The value is the app record, not the account itself
People who search for an Apple developer account that includes an app usually want the existing App Store Connect record: its Bundle ID, version history, ratings and accumulated download data. So the question is not whether the account can log in. It is whether you can keep using that app record normally. An account in good standing that holds a removed or frozen app can be a liability rather than an asset.
App status in App Store Connect sets your takeover cost
Status determines what you can do after the handover. An app that is Ready for Sale can receive updates right away. An app removed by the developer can often be restored, but you should confirm it was a voluntary removal. If the platform removed it, ask for the review correspondence and read the stated reason, whether that is content, duplicate submission or account-level. Apps in a rejected or waiting state need the rejection reason resolved. If the seller cannot explain where the current status came from, do not proceed.
Bundle ID and app name decide whether you can reuse the product
A Bundle ID tied to a live app cannot be changed. If your build must use a different identifier, you will have to create a new app record, and then the existing app adds little beyond account age, so reassess the price. If you do reuse the record, your new version replaces its content, privacy details and screenshots, and will go through review again. App names are unique in the store, so a name already held by the account is one of the few things you cannot reproduce elsewhere. That only matters if you actually want the name.
Team roles: who holds Account Holder and who stays in the team
The top authority is the Account Holder. Below it are roles such as Admin, App Manager, Developer and Marketing. Ask how the seller will hand over Account Holder status, and what that does to agreements, banking and tax records. Then read the member list. Leftover Admins or App Managers can edit app information, submit builds and change pricing. After handover, nobody except the people you designate should hold management roles, and you should be able to verify that list yourself.
Certificates, push keys and profiles should be regenerated by you
Accounts with apps usually hold distribution certificates, APNs keys and provisioning profiles. If the private keys sit on the seller's machine, those certificates are of no use to you and may cause trouble if revoked later. Agree that you will generate new certificates and push keys after takeover, and that old ones are cleaned up only once you have built and uploaded successfully. If the app depends on Sign in with Apple or a third-party push service, check which identifiers rely on the old configuration.
Agreements, tax and banking depend on whether the app earns money
For apps with in-app purchases, subscriptions or a paid model, agreements, tax and bank details are tied to the original entity and must be re-completed under your own. Do not accept a plan to fill them in later, because incomplete records can block releases or payouts. For free apps the risk is lower, but check for pending agreement updates, which can restrict actions in App Store Connect. Requirements change, so rely on Apple's pages at the time.
When to stop
Pause or switch to another listing if any of these apply: the seller cannot show the app's current status and review history; the Account Holder handover is vague; the team contains unfamiliar administrators who will not be removed; the app has unresolved policy issues; or the Bundle ID or name you need is not in the account. A low price is not a reason to continue past any of these.