• Focus on the main goal. Remember your main goal: to get the house. Sometimes, you’ll get stuck negotiating on minor details. It can be a good tactic to wait until you come to an agreement on the main points before proceeding to the details.
HOW TO AVOID MISTAKES DURING NEGOTIATIONS
Whether you’re buying a house for the first time or just got carried away in the negotiation intensity, mistakes happen. Keep these simple rules in mind: • Be nice. No one likes rude people. Try not to offend your seller during a house visit. For example, discussing necessary renovations and poor taste of the decorations may hurt feelings, if not the entire deal. • Be calm. Don’t express too much of an interest! Most of the specialists agree that when sellers see how much you want this house to become yours, they won’t accept your first offer. To avoid a counteroffer, you should always play it cool, no matter how perfect this property is for you. • Think like a seller. Change your perspective. Take a different look at this situation. Imagine you must sell this house in 2, 5, or 10 years. Will it be possible, or does it lack some basic features that the housing markets consider essential? • Don’t expect the price to lower after inspections. Bid lower than you can pay, and make your final offer with the most comfortable price you can afford. Repairs after the inspections will not, most likely, cost the seller millions.
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