What do I do when I get an offer on my property?

Receiving an offer is exciting — and the next step is reassuringly straightforward. Record the full terms, then call your conveyancer or solicitor. They'll guide the legal paperwork from there.

What should I do when I receive an offer?

You don't need to accept or reject an offer on the spot. Thank the buyer, let them know you'll consider it, and make sure you have the complete offer in writing.

1. Capture the full details

A price is only part of an offer. Record:

Price: the total amount offered.
Proposed deposit: your conveyancer or solicitor will confirm how and where this should be paid. Never have a buyer pay a property deposit into your personal bank account.
Conditions: for example, finance, building and pest, or the sale of another property.
Inclusions: anything the buyer wants included in the sale.
Settlement timeframe: such as 30, 60 or 90 days.
Buyer representative: the name and contact details of their conveyancer or solicitor.

You can use our Online Offer Form or the printable offer form in your account under Forms and Downloads. These forms record the proposed terms but are not, by themselves, a binding contract of sale.

2. Call your conveyancer or solicitor

Once you're happy to progress an offer, send the full details to your conveyancer or solicitor.

In NSW and the ACT, the contract should already have been prepared before the property was advertised. Your conveyancer or solicitor can update or finalise it with the agreed details and liaise with the buyer's representative.
In other states and territories, they will advise whether an existing contract can be updated or whether the contract and disclosure documents now need to be prepared or finalised.

From this point, your conveyancer or solicitor is your primary guide for the legal transfer. They can also tell you when the agreement becomes binding and when to update the listing status.

3. Manage your listing while the paperwork progresses

Ask your conveyancer or solicitor when they recommend changing the listing to Under Contract and Sold, as the timing can depend on the contract, conditions and state rules.

You may continue taking backup interest while the sale is conditional, but be clear with new enquirers that an offer or contract is already in progress.

Helpful negotiation resources

Updated on: 04/09/2026

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