Win-Win Negotiations

For most people, the equity in their home represents their largest financial asset. Therefore, buying or selling a home should be treated as a business transaction.

The best transactions are those with a win-win outcome, in which both parties feel they have been treated fairly. One of the best reasons to hire a real estate agent is that we represent you as we negotiate on your behalf. Agents act as buffers between the parties in the transaction, effectively minimizing the emotional component of the process.

When an offer is presented, the seller can accept, decline, or counter it. By pricing a home fairly, sellers usually receive offers that are close to or may even exceed fair market value. If you receive an offer that seems unusually low, look closely to see if the buyer has offered other concessions such as a quick closing.

If the offer is unacceptably low, then present a counteroffer instead of declining it outright. That keeps the door open to additional negotiations and extends the possibility of arriving at a win-win outcome.