The Art of Negotiation – Home and Property Buying
Buying a new home can be a challenging, essential process, one that helps the buyer to find satisfaction, not only with the final outcome, new home, but with the price as well. To broker the best price, one must be willing to do some research, ask some great questions, access tax assessment data, compare comps in the area and generally employ strong communication and negotiation skills all along the way.

Once the buyer and real estate agent have settled on which house to buy, the art of negotiation kicks in. Several rules apply; try to keep the first offer positive, upbeat, informative, complete, and fair. Coming in below listing price is the norm; just be ready to make a counter offer if necessary. Also, be ready to discuss the first offer–and be sure to do so at the time. Perhaps you wish to ensure that the offer is in alignment with the town or city tax assessment; a simple public record search will give you the assessed value of the home through the town or city clerk’s office.
Once you have the assessment, discuss a strategy with your real estate officer, and settle on a number, good negotiation skills are the key. Here are some tips:
1. Accentuate the positive. Try to use positive language, be professional, and explain clearly how you arrived at that number.
2. Be flexible but don’t give yourself away in the process. Be sure to remain true to yourself and use solid language that states your case without growing weak. Avoid statements like “I just think.” Instead, “we are prepared to offer.”
3. Don’t be defensive, but do state clearly your position. Use language such as “our perception is” and “let me explain our offer clearly and fully.”
4. Don’t be overly open or friendly in negotiation. A matter-of-fact tone is likely the most professional approach and will glean results.
5. Give a counter offer in a reasonable amount of time. Be prepared and have a clear strategy ready in this regard.
6. Be courteous without being curt. Take the offers and negotiations seriously.
7. Try not to get gloomy; tomorrow may bring better results.
8. Always discuss new numbers or changes with your team before making adjustments to numbers, offers, or approaches.
9. Don’t worry. Be communicative instead.
10. Remember, it’s just a house–if this one does not work, another will.