What Does Expressions of Interest Mean in Real Estate?
“Expressions of Interest.” It sounds formal. Polite. Maybe even a bit exclusive, like you're being invited to something slightly more refined than a standard sales process.
But if you’re buying in Sydney, you’ve probably already asked the question: What does Expressions of Interest really mean?
Because behind the polished language is a process that can be confusing, vague, and incredibly frustrating for buyers.
Image: Christian Stahl
What Does Expressions of Interest Mean in Practice?
In real estate, Expressions of Interest (EOI) is a sales method where buyers are invited to submit a written offer by a set deadline, usually without any guidance on pricing. There's no advertised price, no auction date, and no clear indication of what the seller expects.
In other words:
We’re not going to tell you what the vendor wants. We’re not going to tell you what other buyers are offering. But feel free to make a blind offer and see what happens.
This isn’t a pricing strategy. It’s a hope-someone-overpays strategy.
Why the EOI Process Leaves Buyers in the Dark
When properties are sold via Expressions of Interest, transparency goes out the window.
There’s no price guide (or if there is, it’s vague or meaningless).
You don’t know how many other people are offering.
You have no idea whether your offer is competitive or completely off the mark.
It’s like being told to throw a number into the void and cross your fingers.
So, if you’re wondering, what does Expressions of Interest mean for me as a buyer? The short answer is: guesswork. And a lot of it.
The Reality: Most Offers Come in Low (But That’s the Point)
In many EOI campaigns, here’s what actually happens:
A handful of buyers submit low, cautious offers.
None meet the vendor’s expectations.
The property lingers… unless one buyer overcommits.
That’s what the seller and their agent are hoping for. Not competition. Just one person who misjudges the market and overshoots the offer.
That’s the catch with Expressions of Interest: it’s less about finding fair market value and more about seeing who might stretch the furthest.
Why This Strategy Frustrates Serious Buyers
As a Sydney-based buyers agent, we see this dynamic all the time.
Buyers come to us after weeks or months of searching, feeling confused and unsure how to make a competitive offer on a property with no price guide. They’re asking:
What does this property actually sell for?
Are they expecting $2.8M… or $3.5M?
Is this even worth pursuing, or are we wasting time?
The truth is, the EOI process often favours the vendor by keeping expectations unclear, and that lack of clarity can lead to buyer fatigue, missed opportunities, or worse, overpaying out of fear of missing out.
There’s a Smarter Way to Approach EOI Campaigns
So, what should you do when a property is listed as Expressions of Interest?
First, understand that you’re not playing with a full deck. The information imbalance is real, and designed that way. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t offer. It just means you need to go in with your eyes open.
At The Acquiry, we help clients:
Analyse what similar properties have actually sold for
Assess what a fair market value looks like (not just what the vendor is hoping for)
Craft a strategic offer based on data, not emotion
Avoid overpaying for a property that isn’t worth the risk
Still Wondering What Expressions of Interest Really Means?
It means you need to lead. It means you’re being asked to make the first move, without knowing the rules of the game. And it means you’re shouldering all the risk of getting it wrong.
“If you’re facing a property listed by Expressions of Interest and want to know what to do next, get in touch with The Acquiry. As a Sydney-based buyers’ agent, we’ll help you cut through the noise and buy with clarity, not guesswork.”