Chris Gmyr » negotiating

Negotiating a Sale with someone with a Disability

Chris Gmyr — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:36:21 +0000

When someone decides to put an offer in on your home, the negotiating process begins. This process involves the buyer, the seller, your agent, maybe a lender and many offers going back and forth. It is a confusing and complicated process to begin with, but it may be even more complicated if the buyer has a disability. Sometimes there will be certain things to consider and it’s important to know what to expect. Here are some tips to help make the process easier for everyone involved. So this way everyone gets the best deal possible.

Talk with your agent about any concerns
Your real estate agent sells houses to all types of people with varying needs. They will be able to offer advice and tips for negotiating with someone with special considerations such as someone with a disability.

Talk to the buyer as you would any other person
It is important that you talk to the buyer with a disability as you would any other person unless directed otherwise. After all, disability or not, they are planning to buy your house, so it’s important to make them feel comfortable and happy.

Offer to make modifications to your home if needed.
In order to get the asking price you want, it may be good to offer to make any special modifications to your home within reason.

Be careful not to assume they cannot pay your asking price because of the disability
This will cause discrimination problems and just get you and your agent into trouble, so be careful when phrasing questions regarding payment.

Make sure that any special conditions are discussed
If the person with a disability requires any special conditions during the negotiations make sure these needs are taken into considering, such as meeting at an accessible place, having lower tables, and more. This will help the process to be easier and the buyer will appreciate the extra time and effort and may accept your offer.

These tips about negotiating a sale with someone with a disability will help make everyone feel more comfortable about the process. This way the buyer can be at ease and you as a seller can be put at ease too and hopefully reach a reasonable agreement about a sale price for your home. Then everyone wins and is happy in the long run.

Tips when Negotiating your Selling Price

Chris Gmyr — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:25:49 +0000

You have decided to sell your home and move on to bigger and brighter things in the future. This is a very exciting time for you and your family. Maybe you have fixed up your home, even had the house inspection and had an open house and now you have a few offers. Well, you want to get the best value and price possible for your home so you have less to worry about in the future. Here are a few negotiating tips to help make the process easier for everyone involved.

Ask your real estate agent for advice and help
It is the job of your real estate agent to know buyers and sellers and know how to sell a home. They have experience with negotiating and will be able to help you get the best price possible from a buyer.

Make a counter-offer
You may be afraid to do this, but do not be. Most buyers expect that you will not accept the very first offer. You can offer the buyer certain incentives or conditions in order to get them to accept your offer. Ask your agent for help, if needed.

Offer to pay some closing costs
If the buyer’s offer is a little low, offering to pay some of the closing costs, may persuade the buyer to agree to the price and terms that you want. Do not give up.

Only accept offers from pre-qualified buyers
This means that the buyer has already been accepted for a loan and has the money to cover any offer made. This will save time later and there will be fewer surprises when it is time to close the deal.

Hire a home inspector yourself
Buyers may try lower the price because they have a home inspection cost, but if you hire one yourself, you beat them to it. Also, this can give you more leverage when getting them to accept terms you want.

Following these negotiating tips and asking for help from your agent, will help to ensure everything goes easier and smoother for both parties. This way you have less to worry about and can focus on a bright future in your new home.

Tips for Negotiating a Mortgage Deal

Chris Gmyr — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:55:18 +0000

Getting a mortgage loan these days can be a slow and frustrating experience. Here are some things that buyers should know as they go through the application process:

Ask for the “Good Faith Estimate” early. It won’t be released until it is officially “complete” and all the questions are answered. Push applicants to find answers right away to all the lender’s questions.
Suggest they read and ask questions about the fine print. Identifying and negotiating all the fees and charges can cut an applicant’s costs.
Shop title insurance. Point buyers toward Web sites like Closing.com, where they can comparison shop.
Get a commitment. Insist that the lender or loan broker agree that there won’t be any other charges on the HUD-1, which most borrowers don’t see until they are at the settlement table. “If [the lender] won’t agree to that, you have to be a little suspicious,” says Claire Fennessey, senior vice president of Entitle Direct.
Question flood insurance. If a property requires flood insurance, point buyers (and sellers) toward a civil engineering firm with experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s resources to ensure that they aren’t paying too much. Eligibility for a preferred risk policy can cut costs substantially.

Source: Chicago Tribune, Mary Ellen Podmolik (07/05/2009)