AU Australia property term
Set Date Sale
Western Australia
Plain-English definition
A WA marketing method inviting written offers by a nominated date, often without publishing a fixed asking price.
Why this matters to a foreign buyer
The seller may reserve the right to accept an offer before the date and is not automatically required to accept the highest offer. Read the campaign and contract terms closely.
A set date sale—sometimes searched for as a fixed date sale—is a marketing method that invites buyers to submit written offers by a nominated closing date, often without a published fixed asking price.
How a set date sale works
The seller markets the property for a defined period and asks interested buyers to lodge offers before the stated date. The seller may compare price, finance, settlement timing and other conditions rather than judging offers on price alone.
It is not automatically an auction
Buyers generally submit private written offers rather than bidding publicly. Unless the selling process and contract say otherwise, the seller is not necessarily obliged to accept the highest offer or any offer.
What buyers should ask
Ask whether the seller can accept an offer before the closing date, how offers will be presented, and whether a price guide is available. Put every required condition in the written Offer and Acceptance contract and avoid revealing an unsupported maximum budget.
- Closing date and time
- Whether early offers may be accepted
- Required finance, inspection and settlement conditions
Frequently asked questions
Is a set date sale the same as a fixed-price sale?
No. A set date sale normally sets a deadline for offers, while a fixed-price sale advertises a stated asking price.
Must the seller accept the highest offer?
Not necessarily. The seller may compare price and conditions and generally is not obliged to accept any offer unless a binding agreement has been made.
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