Key takeaways
- A typical Pakistani property sale moves through token (bayana), booking, down payment, allotment, installments, possession and transfer.
- Practices, documents and fees differ between societies, developers and authorities; always confirm the exact process with the society or developer.
- Every payment, including token money, should be acknowledged with a written receipt naming the unit, amount and terms.
- Double-selling happens when the unit’s status is not updated the moment a token is taken; a hold on the unit prevents it.
- Keep CNIC copies, the signed agreement, payment plan and every receipt in one customer file from the first day.
In Pakistan, a property purchase usually moves from token money (bayana) to a formal booking with a down payment, then an allotment letter, a schedule of installments, possession once development is complete, and finally transfer into the buyer’s name. The exact steps, documents and fees differ between societies and developers, so buyers and agents should always confirm the process with the society or developer concerned.
This guide explains each stage as general industry context, then shows how a real estate agency can digitise its own side of the process — holding units, recording agreed prices and payments, and keeping documents — so that no plot is sold twice and no payment is disputed.
The stages of a property sale at a glance
| Stage | What happens | Key document | What can go wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Token / bayana | Buyer pays a small amount to signal commitment and hold the deal | Token receipt stating unit, price and deadline | Unit sold to someone else; unclear refund terms |
| Booking | Buyer completes the booking form with CNIC and nominee details | Booking or application form | Wrong unit details; missing CNIC copies |
| Down payment | Agreed first payment under the payment plan | Payment receipt | Payment recorded against the wrong unit or buyer |
| Allotment | Developer or society allots a specific unit to the buyer | Allotment letter | Delays; plot number changes in balloting schemes |
| Installments | Monthly, quarterly or other installments per the plan | Schedule and installment receipts | Missed payments, disputes over amounts |
| Possession | Unit is handed over once development allows | Possession letter | Outstanding dues or possession charges unpaid |
| Transfer | Ownership is transferred in the society or authority records | Transfer documents per the society | Missing NOCs or dues; incomplete paperwork |
What is token money (bayana) and how does it work?
Token money, often called bayana, is a small payment a buyer makes to show they are serious and to hold the deal while the formal booking is prepared. On resale deals it is usually paid to the seller through the dealer; in new projects it may be paid to the developer’s sales office or an authorised agency.
The amount, the deadline for completing the deal, and what happens to the token if either side backs out are agreed between the parties and vary widely. Because disputes over token money are common, the terms should always be written on the receipt.
- Unit details: project, block, plot or apartment number and size in marla, kanal or square feet.
- Agreed total price.
- Token amount and how it was paid (cash, bank transfer, Easypaisa, JazzCash or cheque).
- Deadline for the booking or down payment.
- What happens to the token if the buyer or seller withdraws.
- Names and CNIC numbers of the buyer, seller and the receiving dealer.
Booking and down payment
The formal booking captures the buyer’s details — name, CNIC, address, contact numbers and nominee — and the unit being purchased. In installment schemes, the booking is accompanied by the down payment set out in the payment plan.
This is the moment to confirm the full price in writing, including any surcharges such as corner or park-facing charges, and any discount the buyer was promised. Most later disputes trace back to something said verbally at this stage and never written down.
Allotment letter
In many new schemes, an allotment letter formally allocates a specific unit to the buyer. In some projects, buyers first hold a “file” that is later linked to a specific plot, sometimes through balloting. Buyers should understand which situation applies to them, and agents should be precise about whether they are selling a file or a specific plot.
Installments and payment plans
Many plots and apartments in Pakistan are sold on payment plans: a booking or down payment, then regular installments, and often larger amounts on confirmation or possession. The buyer should receive a dated schedule showing every amount due, and a receipt for each payment.
Our guide to managing property installment plans explains how to design and track them, and reducing installment defaults covers how to keep buyers paying on time.
Possession and transfer
Possession is the handover of the physical unit once development is complete and dues are cleared. Transfer is the change of ownership in the society or authority’s records, which usually requires the buyer and seller (or their representatives) to complete the society’s process, clear any dues and pay any applicable charges.
Transfer procedures, required documents such as NOCs, biometric verification and charges are set by each society or authority and change over time. Always check the current requirements with the society office before telling a buyer what to expect.
