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You Get What You Ask For...

By
Education & Training with HD Realty BK662006

The #1 secret rule of negotiating...ASK!

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take"

You may have heard this quote before, it's been attributed to hockey great Wayne Gretzky, and also to his father saying it to Wayne.

But what does it mean?  I'm not a hockey follower, but I can figure out that it means that if you never even attempt the shot...you will definitely never make it.  Kind of like negotiating!  If you never even ask for what you want, there is no way they will ever say yes.  So I want you to practice a new habit...asking!

Ask for a discount on that blouse with a missing button, ask a seller to pay the closing costs, ask your kids to help clean the house, and ask your boss for a raise...if you never ask, they will never say yes.

So, the number one rule to getting what you want in a negotiation is...ASK!

Show All Comments
Kay Perry
Kay Perry, Broker - College Station, TX
If you don't ask, you won't get it.
May 03, 2008 12:25 PM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor
what? we can't expect people to read our mind?  do the right thing? risk rejection? lol...........good advice!
May 03, 2008 12:25 PM
Greg Hampton
Re/Max Around The Mountains - Blue Ridge, GA
North Georgia Mountain Property,Blue Rid
Most people don't know the questions to ask. I think as a Realtor the #1 question is "What do you want to offer for this property?"not if or how, but what. I never ask too many open ended questions in the negotiation process.
May 03, 2008 12:25 PM
Ron Tarvin
Residential, Investment properties, rehab projects, property management, luxury homes, new construction! - Katy, TX
Broker, Katy, Houston, Cypress 77450,77494,77095
Course if you ask too much, you become known as that crazy person that always asks for a discount! :)   Seriously though, ya have to ask to receive much of the time and have you ever noticed all the stuff you don't ask for that you get isn't always stuff you want anyway!? 
May 03, 2008 12:25 PM
Lisa Friedman
Alliance Realtors - Bedminster, NJ
Central New Jersey Real Estate
It never hurts to ask. I talk to so many agents who are too afraid of rejection to approach fsbos. But how can they ever get good at it, if they don't practice?
May 03, 2008 12:29 PM
Tara Colquitt
Tara Colquitt, The Credit Woman, LLC - Philadelphia, PA
Credit Counselor
Andy: And referrals also! I have started a marketing campaign that ASKS my clients if they are happy with their results and ecstatic with my service to tell their friends and family. And I expect referrals because my service is phenomenal.
May 03, 2008 12:31 PM
Yvette Smith
LONG & FOSTER - Williamsburg, VA
Realtor In Williamsburg VA, Homes for Sale

Absolutely right!!!  That's why I always ask...what's the worse they can say NO!  Ha, I've heard that before, but I never let it stop me!!

Thanks for reminding me that it's ok!

Yvette Smith

Williamsburg' Preferred Realtor!

May 03, 2008 12:43 PM
Jimmy McCall
JimmyMcCall.com - Cunningham, TN
The Ex-Mortgage Consultant
Andy,  There is diffently a starting point to every negotiation.  So ask.  Even if it is seems absurd you really don't know until you get a reaction.
May 03, 2008 12:59 PM
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