The inspection has gone well. You have watched the video twice, discussed the layout and started imagining the move. Then the selling agent calls: the owner will consider an offer before auction.
It is an invitation worth exploring. Before naming a figure, find out what happens if the owner likes it.
Ask what the seller would do next
Will the owner consider exchanging before the next open home? Are there settlement dates that would help them? Is there a specific obstacle to selling now, or do they simply want to see what buyers will offer?
You may not get a clear answer immediately. The response still helps you decide how to proceed. A seller willing to discuss an exchange timetable is giving you more to work with than one asking everyone for their best number while leaving the campaign unchanged.
There is a difference between being invited into a negotiation and being asked to provide another price reference.
Put the terms beside the price
Consider this illustrative situation: a seller wants extra time to organise their next move, while you will remain overseas for several months. A later settlement could suit both parties. Your lawyer needs to advise on the terms, but the conversation has a useful starting point beyond simply increasing the offer.
The reverse can also happen. A seller wants a quick settlement, while your funds or lending arrangements need more time. That mismatch should be addressed before you offer more to secure a deal you cannot comfortably complete.
Ask your representative to put the price, proposed timing, relevant conditions and requested response together. Each should reflect what you are actually prepared to do.
Prepare for a yes
It is easy to focus on persuading the owner and overlook what acceptance would require from you. Arrange the contract review, necessary property checks and finance discussions early enough to understand the commitment.
Being overseas adds practical questions. Who can reach you during Sydney business hours? Are both decision makers available? Has your lawyer explained the signing steps and advised on any cooling off position?
NSW Government guidance makes clear that an accepted offer can still be overtaken by another buyer before exchange. Your lawyer should confirm when a binding contract is in place. A positive phone call is a reason to progress the agreed steps promptly.
Decide your response before the next call
If the seller counters, compare the proposal with the property evidence and the terms you would receive. Have a clear limit and a reason for it.
If the owner repeatedly seeks a higher figure without committing to a path forward, you can leave the offer where it is or return your attention to other options. You do not need to bid against your own wish to have the search finished.
Waiting carries a risk too: another buyer may reach an agreement first. The decision should reflect how well this home fits, what comparable alternatives exist and whether the seller is prepared to make a deal.
If you have found a Sydney property and are considering an early offer, call us before putting forward your figure. Our buying service can help assess the home, speak with the agent and plan the negotiation alongside your legal adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Should we make an offer simply to find out the owner's price?
An offer may reveal their position, but it also reveals yours. First ask what price and terms the owner would seriously consider, then decide whether a formal proposal serves your interests.
What if the owner accepts while we are asleep overseas?
Agree a contact and response plan before submitting the offer. Make sure the relevant advisers know your availability and the steps you are prepared to take, without assuming anyone can commit beyond their authority.
