| For the moment we can mostly forget the days | | | | this type of deal: setting a mouse to catch a tiger. |
| when five buyers were all clamoring for our house | | | | You throw away a little thing to entice the big thing. |
| and we chose the ones with the cutest kid. | | | | You may have to offer more, but if it will clinch the |
| Nowadays, if a buyer presents itself (and its offer!) | | | | deal it may be worth it. For instance, if they want |
| we are quaking in our boots wondering if we even | | | | you to get the roof done before they move in, talk |
| dare to counter-offer to get the deal without rocking | | | | to your realtor about whether this will really |
| the boat! | | | | guarantee a definite sale. |
| Of course, the realtor will do all this nerve-wracking | | | | As far as the prospective buyer's financing goes, |
| stuff for us, and he will have more 'inside information' | | | | your real estate agent will have the entire scoop on |
| to go one, but we are still involved as the buck stops | | | | that one, it is part of his job to try and assess the |
| with us! Several key points are relevant in all | | | | genuine purchasing power of any prospective buyer. |
| negotiations. Very briefly these are: state of the | | | | There is one other way that is gaining more |
| market; extras involved (if any); buyer's financing; | | | | popularity in this market, that of actually making a |
| negotiating skills; who has the advantage? | | | | 'seller's contribution'. This means you will offer to pay |
| Well, in the first case, we all know the state of the | | | | for some of the expenses involved in buying the |
| market. It is the type of market where it is better | | | | house. |
| to be buying than selling! Therefore this could be one | | | | Help the buyer to proceed: it could be anything, but |
| black mark to you (okay - gray mark). | | | | you are probably best advised in helping with the |
| As for the extras involved, this will be entirely up to | | | | closing costs, as at least you will be nearer to the |
| you. But if there are extras involved, it will swing the | | | | finalities by then. This is a better way of helping than |
| balance back to a more fair level. Buying a house is | | | | dropping the asking price, which would mean delays |
| not all about money, as most of us realize. | | | | while the legal agreement that you had both signed |
| Our emotions are involved; the 'feel' of the house, | | | | was changed. |
| the neighborhood and some practical aspects are all | | | | With regard to expertise, these days you can find |
| tantamount to our choice. However, after that, the | | | | buyer's agent's as well as seller's agents although |
| bottom line is hard cash! | | | | most home-owners seem to stick to the traditional |
| This is where you can pull the balance a little over to | | | | method of sale. However, when you choose your |
| your side by offering some unlisted extras. For | | | | real estate agent, try to be objective about |
| instance if it is 15 years since you bought your | | | | assessing his negotiating skills. Is he sincere and |
| refrigerator and they would probably buy the house | | | | charismatic, or does something of his manner irritate |
| if you bought a new one - buy a new one! The cost | | | | you slightly? Choose carefully, he will be representing |
| is a very small percentage - very small - of the | | | | your bank balance! |
| purchase price. There is an old proverb that covers | | | | |