Thinking of Making an Offer?
Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Sign
Before you sign anything, it’s important to be confident about where you stand.
Here’s a quick checklist for making an offer on a property to help you move forward with peace of mind (and fewer surprises!).
1. Know Where Your Finances Are At
Make sure you have a clear picture of your borrowing power. Do you have pre-approval? Was it fully assessed or just a quick online estimate?
Many lenders no longer do full assessments upfront, so if you applied directly, speak to your lender.
Better yet, work with a mortgage broker. That way, you know a human has reviewed your documentation and checked the figures thoroughly. If a full assessment is recommended, your broker can guide you to a lender that offers proper assessment (not just a quick system-generated approval).
This gives you greater confidence that your pre-approval will hold up when it counts.
2. Don’t Skip the Building & Pest Inspection
We’ve heard it before: “It’s a brand new home or only 7 years old, you don’t need a building inspection—it comes with a builder’s warranty!”
While that sounds reassuring, it’s not always enough. Builder warranties have limitations and don’t cover everything—especially if issues aren’t picked up right away. Whether the property is new or old, always arrange an independent building and pest inspection. It’s better to be safe than stuck with costly surprises.
3. Check the Dates and Line Up Your Team
Make sure your broker, lender, and conveyancer can meet the contract dates before you commit. If you’re both selling and buying, double-check that your timelines align to avoid stress, penalties, or settlement issues.
4. Deposit: Do You Have It Ready?
You’ll usually need to pay a deposit once your offer is accepted. If you don’t have instant access to the full amount, talk to your broker about using a deposit bond. It can give you the flexibility to proceed without delays.
5. Make Sure Your Conveyancer Reviews the Contract – Thoroughly
It’s standard for a conveyancer to review your contract, but not all conveyancers go the extra mile to recommend key conditions that protect you as a buyer.
One critical example is adding a clause that all appliances must be in good working order at settlement.
Why is this important? On the day of your final inspection, if the ducted heating, oven, lights, or any appliance isn’t working, the vendor could claim it was already broken at the time you inspected the home.
Without this clause, you may have no way to dispute it.
A thorough, proactive contract review can save you major headaches—so make sure your conveyancer is thinking ahead.
6. Get the Right Advice Early
Buying property involves a lot of moving parts, but the right advice makes it smoother. Reach out to your conveyancer and broker early—before you sign. They’ll help you understand the contract, key clauses, and what to check, so you’re protected from day one.
Ready to Make Your Move?
If you’re thinking of making an offer soon, the WhiteStar Finance & Conveyancing team is here to support you every step of the way—from sorting your finance and reviewing contracts to congratulating you on settlement.
Liz, our experienced licensed conveyancer, makes herself genuinely available for your questions and concerns, and she’s known for offering clear, helpful advice when it matters most.
Take a moment to read some of our client reviews —you’ll quickly see how valuable it is to have a great conveyancer on your side.
Want to find out if we can help you? Let’s chat—no pressure, just great support.