Liz May - THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BUYING A HOME

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In most cases, it’s likely they’ll want to sell quickly. You can stand your ground if they have a counteroffer. If the house has been listed several times with a stable price, that’s a sign the homeowners are taking their time and might be waiting for the highest offer. It’s vital to understand that both the buyer and the seller may forget the final goal: to buy and sell. Sometimes, the parties get carried away in a negotiation battle. Keep your eyes on the prize, but be realistic in your expectations of the situation.

The following tactics will help you to stay focused:

• Use your “middleman.” Your real estate agent should be the party to negotiate with the seller’s representative. Using him or her as a buffer will save you time and aggravation. He or she may also provide useful information concerning the sellers and their intentions, which the other party will not disclose to you. • Wait for the “Big Boss.” A third-party person needs to see and evaluate the offer and give his or her expertise. This is a chance to lower the seller’s counteroffer and keep your position. In addition, you’ll make the seller wait. This could make the seller believe you’re considering other options. • Be curious. Asking questions may reveal valuable information from the seller. It might help to find the reasoning behind the house sale. This could be your priceless leverage if you don’t know it yet. • Consider compromise. Be ready to give away something

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