The Government is likely to take possession of the first earthquake residential red zone property next week.
More than 6000 properties in Christchurch and Waimakariri have to be abandoned because of quake damage, and the Government began sending offers to owners last month.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority's chief executive, Roger Sutton, says 15 homeowners have accepted the offer and given a settlement date.
He says the first date nominated is 9 September and the authority is confident that deadline can be met.
Mr Sutton says the priority has been to work with households with medical or similar issues, and 40 or 50 of those have been fast-tracked.
He says 1500 of the homeowners have still not returned their consent form, so the Government has not been able to issue them with a purchase offer.