Where agencies lose money and reputation in this process
- Double-selling: two agents promise the same plot because the inventory sheet was not updated after a token.
- Verbal prices: the buyer remembers a discount the office never recorded.
- Lost payments: cash taken at a site visit never reaches the books.
- Missing documents: CNIC copies or the signed agreement cannot be found when transfer time comes.
- Stale holds: a unit stays “reserved” for weeks for a buyer who disappeared, while real buyers are turned away.
How to digitise your agency’s side of the booking process
You cannot digitise the society’s office, but you can make your own side airtight. These are the steps that matter most, and how JRealtor handles each.
1. Hold the unit the moment a buyer commits
When a buyer pays a token or agrees to book, the unit must be marked unavailable for everyone at once. In JRealtor’s booking management, creating a booking places a temporary hold on the unit and marks it Reserved instantly, so no other agent can sell it. If the booking is not confirmed in time, the hold expires automatically and the unit returns to available stock — solving the stale-hold problem too.
2. Record the agreed price and down payment
Record the total agreed price, the down payment amount and whether it has been received. When you confirm the booking, record the receipt reference. Larger discounts can be routed to an Admin or the Owner for approval, with a record of who approved what.
3. Confirm or cancel cleanly
Confirming a booking in JRealtor marks the unit as Sold in the same step, so your property inventory is always current. If a deal falls through, cancelling the booking frees the unit again, even after confirmation. Every booking shows who created and last updated it.
4. Turn the sale into a schedule and invoices
Once confirmed, the payment plan — booking amount, confirmation amount, possession charges and installments — becomes a dated schedule with a numbered invoice for each installment. Payments are received against those invoices, and overdue installments can pick up late fees automatically on the Medium plan.
5. Keep the documents with the customer
Store CNIC copies, signed agreements and receipts against the customer and booking, so the file is complete when the buyer returns for possession or transfer. Customers are recorded with CNIC, nominee and address details, and if a CNIC already exists, a new lead links to the existing customer instead of creating a duplicate.
| Task | On paper or Excel | In JRealtor |
|---|---|---|
| Reserving a unit | Someone remembers to update the sheet | Unit marked Reserved as soon as the booking is created |
| Unconfirmed bookings | Unit stays blocked until someone notices | Hold expires automatically and unit returns to stock |
| Agreed price and discount | Written on a form or remembered | Recorded on the booking; larger discounts need approval |
| Confirmation | Separate updates to several sheets | Confirming marks the unit Sold in the same step |
| Installments | Manual schedule and handwritten receipts | Automatic schedule and numbered invoices |
| Documents | Paper folders and phone photos | CNIC, agreements and receipts stored with the customer |
Getting started
Booking management, inventory, installment schedules, invoices and document storage are all included in JRealtor’s Basic plan, which starts at Rs 2,500 per month for up to 5 users. See pricing or start a 7-day free trial. For definitions of terms like bayana, file, allotment and NOC, see our Pakistani real estate glossary.
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Frequently asked questions
What is bayana in property deals? +
Bayana is token money: a small payment a buyer makes to show commitment and hold a property deal while the formal booking or sale is prepared. The amount, deadline and refund terms are agreed between the parties and vary. Always put those terms in writing on the receipt.
What is the difference between booking and allotment? +
Booking is when the buyer formally commits, submits their details and usually pays a down payment. Allotment is when the developer or society allocates a specific unit to the buyer, typically through an allotment letter. In some schemes, buyers hold a file before a specific plot is allotted.
What documents are needed to book a plot in Pakistan? +
Buyers are usually asked for CNIC copies, photographs, nominee details and the completed booking form, plus proof of payment. Overseas Pakistanis may be asked for NICOP or passport copies. Requirements vary, so confirm the exact list with the society or developer.
How can an agency avoid selling the same plot twice? +
Mark the unit as reserved the moment a buyer commits, in a system every agent checks before quoting. In JRealtor, creating a booking instantly holds the unit, confirming marks it sold, and unconfirmed holds expire automatically so units do not stay blocked.
How long does possession and transfer take? +
It depends on the project’s development stage and the society’s or authority’s own procedures. Possession follows development and the clearing of dues, while transfer follows the society’s documentation and verification process. Check current timelines directly with the society office.