We love helping buyers find the right home in Denver and the surrounding communities. But just as important, we help our clients buy that home at a price and on terms that best fit their needs. Strong real estate negotiations are not always just about price. Sometimes the best contract involves timing, contingencies, credits, inspection strategy, or other terms that help create the right overall deal.
Real estate market data – Buyers should not have to make offer decisions in a vacuum. The Kearns Team gathers market data to help our clients make informed pricing decisions. This includes not only sold property prices by neighborhood, but also current listing data to help assess how competitive the market is for the property you are considering.
This process is often called a Comparative Market Analysis or Competitive Market Analysis. We look at similar properties that have recently sold in the nearby area to understand what has happened in the recent past. Because sold data is still past data, we also review currently active listings that most closely match the property under consideration. That gives us a more current snapshot of the market so we can adjust your offer strategy accordingly.
Thorough knowledge of your situation – Good negotiation advice starts with understanding you. Through strong communication, we learn your priorities, motivations, timing, and financial comfort level. That allows us to help you craft a negotiation strategy with the highest possible chance of success.
Seller motivation research – While it is not always possible to know exactly why someone is selling, there are often clues in the listing, pricing history, days on market, and property condition that can help us understand where leverage may exist.
It’s not always about money – There are many ways to negotiate a real estate deal. If the seller has limited flexibility on price, there may still be other terms that help create a favorable contract for the buyer. Closing date, inspection terms, inclusions, credits, or occupancy timing can all matter.
It’s not over until it’s over – Many real estate negotiations involve multiple counteroffers and back-and-forth discussion. We stay with you through each round of negotiation and help adjust strategy as new information emerges. It is also important to remember that the purchase negotiation often continues beyond the contract price. Some buyers negotiate aggressively on price, only to discover that the seller then has little room left for flexibility when inspection issues arise. Price negotiations and inspection negotiations are often connected.
The important thing to remember is that The Kearns Team is right there with our buyers throughout the negotiation process, providing current market information, strategy, and experienced advice.
Want help preparing to buy? Visit our Denver Home Buyers Guide for more buyer resources.