You're negotiating with a stubborn real estate seller. How can you secure a fair price?
When dealing with a difficult real estate seller, securing a fair price can be challenging but achievable. Approach the situation with empathy and a solid strategy to ensure a successful negotiation:
Have any tips for negotiating with stubborn sellers? Share your thoughts.
You're negotiating with a stubborn real estate seller. How can you secure a fair price?
When dealing with a difficult real estate seller, securing a fair price can be challenging but achievable. Approach the situation with empathy and a solid strategy to ensure a successful negotiation:
Have any tips for negotiating with stubborn sellers? Share your thoughts.
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To get a fair price, research similar properties and use that data to support your offer. Show the seller you're serious by highlighting your ability to close quickly and your financial readiness. Stay calm, patient, and professional—listen to their concerns but remind them of the property's true market value. The goal is to find a deal that works for both sides.
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Mimi T. Tran
Business Strategist
(edited)When negotiating with a stubborn real estate seller, my focus is on ensuring both parties leave the table feeling respected. I believe in treating others the way I want to be treated. I would rely on data, such as comparable sales, to back up my offer and keep the discussion grounded in facts. Understanding the seller's perspective is also important. Whether it’s sentimental value or financial needs, recognizing their reasons can make the conversation less confrontational. If tensions rise, stepping back to reassess can help de-escalate the situation. Forcing a deal often leads to frustration, while staying calm and professional creates better outcomes. A fair price should leave both parties feeling they’ve made a good decision.
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Negotiating with a firm seller on their price can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate expertise & problem-solving skills. I focus on understanding their underlying motivation (timing, financial, or emotional ties) to tailor a solution that addresses their specific concerns. I ensure the seller sees the value in a fair offer by presenting detailed market data, highlighting comparable sales, & evaluating the property’s condition. Communication and rapport are key. When sellers feel understood & respected, they’re more willing to collaborate. I alleviate pain points by offering creative solutions like flexible closing dates, fewer contingencies, or addressing minor repairs.
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In my experience, real estate is primarily focused on maximizing profit from both a legal and business perspective. Naturally, every individual seeks to optimize their returns, which often leads to a rigid stance on maintaining investment value. In such cases, I suggest taking a practical approach: if you are confident in your position, conduct a proper valuation to determine the fair market value of the property and proceed with closing the deal. This approach can be a game-changer. I recommend asking the seller to initiate the valuation to ensure an arms-length transaction.
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So, I’ll build trust first, then share market facts and recent sales. If they’re still stuck, I’ll politely remind them that overpriced properties waste time and money. I’ll stay calm and persistent, this deal will close.🥂
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Get to know the Seller including their portfolio of properties. Study previous deals the Seller has completed. Tailor your pitch to his requirements. Then talk it through!
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Start with empathy. Understand why the seller is holding firm—sentiment, unrealistic comparisons, or financial pressure. Next, use data to counter emotion: comps, market trends, or time-on-market stats. Highlight opportunity costs—waiting equals carrying costs, missed buyers, and market risks. Sweeten the deal creatively: flexible terms, adjusted timelines, or covering minor costs. Subtly introduce competition—scarcity creates urgency. If they’re still rigid, walk away politely and leave the door open. Trust builds progress. Position yourself as a partner, not an adversary. People bend when they feel guided, not pushed. Play patient, play smart.
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Since I'm an investor who buys houses for cash, my approach is simple: I only provide a fair cash offer after thoroughly assessing the property's condition and market value. The offer is based on facts, not emotions, and is designed to work for both parties. At the end of the day, it’s up to the seller to decide whether to accept it or not. My goal isn’t to pressure but to present a hassle-free solution that makes sense for everyone involved.
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To negotiate with a stubborn real estate seller, start by researching the market to establish a fair price using comparable sales. Understand the seller’s motivation to tailor your approach. Build rapport by being professional and acknowledging their perspective. Leverage data to justify your offer, highlighting the property’s condition or market trends. Be creative by offering flexible terms, like a quicker closing or covering some costs. Start with a reasonable but lower offer to leave room for negotiation, and use deadlines to encourage decisions. If needed, involve a mediator like an agent. Finally, be ready to walk away, showing you’re serious about finding a fair deal.
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Summary of the steps to get a fair price: 1. Obtain supporting evidence. This should be from a reliable source, such as a qualified real estate appraiser. 2. At the outset of the meeting, it is important to listen respectfully and with great patience to what the seller has to say. 3.Respond politely until the seller has expressed all his feelings and reached a point of exhaustion. 4.Present the objective data 5. Emphasize the mutual interest and the importance of reaching a fair outcome for all parties. If done tactfully and non-threateningly, implying the existence of an alternative fair agreement can be an effective strategy. However, if not handled properly, it can backfire and harm your position.
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