Financial Answer Center

Negotiating your deal is something of an art form. Here's a list of some items you may want to consider in negotiating your selling price:

What will be included with the home when you sell it (or excluded from the deal)?

• Appliances
• Curtains/rods/blinds/shades
• Ceiling fans
• Chandeliers
• Refrigerators
• Carpeting
• Security features
• Television antennas
• Screens
• Special outside lighting
• Outdoor sheds
• Bookcases

Other items the buyer may want addressed before they agree on a price:

• Repainting required?
• Carpeting needs replacing or cleaning?
• Landscaping needs work?
• Any warranty? If so, will you pay for it?
• Roof in good shape?
• Walkways cracked?

Once the buyer decides on his or her figure, it is presented to their agent, if they're using one, or directly to you and your agent (the listing agent). A token amount of cash will probably be deposited with the bid.

Once you are presented with the offer, you have three choices: accept the offer, reject it, or counter-offer. This is where negotiating comes into play. You could go several rounds and not agree on something until the fourth or fifth round. Once you do, your next step is to enter into a contract.