The seller chooses how to market a property. Before you offer on a home in Marshland or elsewhere in Canterbury, check the listing method, ask for the relevant sale documents and speak with your lawyer or conveyancer. The method affects the timing of your offer and when property, finance and legal checks must be completed.
An asking price or price guide is a starting point for a written offer, not a promise that the seller will accept it. You may offer above or below the advertised figure and propose conditions, such as finance approval, a property inspection or a valuation. A sale by negotiation generally has no advertised closing date. Discuss the price, conditions, chattels and settlement date with your lawyer before signing. Read Settled’s negotiation guide.
The seller sets an advertised date for offers, but may accept an offer earlier. If a listing says “unless sold prior”, register your interest promptly and ask the agent how you will hear about any change. You can submit a conditional or unconditional written offer before the deadline; include checks you genuinely need rather than dropping them to compete. Read Settled’s deadline guide.
At auction, bids are public and the property sells to the highest bidder once the seller’s reserve is reached. A successful auction bid is normally unconditional, so confirm finance, review the title and auction agreement, obtain any inspection or other advice you need, and understand the deposit before bidding. If you need a different term or a condition, discuss a variation with the agent and your lawyer before the auction; the seller must agree. If bidding does not reach reserve, the property may be passed in. Read Settled’s auction guide.
Buyers submit confidential written offers on tender documents by a specified time. The seller may accept, reject or negotiate after the deadline, and can sometimes sell earlier. Conditional offers are possible; check the tender terms, deposit and any “unless sold prior” wording with your lawyer. Read Settled’s tender guide.
For a practical offer checklist, read our negotiating an offer guide. You can also browse current Marshland listings or contact the team about the process for a specific property. The listing agent works for the seller; get your own legal advice before signing.