CHAPTER 13 The Dos and Don'ts of Negotiating Selling your home is a business transaction. Although it may be a multi-layered process that feels personal to you, at its heart, it’s simply a buyer negotiating to purchase a seller’s property for an agreed-upon price. You, as a seller, must keep this fact in mind. Opinions, emotions, and ego may attempt to derail your efforts; don’t let them. The more you know about negotiating, the less likely you are to create a needless detour during the sale process.
DO LET THE BUYER SPEAK FIRST
Let patience be your guide when dealing with an interested buyer. Don’t be anxious to tell him or her what you’re willing to accept; it may be lower than the buyer was willing to offer! Like any sale transaction, buyers have a price in mind, even if it is a lawn mower at a yard sale. They might be willing to pay $500 for the mower, but when they ask, you say $325. Do not lose the advantage of being able to counteroffer. Let the buyer speak first. That’s why it’s called an offer. It will either be an offer you can accept, or you will at least have more knowledge about what price the buyer has in mind. Keep in mind that until the offer is in writing it is not a true and valid offer.
DON'T "MEET IN THE MIDDLE"
Even in the simplest of sales transactions, agreeing on a price often includes “meeting in the middle.” Maximize your negotiating by counter-offering in small increments. Avoid following human nature by “meeting in the middle.” 86
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