Into the Weekend 01.17.25

Many of you reading this have entrusted me or a member of my team to represent you in the past with either a home purchase or sale. And that means it's highly likely that you’ve heard me harp on one of my fundamental beliefs: that everything in the world is negotiable. Except kids. And sometimes even then.

In a real estate transaction, this usually boils down to: price, contingencies, inspection stuff, possession, closing, condition, mortgage terms, earnest money, and timing. Depending on your negotiating power, we do our best with these terms to work out a deal which maximizes a beneficial outcome.

But more and more, buyers are throwing in other items to negotiate: furniture and other personal property which is not attached to the real estate itself. Things like sectionals, mirrors, rugs, nightstands, duvet covers which match the drapes, chatchkes the seller’s great grandmother brought from the old country, firewood, outdoor chaises, breakfast room tables & chairs, other tables & chairs, gardening tools, snow blowers, and even (mostly bad) artwork.

I’ve seen it all. But let me be frank for those who may be taking my fundamental belief about everything being negotiable a little too seriously: Inasmuch as my team and I are experts on ascertaining home values, real estate agents have no such  mastery of the values of these crazy “throw in” items. 

So while it may be fun to ask for a few things here and there, please, um, cool your jets. The more time we spend going back and forth on this stuff, the more distraction from the essentials - and the less likely we will come to terms on a good deal for you.

And like you’re really going to use someone’s used duvet cover?? Seriously??

Have a great weekend!

Best,

Brad