Negotiating Your Way to Success

The power of negotiation can help you unlock doors and achieve goals that once seemed out of reach!

Real estate agents use negotiation skills to help their clients get what they want, but you can use the same techniques to achieve your goals in everyday situations.

Whether you’re discussing a raise with your boss or setting curfews for your kids, the following tips can help you turn challenging situations into win-win solutions:

Plan to Win

Thorough preparation is the foundation of a successful negotiation, so arm yourself with relevant facts and statistics to help strengthen your position and build your confidence.

Build Bridges 

Ask open-ended questions to identify shared interests and goals. This helps build rapport and sets a cooperative tone for negotiations, making it easier to reach an agreement.

Pausing Power

 Don’t say anything after making an offer. This gives the other party a chance to think, but more importantly, it pressures them to break the awkward silence with a response.

This or That 

When faced with resistance, frame the situation with options. “Would you like to do your homework before or after dinner?” steers the conversation toward a decision rather than excuses.

Feel, Felt, Found 

Show empathy by addressing the other person’s concerns. For example, “I understand how you feel. I felt the same way about going to bed early, but I found I had way more energy the next day!”

What If Wins

Introduce hypothetical solutions with phrases like, “What if we did it this way?” This softens resistance and encourages brainstorming, making it easier to find common ground.

It’s Nothing Personal

 Negotiations can quickly spiral out of control when emotions get involved. It’s therefore important to remain calm and to try and see things from their perspective.

Negotiating is a skill that can be learned and mastered over time, but even the most seasoned negotiators can struggle when emotions start to surface.

When it comes to real estate, price is usually the biggest sticking point but other factors, such as the closing date or which fixtures are included, can spark unexpected tension. Even a seemingly innocent comment about the seller’s decor can spell disaster.

If you’re negotiating directly with the owner of a cherished family home, emotions can become a major obstacle. Once negative feelings take over, it can be hard1 Column to recover and the home of your dreams may be lost to ego, pride or principle.

Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s essential to have a skilled real estate agent in your corner to help manage emotions, navigate complexities and ensure the entire process runs smoothly so that everyone’s happy with the outcome!