Buyer Resource Center › The Negotiating Process › 7 Negotiation Mistakes Buyers Often Regret
Negotiating for a home is part strategy and part emotion, and it's easy to let the emotional side take over. The mistakes below are the ones buyers tell me they regret most. Avoiding them can save you money, protect you from a bad deal, and keep you from losing the home you really want.
7 Mistakes to Avoid
Going In Without a Plan
Before you make an offer, decide your opening price, your top price, and what terms matter most. Without a plan, it's easy to react in the moment and either overpay or lose the home over a small difference.
Showing Your Hand
Telling the listing agent how much you love the house, how much you can really spend, or how urgently you need to move gives the seller leverage. Let your agent do the talking.
Focusing Only on Price
Price matters, but so do the closing date, possession, earnest money, contingencies, and seller concessions. Sometimes flexibility on terms wins a home that a higher price wouldn't.
Lowballing Without a Reason
A very low offer on a fairly priced home can offend the seller and shut down negotiations before they start. Base your offer on a CMA and the home's condition, not on a hunch.
Waiving Protections to Win
In a competitive market, buyers are tempted to waive inspections or other contingencies. That can save a deal today and cost you thousands later.
Nickel and Diming After Inspection
Asking the seller to fix every small item on the inspection report can sour the deal. Focus repair requests on safety, structure, and major systems.
Not Knowing When to Walk Away
Sometimes the best negotiation is the one you walk away from. If the numbers stop making sense or the inspection reveals too much, another home will come along.
The bottom line: Good negotiating is calm, informed, and strategic. Know your numbers, keep your emotions private, consider the whole package, protect yourself, and be willing to walk away. Having an experienced buyer's agent negotiate for you is the best protection of all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much below asking price should I offer?
It depends on the home's pricing, condition, time on market, and competition. A CMA showing recent comparable sales is the best guide for a smart offer.
Is it a mistake to waive the home inspection?
Usually, yes. Waiving can expose you to costly surprises. If you need a stronger offer, consider a shorter inspection period instead of skipping it.
Can I waive the VA appraisal to make my offer stronger?
No. A VA loan always requires a VA appraisal, and the VA amendatory clause protects your earnest money if the value comes in below the price. Your agent can help address any seller concerns about it.
What can I negotiate besides price?
Closing date, possession timing, earnest money, inspection period, repairs, and seller paid closing costs or concessions are all negotiable.
How do I avoid overpaying in a bidding war?
Set your top price before you make an offer, based on a CMA and your budget, and stick to it. An escalation clause can help you compete without blindly bidding up.
Should I negotiate on my own to save money?
It's risky. The listing agent represents the seller. Your own buyer's agent knows the market, the contracts, and how to negotiate on your behalf.
Keep Reading
The Real Estate Negotiating Process
Offers, counteroffers, and how a deal comes together.
Read more ›Appropriate (and Unreasonable) Inspection Repair Requests
What's fair to ask for after an inspection, and what isn't.
Read more ›Winning in a Competitive Market: Low Inventory and Multiple Offers
How to compete when homes are scarce, without overpaying or waiving key protections.
Read more ›
Meet Your Veteran Realtor
Troy Doty, Principal Broker
Troy Doty is a Principal Broker with Northwest Realty Source in Portland, with 25 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold across the Portland metro and SW Washington. As a Marine Corps veteran, Troy has a true passion for helping Portland veterans and active duty military families buy and sell homes, whether you're PCSing in, transitioning out, buying your first home, investing in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, or right sizing later in life.
Schedule a Call or Video Meeting ➜ More About Troy ➜ Free Veteran Buyer E-BookPrefer to call or email? 503.997.4169 · troy@nwrealtysource.com
Troy Doty, Principal Broker, Northwest Realty Source. Licensed in Oregon and Washington. ABR®, MRP, and SRES® are credentials of the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliates. CIAS™ is a designation of U.S. Realty Training. Content adapted in part from ABR® consumer resources. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice.
