be willing to make certain concessions, such as items found on your list of wants. DON’T BUDGE ON THE BIG THINGS. That being said, your willingness to compromise and make certain concessions shouldn’t involve anything major. Stick to your budget, first and foremost. Never put yourself in a position where you’re stuck with a home that you love, but can’t afford. If you make an offer that’s not accepted, and you receive a counteroffer that’s out of your price range, talk it over with your agent, and be prepared to walk away if it’s simply not affordable. This also applies to your list of needs —do not budge on these big-ticket items. Make sure you and your agent are on the same page. DO FOCUS ON THE MAIN THINGS. Remember the main goal of the negotiations, which is to buy the target home for an amount that you can afford and are willing to pay, and if you get the home for less than you were willing to pay, you have exceeded your goal. It’s important to understand that during negotiations, both the buyer and the seller might forget the final goal: to buy and sell! It’s easy for either party or both parties, to get carried away in their negotiation “battle.” Keep your eyes on the prize, but, at the same time, be realistic in your expectations. DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN MINOR DETAILS. Both buyers and sellers can fall victim to getting caught up in negotiating on small, minor details, and even in the negotiation process itself. Remember to keep your eye on the ball. Remember your main goal (get the house!). Instead of getting caught up in details, come to an agreement with the seller on the main/major points before moving on to smaller items. DO CONSIDER THE MARKET FOR STRATEGY. Your agent will know this, but your negotiating strategy and tactics will vary, depending on the current housing market. For example, in a buyer’s market (where there are more houses for sale than
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