Negotiations Part 2

If you are the buyer in a home sale transaction, you should be prepared to submit an offer to the seller. An offer is not simply the price -- there are more components involved.

The real estate agent will act as the conveyor of information. There are a few things to look out for in such negotiations: 1) include a finance contingency, even if you have loan pre-approval, 2) insist on an engineer's, termite and radon inspection contingencies, 3) itemize the personal property you want included, such as chandeliers or drapes, and 4) submit the closing date you prefer.

Buyers should be prepared to make their best offer first, but if that offer is not acceptable to the seller, they should expect to go through a round of counter-offers.