One of the most important principles of real estate negotiation is to learn why the seller is selling. More than that though, you want to try to learn the seller’s motivations for every aspect of the process. In other words, learn not just why he wants to sell, but also why he wants to sell a particular way, why he wants the price he is asking, what’s important to him when making decisions, and more.
Watch for personal motivators, too. Is the seller more motivated by what she reads or by what she hears? Is she more motivated by the promise of a fast sale, or a high price? Listen for clues.
A seller who continually says, “I see” is probably more visually oriented and motivated. You want to show such a seller the advantages of your offer. Don’t just explain the offer, but point out on paper why it can work for you both.
Statements like “I just don’t want any problems,” or “I just want to be done with this” indicate she is more motivated to avoid stress than by positive goals. In this case, you would want to make the process as easy as you can for the seller. You might also suggest that this is her...