Buyers lose leverage the moment a seller receives cash before core facts are confirmed. A deposit should follow clarity, not replace it.
Confirm what exactly you are buying
Ask for the survey plan, registered title information, approved building drawings where relevant, and a clean summary of what is included in the transaction.
Ask who is signing and why they have authority
Many avoidable disputes come from dealing with a representative who does not control the asset. Confirm the owner, authorised signatory, and lawyer handling documentation.
Make the deposit conditional
- Conditional on satisfactory title review
- Conditional on clean physical inspection
- Conditional on agreed timeline for deed package and possession
Define the exit route before you pay
A deposit receipt without refund mechanics is not enough. Your written terms should state what happens if title review fails, boundaries do not align, or the seller misses the agreed timeline.
Strong buyers move quickly after diligence, not before it. Speed matters, but controlled speed matters more.