Despite the much "warmer climate" that many markets are having....the sun shining on higher prices, shorter days on market and more sales....there are agents who believe the know more than the market indicates.
You can always tell when the counter received has been cleverly crafted by an agent....and not just the wish of a buyer for a lower price. It is more involved...closing costs are charged to the Sellers....additional items on the wish list that most buyers would know was possible.
We received just such an offer....and spent time with our Sellers and they agreed....generously we think....to meet the Buyers half way. We believe that is the best way to respond when possible and tells the Buyers...AND their agent that they are being fair and negotiating in the best possible spirit. We sent over the counter and left voice mail....the agent claimed a day later not to having gotten either one....lather, rinse, repeat. The counter is swiftly returned....
We call the agent.....and tell her that we believe our Sellers have shown more than good faith in negotiation and why was this not accepted.....She was flustered....in the name of working FOR the Buyer...she tho
ught she could chisel more "benefit" with coming back to the original numbers.
I told her that was not happening....that the lack of "spirit" on the part of the buyers can cost them more than the money at stake. Now...and we have seen it happen many times...the yard equipment they might have left....the little extras that make things easier for the Buyers are likely not to happen. The Sellers are not feeling as kindly toward the Buyers as they might have, had the counter been accepted.
Working for the Buyer doesn't mean having the last word...it DOES mean getting an offer accepted that is fair....and not negotiating in good faith often means a loss of the "feel good" parts of a transaction. We will explain to our Sellers...it was not the Buyers...but the Agent who cleverly crafted the counter to the counter...the Buyers are not to be blamed for things they would never have thought of doing.
The bad taste is already there....and hard to erase. We serve as Buyers' Agents....and work to fair representation and as amicable a transaction as possible. The rewards for the Buyers can be many...the discount on the snowblower...leaving the lawnmower, the extra bulbs for the chandelier...the little things and some not so little that make this people business a pleasure.
If you are in southeastern Wisconsin looking for agents who work hard to have smooth transactions...Call the Hansons ....we are happy to offer a great spirit of negotiation...as well as the prompt professional service you deserve for all things real estate.
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