I offer the following advice to every buyer and seller that I work with.

“When negotiating a purchase price, whether buying or selling, put yourself in the other persons shoes.  If you were on the other side of the fence, would you accept the offer that you are suggesting?”

If you enter a negotiation with the thought process that you must “beat” the other person, then it will be a difficult process for everyone involved…including yourself.  Most sellers would not say that they are willing to sell their home for less than it is worth.  Yet buyers often EXPECT to get a below market price when buying, and are UPSET when the seller won’t accept their low offers.  Along the same line, I have seen over and over again a buyer who just got done beating up a seller to get a low price, then get upset because someone makes a lower than expected offer on their own home. 

Now, I’m not suggesting that a buyer or seller should “roll over” when negotiating an offer.  I am however saying that we need to be willing to look at things from the other persons point of view.  In fact, this will allow you to achieve a win-win situation and will make the home buying/selling experience much more pleasant.

One last consideration, there is more to an offer than just the purchase price.  Often times when common ground cannot be found on price, other terms can be adjusted to make both parties happy. 

Real estate is not war.  There are no enemies.  Happy negotiations.

Brian Hourigan

The Hourigan Real Estate Team