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“Never make an offer you think they will accept,” says Thomas Early, president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents.
His second rule: more rejection. “Make the seller say no at least twice. It’s too easy to say no the first time.”
Accept rejection. Unless it’s truly the house of your dreams, don’t be disappointed if a seller turns down your initial offers. Rejection is a normal part of the negotiating process. Some would even call it essential, Early says.
Other tips for getting the best deal include:
* Plan to buy in the off season. In many communities that is during the end of the year holidays and right before business picks back up. In warm weather resort communities, the dog days of summer can be a good time to buy.
* Accept imperfections. Lots of buyers demand spacious, well-maintained homes in upscale neighborhoods. There are few bargains that meet that description.
* Look for motivated sellers. The more desperate homeowners are to sell, the more likely they are to accept discounted offers.
* Don’t fixate on list price. The true value of a home might not be reflected in its listed price. A property’s listed price simply reflects what a seller hopes to get. If you think the house is worth less, make an offer.
Source: Bankrate.com, Holden Lewis (02/10/06)
