Write down the asset and terms
The exact domain spelling, price, currency, parties and included assets should be clear before a payment instruction is issued. A website and a domain can require different handoffs. If the discussion includes a lease, installments or supporting assets, confirm that the selected transaction process supports the agreed structure. A listing that says escrow is available is not evidence that a transaction has already been opened or approved.
Understand what the intermediary does
Escrow.com describes a process in which funds are held while the parties complete the agreed transfer and inspection steps. Review the current transaction terms, eligibility, charges and supported methods directly with the provider. Escrow is a transaction mechanism, not a substitute for checking the seller’s authority or evaluating the asset. Impact Domains offers the option of a secure transaction through Escrow.com; the final process is agreed with the parties.
Confirm the registrar path early
Ask where the domain is registered and whether the plan is an account change at that registrar or a transfer to another registrar. ICANN’s transfer guidance describes circumstances that can restrict transfers, including certain 60-day lock periods. Check the actual status with the registrar before promising a completion date. Authorization codes and account access are sensitive: use the agreed secure process and do not send passwords as ordinary transaction details.
Define completion rather than assuming it
Agree on what the buyer will check and when the agreed inspection is complete. Plan for DNS and email continuity if services are already running. Independently verify payment instructions through a trusted channel, particularly if they change. Keep a record of the agreed handoff and use the provider’s actual workflow for release decisions. This checklist is general transaction preparation; the written agreement and provider terms govern the transaction.
Sources & further reading
Impact Domains publishes this journal and has a commercial interest in its portfolio. Reported sales are market context, not an appraisal or a guarantee of results. Sources checked September 16, 2026.