Key Clauses to Check in a Resale Sale Contract (عقد البيع الابتدائي)

Most Egyptian resale deals rest on a preliminary sale contract (عقد بيع ابتدائي) between seller and buyer, alongside the developer transfer. It is usually a short document — which tempts people to skim it. Resist that. Every future argument will be settled by what these few pages say. This is general information, not legal advice; have a lawyer draft or review your contract.

Parties, unit, and price

Confirm the seller's full identity matches the developer contract exactly, and that all owners — spouses, co-heirs, partners — are parties or properly represented. The unit must be described precisely: project, building, number, area, and attachments like gardens or parking. The price section should state the total, what was paid on signature, the schedule of the rest, and how the takeover amount relates to the developer statement. Every payment should be tied to a documented method and a receipt obligation.

Obligations and exits

The contract should oblige the seller to complete the developer transfer within a stated period, hand over all original documents, and settle any arrears before transfer. Look for what happens if either side withdraws: penalty clauses, deposit forfeiture, and refund mechanics. Vague exit terms are how deposits disappear. A clause confirming the unit is free of disputes, seizures, and prior sales — with liability if that proves false — is standard protection worth insisting on.

Clause checklist before signing

• Exact identities of all parties and their capacity to sell.
• Precise unit description matching the developer contract.
• Full price mechanics: paid, remaining, dates, documented methods.
• Transfer deadline and document handover obligations.
• Withdrawal, penalty, and refund terms for both sides.

Practical takeaway: a good preliminary contract is boring — every scenario already answered on paper. If reading yours raises questions the text cannot answer, fix the text before you sign, not after.