Glossary
What is eoi (expression of interest)?
An EOI, or expression of interest, is a refundable payment a buyer makes before a launch to secure a place in the queue for a unit. It is not a purchase: it reserves the right to choose, usually in a defined order, when the release opens.
What an EOI does
Ahead of a launch a developer collects EOIs to gauge demand and to order the queue. The buyer pays a refundable amount and receives a position; when the release opens, buyers choose units in that order until inventory runs out.
For the developer it is a demand signal that arrives before pricing is finalized, which is why EOI volumes influence the release plan and sometimes the price.
What it does not do
An EOI does not reserve a specific unit, guarantee a price, or oblige the developer to sell. A buyer holding an EOI can reach the front of the queue and find that the unit type they wanted is gone — which is the single most common source of launch-day disappointment.
How it is handled operationally
The EOI list has to convert into an ordered, enforceable release on the day, or the queue means nothing. That is an operational problem: it requires the sales system to know each buyer's position and to hold units against it, rather than a spreadsheet being read out on a crowded sales floor.
Frequently asked questions
- Is an EOI refundable?
- Normally yes, in full, if the buyer does not proceed — but the terms are set by the developer and should be checked in writing before paying.
- Does a larger EOI get a better position?
- Some developers rank by EOI amount, others strictly by time of payment, others by both. There is no market standard, so ask which rule applies before paying.
Related
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