considered the most important, as well as the most challenging, component of buying a home, but that doesn’t mean you need to be afraid or overwhelmed. In fact, armed with research and information, as well as the negotiation do’s and don’ts outlined above, you can gain the advantage. So how can you make sure you have the upper hand — the power — in the negotiation process? If you come away with anything that you read in this chapter on negotiating the price of a home you wish to purchase, it’s that you need to hire a good real estate agent. This point cannot be emphasized enough. However, not just any agent will do; you need someone who is qualified, experienced, an expert negotiator, and is on your side — someone willing to fight on your behalf and isn’t just in it for themselves. If you don’t bring your own real estate agent to the table when it comes time for negotiations, you will come off as vulnerable (even if you have some skills in the negotiating department), and you could easily be taken advantage of by the listing agent, who doesn’t care about finding the best deal for you (a lower price), but rather only has the seller’s best interests, as well as his/her own commission, in mind (a higher price). In the end, even though negotiating the price of the home can be nerve-wracking, as there are many uncertainties up in the air — What will be the result? Will your offer be accepted as is? Will there be counteroffers? Multiple offers? How much will you end up spending? etc. — keep this in mind: The homeowner/seller is interested in selling his or her home, and you, the buyer, are interested in purchasing it. You can get there! • • •
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