# Buying a premium domain
Premium names are not commodities. Every transaction is a small M&A deal, and the buyers who close the best names are the ones who understand the mechanics.
## 1. Discovery and price signal
Before you make contact, know what the name should cost. Check comparable sales, look at the seller's other listings for pricing patterns, and search the WHOIS history. A name held 15 years by a single owner prices differently than one flipped three times in 18 months.
## 2. First contact
- Keep the first email short. Introduce yourself, name a specific use, and ask for a price.
- Do not disclose your budget. The seller's number should come first.
- Do not reveal your company. If they Google a funded startup, your offer gets a 3–5x markup.
## 3. Negotiation
Expect three rounds. A common cadence: seller anchors high, you counter with a defensible comp-based number, seller meets in the middle. Once you agree, ask for the terms in writing — price, currency, escrow provider, transfer window, who pays fees.
## 4. Escrow and payment
- Use a licensed escrow service (Escrow.com is the industry default; marketplaces like this one bundle it).
- Buyer funds escrow → seller pushes the domain → buyer confirms → escrow releases funds. Never wire money direct to a seller you have not transacted with before.
- Expect a 1–3% escrow fee. Negotiate who pays it up front.
## 5. Transfer mechanics
Two paths:
- **Push (same registrar).** Fastest. Seller transfers the domain into your existing account at the same registrar. Minutes, not days.
- **Auth code transfer (different registrar).** Seller unlocks the domain and provides an EPP/auth code. You initiate the inbound transfer at your registrar. Typically 5–7 days.
Turn on registrar lock and two-factor auth the moment the transfer completes.
## 6. Post-purchase setup
1. Update WHOIS to your details (or a privacy proxy).
2. Point nameservers at your DNS provider.
3. Set up email forwarding or MX records.
4. Add the domain to your brand monitoring so you catch typo-squats early.
5. File a trademark application if the name will carry your brand.
> **The buyer's mindset.** Premium domains reward patience and preparation. The best deals close quietly, on terms both sides can defend a year later.
