, occupation terms and obligations that can affect whether the transaction proceeds and what you ultimately receive.
DealCheck provides an independent review of the available offer and supporting property information before you accept or sign. We help you understand the commercial implications, identify questions to raise and recognise terms that may require clarification, negotiation or professional legal advice.
Whether you are selling a home, investment property, commercial premises, industrial property or development land, DealCheck helps you make an informed decision before you commit.
Look beyond the offer price
A high offer is not always the strongest offer. A lower offer with a credible purchaser, workable finance, a meaningful deposit and clear timelines may be more likely to complete than a higher offer with uncertain conditions or long delays.
Before accepting, it is important to understand what the buyer is actually offering, what conditions still need to be met, how long the buyer has to meet them and what happens if the sale does not proceed as planned
What We Review Before You Accept an Offer
Purchase Price
The offered price in the context of the available property information, current market positioning, buyer conditions and the overall commercial strength of the proposal.
Buyer credibility
The information available about the buyer, their stated funding position, the credibility of finance arrangements and any dependencies that may affect their ability to complete the purchase.
Deposit
The amount, payment deadline, stakeholder arrangements, interest treatment, proof-of-payment requirements and consequences if the deposit is not paid.
Suspensive Conditions
Finance, due-diligence, sale-of-property, inspection, approval or other conditions that may delay, alter or terminate the transaction.
Timelines and deadlines
Dates for signing, deposit payment, finance approval, fulfilment of conditions, occupation, transfer and any extension or cancellation rights.
Occupation and possession
The proposed occupation date, occupational rent, handover responsibilities, possession, risk and practical access arrangements before transfer.
Costs and obligations
Potential obligations relating to rates, levies, utilities, compliance certificates, repairs, fixtures, disclosures, tenant matters and other transaction costs.
Property Details
Available property information, including ownership, legal description, zoning, recorded servitudes and other relevant information, subject to formal confirmation where needed.
Offer Wording
Potential obligations relating to rates, levies, utilities, compliance certificates, repairs, fixtures, disclosures, tenant matters and other transaction costs.
Commercial and industrial matters
Where relevant, lease terms, tenant status, zoning, access, power, operating costs, site functionality, development rights and purchaser due-diligence requirements.
DealCheck reviews the available information and commercial terms of the offer. It does not replace legal advice from a conveyancer or attorney, or specialist valuation, tax, technical, municipal or environmental advice where required
Why review before accepting?
Once an offer to purchase is signed and accepted, it may become legally binding, even if important details have not been fully considered. The wording around finance, deposit, occupation, defects, compliance, cancellation and time periods can materially affect your position as a seller.
An independent review helps you distinguish between a strong offer and an offer that appears attractive but carries avoidable uncertainty, cost, delay or risk.
It can also help you prepare better questions for the buyer, agent, conveyancer or attorney before you make a decision.
What you receive
A clear, plain-English review of the offered price and the key commercial terms.
An explanation of the deposit, finance, suspensive conditions, deadlines and occupation arrangements.
A summary of questions, risks and points that may need clarification or negotiation before acceptance.
A practical view of the transaction’s strengths, uncertainties and likely next steps.
Guidance on when to involve a conveyancer, attorney, valuer, tax professional, building inspector, town planner, engineer or other specialist.
Who is this for?
Homeowners who have received an offer to purchase and want to understand the terms before accepting.
Sellers of investment properties who need to consider existing leases, tenants, expenses, deposits or commercial obligations.
Commercial and industrial-property owners assessing offers for offices, retail premises, warehouses, factories, development land or owner-occupied facilities.
Executors, trustees, companies, investors and family members involved in a property sale decision.
Sellers who have received more than one offer and want to compare the commercial strength of each proposal—not only the headline price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to accept the first offer I receive?
No. You are generally not required to accept the first offer simply because it has been submitted. The best decision depends on the full commercial package, including price, deposit, finance, conditions, deadlines, buyer credibility and the likelihood that the transaction will proceed. Obtain legal advice before rejecting, accepting or negotiating an offer where necessary.
Is the highest offer always the best offer?
Not necessarily. A higher purchase price may be subject to uncertain finance, a low or delayed deposit, a sale-of-property condition, extensive due diligence or long timelines. A lower offer with stronger funding, clearer conditions and a more credible completion path may be commercially preferable.
What is a suspensive condition?
A suspensive condition is a condition that must be fulfilled before the agreement becomes fully enforceable or the sale proceeds, such as finance approval, satisfactory due diligence or the sale of another property. The wording, deadline and consequences of non-fulfilment should be understood before acceptance.
What should I send dealcheck for a review?
Send the offer to purchase, property address, listing link or marketing brochure, details of any other offers, relevant lease or tenant information where applicable and any concerns you have about price, finance, timing, occupation or conditions.
Can DealCheck compare more than one offer?
Yes. DealCheck can help compare multiple offers by looking beyond the headline purchase price to the deposit, buyer position, finance, conditions, timing, occupation arrangements and transaction risk.
Does DealCheck provide legal advice?
No. DealCheck provides independent property-offer review and commercial guidance. It does not replace advice from a conveyancer, attorney, tax adviser, valuer, building inspector, engineer, town planner or other appropriately qualified professional.
Can DealCheck review commercial and industrial offers?
Yes. DealCheck can review offers for residential, commercial and industrial property. For commercial and industrial transactions, the review can also consider lease arrangements, tenants, zoning, access, operating costs, development rights, site functionality and purchaser due-diligence conditions. Our specialty is in fact with commercial and industrial properties.