Making your first offer — the %%visual%% version.
A flowchart showing the decision points between seeing a property at an open home and signing a contract. The sister piece to our 5-Step Buying Process and the How to Make an Offer guide.
One property. Two decisions.
Two decisions drive the offer: what price, and what conditions. Everything else flows from those.
Do you want to make an offer on this property?
What conditions does the property need?
LIM report condition (if not already reviewed)
Building report condition (almost always)
Building report condition (almost always)
Building report condition (almost always)
Building report condition (almost always)
Walk away — and that's fine
Not every open home is a match
Save the comps data for the next one
Save the comps data for the next one
Save the comps data for the next one
Save the comps data for the next one
Use this flowchart when…
You're looking at a LIM report, a building report, or an Auckland property listing and something doesn't add up. Run the flowchart. It'll tell you whether you need to push for documents, walk, or proceed.
You've seen a property you'd consider buying and want to map the offer process before committing.
Your agent is pressuring you for a quick offer and you want to slow down and think.
You're preparing for a multi-offer situation and want to pre-plan your moves.
You're a mortgage adviser walking a client through the offer decision.
Angus Grayson, LLB
The hardest part of a first offer isn't the price — it's the sequence of decisions that feed into the price. This flowchart is the sequence, drawn out.
Send me the flowchart.
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Before you download.
How is this different from the 5-Step Buying Process?
The 5-Step Process covers the whole journey from first call to settlement. This flowchart zooms into one decision: the first offer itself.
Can I use this for auctions?
Not directly — auction bidding is a different mental model (no conditions, hammer falls). See the 3Ps Auction Edition.
What if the seller has a very short expiry deadline?
Then the research steps run in parallel rather than sequence. Talk to your lawyer immediately.
Can I use this flowchart after I've signed?
No — this is specifically the pre-contract decision tool. Once you're under contract, the 3Ps P2 (Progress) stage takes over.