"negotiating" ..... a little one said

The ability to negotiate successfully is crucial not only for successful real estate transactions, but also for daily life events in general. 

When negotiating, keep these rules in mind:

• Challenge the ideas that are presented to you. Negotiating requires you to be assertive and question what you are being told. If you disagree with someone regarding the price, value or condition, speak your mind. Of course, be sure to do so diplomatically.
  
  
• Become a good listener. Listening carefully and critically thinking about what you are being told can prevent a considerable amount of confusion and ensure that the negotiations run smoothly.
  
  
• Be prepared. If you're buying, what exactly does the property have that could take away from its value? What is community like? What is the average selling price in the neighborhood? If you're selling, know your property extremely well; you cannot allow yourself to be taken aback by what a prospective buyer might say.
  
  
• Aim high. If you're selling, try marking the price of your home about 5% above what you would actually want. This will leave you some negotiating space. If you're a buyer, enter negotiations with the optimistic attitude that the seller will come down.
  
  
• Just a little patience. Relax. This could take awhile.