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Negotiation Tips For a Buyer's Market

By
Education & Training with Corcoran Consulting & Coaching

 "It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory."  W. Edwards Deming

You should be used to it by now - the buyer's market has settled into its big, cushy, leather, easy chair and is resting comfortably. It is like the guest who just won't leave, so you have to learn to live with him for a while longer. One of the best ways to do this is to sharpen your negotiation skills.

During the last five years of the hot seller's market, negotiation skills weren't quite as important as they are now. All you had to do was put the house on the market with a reasonable price and let the bidding begin.

Now things have changed. Today, we're seeing a more traditional market where buyers have their share of homes to choose from. So the negotiation game among sellers and buyers (and their respective agents) has reached a new level of importance.

Realtor® Linda Kraft of Raleigh, NC, in an interview with Howard Brinton at a recent Starpower Conference, said that buyers almost think they can get homes for free in the current market.  They have educated by the market to believe that they should always start low because the sellers will take almost anything to get out from under.

As agents, we know that isn't quite true; there is plenty of room on both sides to negotiate.  Agents with sharp skills can hammer out a fair price for both parties.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled "Negotiation Tips For a Buyer's Market" for you to review.

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Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will work on my negotiation skills and focus on solutions!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

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Lois Davies
Century 21 Birchwood Realty, Inc. - Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral & SW Florida

Thanks Bob

I printed out your Negotiating Tips and think you hit every one on the head, especially the one on your relationship with the listing agent; they can make or break a deal.  I have been on both sides of a deal and can testify about my stomach tensing and blood pressure rising when confronted with an aggressive "no it all" buyers agent.  I have also had some wonderful working relationships with sellers agent.  Once again, thanks for the tips

Lois

Jun 14, 2009 09:29 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I have had some strange responses to great offers from seller's agents who think it is still a sellers market!  They tell me that there are lots of offers coming in... that the sellers are expecting close to full price... and that there is no need for documents requested..... Hmm?? What planet are they on.

Jun 14, 2009 09:43 AM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Thanks to both you for your comments. Both of you hit on same point: Knowledge can empower you or make you stupid. There are both buyers and sellers out there think they are real estate savvy because they read a few articles or heard a few anecdotal stories. Too bad they didn't followthe old advice "Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em." That would make for smoother negotiation.

Jun 14, 2009 11:18 AM