Purchasing property with a partner is a common arrangement in Melbourne, and as of December 2025, sellers frequently encounter couples or other joint buyers during the sales process. It impacts how offers are structured and the legal documentation required to complete the sale.
Currently in Melbourne, when a property is marketed, all offers are considered regardless of the buyer’s structure. However, when an offer comes from multiple parties, the contract of sale will need to clearly define how ownership is held – typically as ‘joint tenants’ or ‘tenants in common’. This has implications for inheritance and future saleability. In the Melbourne Eastern Suburbs, where family homes are in high demand, we often see joint purchases, particularly amongst first-time buyers and those upgrading. Sellers should be aware that a joint offer may require slightly longer processing times for legal review, ensuring all parties are correctly listed and understand their obligations. As of December 2025, a typical sales campaign in areas like Balwyn or Doncaster runs for 4-6 weeks, and the contract review stage is a crucial part of that process. Buyers will usually engage their own conveyancer or solicitor to manage this. Marketing campaigns, costing between $3,000 and $8,000, are designed to attract a broad range of buyers, including those purchasing jointly.
Understanding that joint purchases are prevalent allows sellers to prepare for a potentially more complex offer negotiation and settlement process in 2026.