Negotiation is where buyer's agents earn their fee. After hundreds of negotiations, certain principles consistently deliver better outcomes for buyers.
First, knowledge is power. Understanding the vendor's motivation, the property's true market value through comparable sales analysis, and the agent's position gives you leverage. Second, patience wins — desperate buyers overpay. Third, always be prepared to walk away; the best negotiation tool is genuine willingness to move on.
We also find that building rapport with the selling agent matters. A professional, respectful approach often yields better results than aggressive tactics. Selling agents are more likely to recommend your offer to their vendor if they trust you'll complete the transaction smoothly.