Before we get into your role with the buyer, the first relationship is with your Realtor.

Say what!?

You want to sell your house on your own?

Okay, perhaps, I will need to address that in a future writing but, suffice it to say, most sellers eventually work with a real estate professional.

This is the person with whom you will have the closest relationship so you had better choose wisely.

Your neighbor, the teacher who also happens to have her real estate license, or your Aunt Norma may not necessarily be the best selection.

Experience, full-time status, and testimonials may be good indicators in the Gainesville realty search.

But…

• What about openness?
• Isn’t openness all about being who we are?
• How do others respond to openness?
• Don’t they, in turn, open up as well?
• Isn’t rapport  all about allowing us to be who we are when we are with others?
• Don’t you want to be in a business relationship whereby both parties are themselves and can communicate freely?

If so, I encourage you to interview as many Realtors necessary in order to find that person.

It may be the single most important decision you make when selling Gainesville, Florida property.

Tell me, what would you prefer – to be looking over your shoulder questioning the actions (or inactions) of your Realtor – or – feeling confident you have a partner throughout this process who has your best interests at hand?

As for the buyer and the buyer’s agent, there are those who just don’t get it. I have seen buyers try to “steal” properties making ridiculous and often insulting offers.

Yes, you do need to keep in mind that this is a business transaction (despite the fond memories of  playing with little Matthew on the swing set,  your beloved pooch, Emma bearing 5 pups in the cardboard box in the garage, and the tree planted in the backyard on your first anniversary).

Sorry, but no one other than you cares about these things (and I write this with love)…

And once a buyer shows his true self, it is difficult (but not impossible) to recover.

But recover you must.

My best advice to any seller no matter who you have chosen to represent you, and no matter how “offensive” an offer may appear, is to counter-offer. Why would you not? It takes a mere five minutes of paperwork to do so.

What’s that?

You’re $50,000 apart?

And your point is????

This is a buyer who has an interest in purchasing your property and you are going to say NO and move on?

While their tactics may not be appreciated, it is this writer’s opinion that you engage with the buyer, not dis-engage.

By dis-engaging, you’re putting the buyer in a no-win situation.

Rarely will a buyer come back after a refusal to counter.

The seller now looks like the bad guy, unbending, unwilling to negotiate. Even if your counter-offer is a mere $5000 off your list price (hey, now you are only $45,000 apart!), it shows good faith on your part and a willingness to work (and play well) with others.

And let’s not let the window treatments, or the lawn mower in the garage stop an otherwise acceptable offer. A year from now you won’t even remember these insignificant issues.

You’ll be at peace in your new home with your new life.

Remember what I wrote in Gainesville Realty: Tips for the Spiritual Sale of Gainesville Houses (part one)?

We all want to be heard and respected, yes, even the low ball (or gotta try to get one more thing out of you) buyer. Again, you can’t control others’ behaviors, but you can control your own. And we are responsible for our behaviors. When we take that responsibility we move from victim to victor.

Wishing you all a victory in your next real estate transaction!

* Cindy Harrington is a realtor with Bosshardt Realty Services, Inc. in Gainesville, FL

Click here for Gainesville Realty….Tips for the Spiritual Sale of Gainesville Houses (part one).