An offer is more than its price. The deposit, conditions, included items and settlement date determine how the sale will work. Give yourself room to understand the whole proposal with your lawyer before you accept it or make a counter-offer.
Your salesperson presents the written offer and explains the proposal. Ask your lawyer to review the legal terms and consequences before you sign. Check that the correct property and owners are identified and that any special arrangements are recorded accurately.
You can discuss the offer’s strengths and weaknesses before deciding. A counter-offer changes the proposal and needs careful handling; ask your lawyer and salesperson how acceptance and communication will work. A verbal conversation is not a substitute for the written agreement.
If timing matters more than a small price difference, say so. A buyer’s preferred settlement may fit your move well, while an apparently higher offer may contain conditions that introduce uncertainty. Compare the complete terms without treating any conditional agreement as a completed sale.
A multi-offer process involves more than one written offer. Ask the salesperson to explain the procedure and the information each buyer will receive. You do not have to accept the highest offer or any offer, and you may have options to negotiate further.
Keep your priorities clear and take advice on the documents. Buyers may have limited opportunity to improve their proposal, so the process needs to be communicated fairly. Settled provides independent guidance on receiving and making counter-offers and multi-offer situations.
Record the key dates with your lawyer and respond promptly to requests for access or information. If further investigation raises an issue, seek advice about the agreement before agreeing to a change. Your obligations and options depend on the actual wording.
For an occupied or tenanted property, organise inspection access through the correct process. Do not promise vacant possession or give notice based only on an expectation that a sale will proceed. Your lawyer can help ensure the agreement and possession arrangements fit.
Once the agreement is unconditional, work through your lawyer’s settlement instructions. Keep the home and agreed chattels in the condition required by the contract, arrange your move and allow for the buyer’s pre-settlement inspection. Resolve questions through the appropriate advisers before settlement day.
For a holiday home, make an inventory of keys, access devices, manuals and any items agreed to remain. Clarify guest bookings and any arrangements that affect possession. Remove personal information from devices or documents you are taking out of the property. Keys are released through the agreed process after settlement is confirmed.
Start earlier in the journey with our selling guide, sale-method comparison and preparation checklist.
Arrange a property appraisal or call 07 866 2190 to talk with Ray White Whitianga at 22 Monk Street. You can also meet the sales team and choose the person you would like to work with.