In
my mind, a successful negotiation is not where one side has pulverized the
other. You don't "win" a negotiation; you get the best possible
outcome for your clients while doing the least harm.
No one should leave a
negotiation angry. After all, you never know when you might have to negotiate
with the same people again. When it
comes to negotiating on behalf of my clients, I keep the following in mind:
Set the stage: I like
a location that's quiet, neutral, pleasant, and away from distractions and
confusion. It’s best if everyone turns
off their devices, and refrains from calls or texts during negotiations.
Be prepared: I never
enter without my homework. I verify any outstanding facts before the
negotiation begins. (Later fact-finding can cause a negotiation to bog down!)
Present a united front:
I represent clients and have been hired to act on their wishes. At times I may
not agree with their position, but I never share that with the other side. If I
feel a client’s position is less than optimal, I only discuss it with them in
private
Leave attitudes at the door: It’s very simple... treat everyone in the negotiation with respect,
regardless of personal opinions. If anyone disagrees, disagree with the idea, not
the person.
Watch non-verbal cues and body language: (Sorry, but I can’t reveal all of my secrets
here... suffice it to say I take it all in!)
Hold something in reserve:
I discuss concessions with my clients before hand and only offer these
concessions when we absolutely need to concede something.
I don't harp about points that don't matter to my clients: Negotiations should never choke over a minor
point. I like to get agreement on major
points such as price and terms and put lesser items aside to return to later.
Never volunteer too much information: Knowledge is power in a negotiation. Telling the
other side any information, however insignificant seeming, could weaken my
clients’ position. On the other hand, I learn as much about the other side as I
can.
If
you ever need someone on your side in a real estate negotiation, feel free to email me directly: valerie@valeriemcconville.com
Comments
Post a Comment