Get as Much Info as Possible When Negotiating
At the Washington Post Real Estate Mail bag, a discussion about whether or not buyers should ask sellers the question: “why are you selling?”
As a buyer, I always ask this question, and you should too. A good seller’s agent won’t give up any info, but you should still ask. Every bit of information that you can get your hands on about the seller and the circumstances of the sale will give you an advantage in the negotiation.
So find out what you can, and if the seller is in a hurry or doesn’t have a lot of options, use this to get better terms or a lower price. Be nice about it, but definitely use it.
Of course if you’re selling, don’t give up this information, especially if you’re in a bind.