How Can You Be an Expert Negotiator?

Charleston Real Estate Podcast with Dave Friedman

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I became an expert negotiator as a very young kid. I was down in Mexico with my parents and honed in on a giant box of Chiclets. The man selling them wanted $5, but I only had $3. I went to go ask my mom for the other $2, but instead of giving me the money, she gave me a lesson in negotiating that I will never forget. I went back to the man, with the same $3 and a brand-new mindset, and bam! I bought the box of Chiclets for $3.

The best kind of real estate agent is one that can achieve their clients’ goals, while making the other party feel like they are winning, too. In every negotiation, everything is up for grabs and the best negotiator will always come out on top.

In real estate, negotiations start long before the first showing occurs. As an expert, I like to discover the motivations of the other party; that way you are armed with the information you need to negotiate the best terms.

To win, you’ve got to ask the right questions and use the right words. If any desperation is sensed, you’ve lost the foundation you’ve built. The minute you act like you are afraid, you have lost the negotiation.

Becoming a good negotiator takes a lot of practice. You have to constantly hone that skill until you are unconsciously confident in being a negotiator.


If you have any questions or want to become a better negotiator, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!