Sometimes it is very costly to "have it your way".....and the real tragedy is that you may never know the cost of your "right" attitude....Were you RIGHT because you wanted things your way without knowing all the facts ?
Real estate is often about give and take...you make not be getting or paying exactly the price you have "in mind" and the house may not be without a few imperfections....but standing on "the right price" be you a buyer or seller may cost you a comfortable and more beneficial transaction in other ways.
While buying and selling an home is a business transaction...it also, in most cases represents an emotional investment. Whether it is the home in which you raised your children, maybe it is your parents' home you are selling....or you are a first time buyer and want everything to be the best it can be for the money you can invest in the largest single purchase you have made at this time in your life. The sellers, want to like you...they want to know that you will take some of the same care of the home that they have...that you will love it and honor the commitment to maintaining it. As buyers, while you want to feel you paid a "fair" and not "over market" price....you also want to respect that while you may not choose to leave the kitchen canary yellow or the flower beds just as they are....the furnace has been inspected and cleaned, the roof is in good repair, the house is clean and ready for you to move in...a kinder and gentler approach to buying....or selling....does it matter...hmmm...it may get you:
- The closing date you want (either as buyer or seller)
- That lawn mower, snow blower or freezer in the basement
- The pool table or exercise equipment
- Funrishings at a reduced cost
- More permanent or expensive "fixes" to items found on the inspection report
Not negotiating fairly or honestly....roll the dice...you may never know what you missed...but you can almost be certain, it's more than you got. It's not just about YOU....There can be great rewards for also understanding...it is about THEM too !
I believe it is all about relationships. The more amicable a transaction, the better it is for everyone. And the added perks do go a long way too.
Sally,
Thanks for the post. Some very sage advice. Now if only I could get the buyers and sellers to see it that way in this market! That low ball offer doesn't help, but sometimes we can get there through good negotiations.