Crossword Genius

First step towards buying a lot? (7,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opening bid

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'a lot?' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'first step towards buying' is the wordplay.
'first step' becomes 'opening' (synonyms).
'towards' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'buying' becomes 'bid' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'opening'+'bid'='OPENING BID'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for opening bid that I've seen is " Such as 1D".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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