When you are buying real estate or selling real estate in Baton Rouge or anywhere for that matter, the negotiations are one of the most critical components.  Ask yourself a few questions before entering into any negotiation.

1. When do I want or need to close the sale?
2. What is the most I will pay for this home? or What is the least I will sell this home?
3. What incentives can I give to the other party so that they will want to work with me?
4. What else is a make-it or break-it factor for me?

Number 1 is important because it can control your move in and move out dates.  If you have a lease you may want to close near the end of your lease, but not AFTER the expiration of the lease. If you have a home to sell and a home to buy you may need to coordinate these dates so that they "sync".

2. Price.  They say that's all that matters, but it's not ALL that matters. Price is important but I doubt a few thousand dollars within your target number would keep you from moving forward... or at least it shouldn't. Know what you want your bottom line to be, but be flexible enough that if you get close to it, you can still make progress.  Here's another tip that may help. Don't make a counteroffer over a couple of thousand dollars either. Yes I know that $2,000 is a lot of money.  But is it enough money to keep you from realizing your goals and making the move you're wanting or needing to make? It shouldn't.  That's not enough money to keep you stagnant so don't let it stall you in a negotiation. Your real estate agent should be compentent enough to provide you with cost estimates so that you know how much money you need to bring to the closing or how much money you'll walk away with from the closing.  These numbers are "estimates" but they should be close enough for you to make an informed decision. Ask your realtor for a "seller's net sheet" or a closing cost workup if you are a buyer.

Incentives! Don't forget the gravy.  Gravy is what makes the deal more palatable to the other side.  If you are a seller leaving the washer, dryer, and refrigerator might be the gravy to the buyer. If you are a buyer, coordinating a closing date that works for the seller may be the gravy for them.  Buyer's: It's also helpful to know that if you are preapproved or have proof that you have cash to buyer and don't have to sell a home then you are more attractive to the seller than other buyers.  Figure out what little "extra" you can give the other side to help them out and you're negotiation will start and end much smoother!

Number 4: Make-it or Break-it.  You need to know what is a deal-breaker for you before you enter into the negotiations.  This will save you time, effort, and stress! For instance, if you are a buyer and you only have $5,000 to work with and you know that will cover your downpayment but not your closing costs, then you know that it's a deal breaker for you if the seller doesn't cover your closing costs.  If you are a seller and are moving for a job relocation, your deal-breaker may be if the buyer can't fit with your closing dates.  Know what your absolute deal-breakers are upfront.  When you start to think through this process, you'll realize that some items that you thought were deal-breakers may be more flexible.

That's only a few items that go into a good negotiation.  It's not like buying a car. If you don't like the deal at the car dealership you can leave and go to another dealership and find the exact same car. No. With houses it's different. You're buying a home. Or you're selling a house. In either case, you can't just turn tail and walk away.  There isn't always another exact replica of that house that you want to buy in that neighborhood (although, I guess in some neighborhoods there are) and if you are selling there isn't always another buyer standing in line to buy your home.  So work with what you have to get you what you want.  In the end, you'll be happy that you made a deal that works for everyone AND you got to move on with your life!