could get was $1,500, but he was willing to pay up to $2,000. He asked the seller what he wanted for the items. The seller responded that he didn’t know what he wanted. My friend offered to pay $1,500, and the seller accepted it. Later, my friend learned that the seller had been desperate and had expected to be paid only $800 to $1,000. If the seller had mentioned an opening price first, my friend would’ve saved $500! Instead he lost $500. COMMON NEGOTIATING MISTAKE #5: Letting Your Ego Get Involved What’s your final goal? You want to sell your property quickly for top dollar, right? Keep that goal in mind during the entire negotiation. I have seen people kill a potential top-dollar sale simply because they didn’t like the buyer. Or the buyer started negotiations with a lowball offer, and the seller got offended. Most lowball offers can be negotiated to a higher price. Some buyers have a big ego and think they are great negotiators, when they aren’t. Their definition of a great negotiator? Someone who
103
Powered by FlippingBook