CHAPTER 14 Bargaining Chips
Selling is the name of the game. In the previous negotiation chapters, we learned that counteroffers by potential buyers sometimes include certain personal property, like appliances and window treatments, because these items are must-haves that are expensive to purchase new. As a seller, you can use extras as bargaining chips as well. You may make counteroffers that include appliances and other incentives for the buyer to agree to a higher price. This is a particularly useful strategy when the demand for homes in your neighborhood is weak and prices are low. When you’re selling your home, consider what you’re willing to throw in to sweeten the deal, and what items are “off limits.”
Here are some items you may want to consider using as leverage:
• Major appliances: washer, dryer, fridge, stove, dishwasher • Interior decor: Draperies, curtains, blinds, and shutters • Custom-built furniture: bookcases or shelves that fit a particular spot in the house • Outdoor enjoyment: Barbeque grill or fire pit • Outdoor items: Patio furniture, planters, garden benches, and yard ornaments • Garden shed • Yard work equipment: Lawnmower, power washer, leaf vacuum, or other maintenance equipment • Recreational equipment: such as ping-pong and pool tables, above-ground pools, trampolines, climbers, swing 87
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