When I'm working as a buyer's agent, and I take a buyer out to look at homes, I always tell them never to talk about the house too much while we are in the house. Just look around, leave, and then we will talk about it in the car.

The reason I do this is sometimes the sellers are home, and in one case a few years ago, the seller was video taping the house. In my experience, a buyer that says too much is costing themselves thousands of dollars.

No matter what you say, good or bad, it can affect how the seller will react to an offer from you. If you compliment the house too much and act like there is no other house in the world that is this perfect for you, the seller will never consider a lower offer or possibly do any repairs for you if they any come on the inspection. WHY? Because they know you won't walk away, it is the house for you! I try to personally present my offers for buyers to sellers. I tell the seller that they like they home, but I never say that the home is the only one. I mention we saw others, some better priced, but this had a couple features they liked better. This gets the sellers to realize they may walk if they don't get their price.

But, what if you insult a seller? What if they only went next door and as you are walking out of the house, they hear you say... "That house was perfect for us, but how ugly was that couch and the color in that living room, that has to go!" Well, you have just insulted the seller, just as much as had you put in an offer for $100,000 less than asking price. When people are put on the defensive, I've found that they are less willing to negotiate.

I hope this helps you in understanding why it is so important when looking at houses to be smart about what you say, or don't say, when looking for your perfect home. If you are interested in finding a home in Washington County, Oregon, please give me a call, I would love to help you find that perfect home at the perfect price for you!

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Photo courtesy of scol22