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Negotiation ~ the cats have it.

By
Real Estate Agent with Novella Real Estate

Buying a home is a stressful and emotional process.  Time and time again I hear people say, "I'm not going to settle for just anything."  Then two minutes later they are head over heels in love with a home, ready to do "whatever it takes" to get it.  

This is when I give my speech;  

Buying a home is done best with the head not the heart.  Yes, your heart must love it, but if you are to succeed in negotiation, you must detach that heart and put your head in gear.  We must keep our wits about us while purchasing because not only does this effect your immediate situation, it effects your financial situation over the years to come.  Getting out of your home is just as important as getting into it.  If we start out wrong, we will never recoup our original position.  

First we make a plan, for now and in the future.  We outline plan A, B and sometimes C all based on your needs.  Then and only then do we proceed with an offer to the seller.  This time of judgment or rejection is a difficult time for nervous emotional buyers.  It is imperative that you remain reasonable and calm.  

 Have you ever owned a cat?  Or rather should I say, has a cat ever owned you? Cats are always cool under fire.  They can give a detached look, flip a tail and walk nonchalantly away.  Take a lesson from a cat.  Act like one and you will win.  

 P.S. Some cat behavior is not acceptable.  For instance never emulate a cat waiting for a can of tuna to be opened.  This Behavior is not an acceptable negotiation strategy!

David Eiglarsh
RE/MAX Concierge - Weston, FL
CRS, CDPE, Serving South Florida

Hi Kristal, Love what you wrote and definitely true, but I like to keep them emotionally tied. Once they lose the emotion & get to factual, its easy to lose them. Mostly buying is an emotional decision & that's why I tell my sellers to get out of the house during a showing.

Sep 08, 2006 01:22 PM
InSite Virtual Tours
InSite Virtual Tours - Eugene, OR
I think this advice would be good with many types of purchases...
Sep 08, 2006 01:39 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

I grew up with cats...I understand what you were saying all the way, Kristal......

Flip........pitter patter pitter patter......hehehehehe :-D

Sep 08, 2006 01:43 PM
Lisa Simpson
Mortgage Options - Summerville, SC

I love cats.  This is the cutest one i have seen in a while. Thanks for the post.

Lisa

Sep 08, 2006 04:04 PM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Background on the cat picture. 

My sister in law and I were looking at a new home for her.  Diane is nuts about animals, especially cats.  She is also an awesome photographer.  We found this cute kitty in one of the homes we viewed.

This cat had been shaved to look like a lion.  He was cute and sweet and very silky.  Di and I went silly trying to get a good photo of him.  This one came from my TREO. 

Yes, he is a cute kitty.

Sep 08, 2006 04:20 PM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
Did she buy the house?  Or were you guys too busy with the cat to really look a the house?
Sep 08, 2006 08:25 PM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022
She bought, but not that one, lousy view.  The kitty was the best thing we saw that day!
Sep 09, 2006 01:57 AM
MaryAnn Morrar ~ La Jolla
Coldwell Banker - La Jolla, CA

Hi Kristal

Great speech - I find the more emotional detached the better the negotiations.  I tell my clients there will always be another home for sale.  But if you buy the wrong house now and in a few years when I have to come back to sell it  you are not going to be very happy with what I have to tell you. 

Sep 09, 2006 03:49 AM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI
Your post could not have come at a better time.  I've been trying to calm down a nervous buyer for a few days now.  I've encouraged her to "turn her tail and act aloof", like a cat.  I know she'll get the house she wants if she negotiates with her head.
Sep 09, 2006 03:50 AM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022
David is right, it's important to maintain emotion, but we must ACT like a cat.  Don't let them see you salivating!
Sep 09, 2006 03:52 AM
Eileen Landau
BAIRD & WARNER, NAPERVILLE - Naperville, IL
ABR, CRS, e-PRO

Ah, Krystal,

you let the cat out of the bag!

I've always said that you "fall in love" emotionally with a property. But, then you need to rationalize the purchase.

That's where the good old Ben Franklin close comes in handy.

In today's market with our huge inventory, buyers have lots of choices. Sellers none!

Sep 09, 2006 05:18 AM