A viewing answers questions about a building’s appearance. It does not establish who can sell it, what rights are being transferred, or whether the proposed buyer can complete the transaction. Due diligence connects the physical property with its legal records and the sale documents before money and deadlines narrow the available choices.

Identify the same property in every document

Compare the registered address, unit or parcel identifiers, floor area, permitted use, and plans with the property being offered. Marketing names can differ from official descriptions. Ask how parking spaces, storage areas, fixtures, and shared facilities are treated. A feature shown during a viewing may not be included in the sale, so material promises should be examined against the written agreement.

Check title and the power to sell

Under the Civil Code, registration is central to changes in immovable-property rights, subject to legal exceptions. Ask counsel to obtain and interpret appropriate current registry information through lawful channels. A copy of a certificate is a starting document, not a complete investigation. Check the seller’s identity, any co-ownership, and the authority of the person signing or receiving instructions on the seller’s behalf.

Investigate restrictions and occupation

Raise mortgages, judicial restrictions, existing leases, occupation, and other third-party interests before agreeing how payment and transfer will occur. Explain whether vacant possession is essential. Ask which interests must be discharged, what evidence will demonstrate that step, and who is responsible. A statement that an issue will be “sorted out at completion” needs a workable sequence and documentary support.

Confirm the buyer’s position locally

Purchase eligibility, registration documents, financing, and requirements for overseas buyers can vary by location and circumstances. Official Beijing guidance, for example, treats eligibility verification and transfer registration as separate steps. Do not turn a city-specific rule into a nationwide assumption. Obtain current advice for the actual buyer and property before paying a reservation amount or assuming a loan will be available.

Map money, documents, and possession

Set out when each payment, mortgage discharge, tax step, registration application, and key handover is expected to occur. Ask what happens if a required condition is not satisfied and which sums are recoverable. Preserve all versions of the proposed contract and side agreements. A clear completion plan makes unresolved questions visible; it does not remove the need to verify the underlying records.

Your working file

What to prepare

  • Match the offered property to its official identifiers and plans.
  • Review current rights, restrictions, and signing authority.
  • Verify local eligibility and financing requirements for the buyer.
  • Document the order of payments, registration, and possession.

Reference points: PRC Civil Code, immovable-property registration provisions; Beijing Municipal Government, Buying Property in Beijing as a Foreigner. Local requirements must be checked separately. Reviewed September 30, 2026.