If you’ve bought or sold a home before, you’re probably familiar with the negotiation process. But even if you’ve been through this before, there are always new tips and tricks to learn. In this blog post, we’ll share some of our top negotiation tips for sellers in Maryland. We’ll cover what to ask for, what to prioritize, pricing, and contingencies. So read on – and happy negotiating!

What Can be Negotiated in the Contract?
When it comes to negotiating a real estate contract, just about every aspect of the sale can be haggled over— the types of contingencies, purchase price and deposit amount, and settlement date are the most common.  It pays to understand what the market conditions are doing so that you know right away what offers just don’t make sense, and which one you should ultimately accept. Don’t forget your timeline — make sure that all parties involved prioritize getting to a signed agreement before anything else. Being vigilant as a seller is key to successful negotiations!
Be Prepared to Ask for What You Want
You need to know your priorities when negotiating as a seller. What matters most to you, and what makes sense based on current market conditions. Don’t be afraid to be firm on your negotiating points but know when to back off if the offer is too good to pass up. Know which items are more important than others and know what you should stick to. At the end of the day, only you can decide what you need most in the contract, and what points you’re willing to compromise on.Â

While price may be of utmost importance, also consider other factors such as the moving out timeframe and the settlement date. Doing your due diligence by researching in advance and understanding what you value most can help to make the negotiation process much smoother.
Sometimes it’s Better to Walk Away Than to Settle for Something that Isn’t Ideal.
If you’re selling a home and find yourself in a difficult negotiation, it’s important to remember you do not need to accept a contract just because its been submitted. Even though it may seem intimidating, walking away from the bargaining table can be one of your best tips when it comes to negotiating. As any savvy negotiator will tell you – sometimes it’s better to just walk away than settle for an agreement that doesn’t line up with your priorities and terms. As a seller, keep in mind you can walk away and keep the property up for sale for future offers, but you also need to consider how the potential risks of doing so, and what your monthly carrying costs can end up being if you choose to go down that route, or accept a contract now that does not satisfy your requirements.
Understand All of the Contingencies Involved Before Agreeing to Anything.
You should always make sure you understand all possible contingencies before agreeing to anything. Not understanding risks is especially dangerous during negotiations: you may be agreeing to something without knowing it, and that can leave you with a terrible outcome. Take a home sale contingency for example- a very risky contingency to accept. You are agreeing to give the buyer time to list and / or sell their current property before settling on yours. If that doesn’t happen, the contract can break. But without it the buyers may not have the financing needed to purchase the home. It’s a double edged sword that add additional risks and outs, more so than other contingencies. So ask plenty of questions, read all of your documents carefully, and prioritize what matters most – because this purchase doesn’t have to be a gamble if you take the time to educate yourself properly first.
Negotiate on Your Own or Hire a Professional
Negotiating a deal can be an intimidating and tricky process, often leaving you questioning what to prioritize or ask for. It’s important to decide whether to do the work on your own or hire a professional. Although it can be costly to do so, hiring a real estate professional has several potential benefits. They have the experience needed to handle any issues that may arise along the way and they know what they should be looking out for to get you the best possible outcome with less risks involved compared to doing it alone. It’s also worth considering that professionals have access to exclusive resources and data that could help during negotiations. Consider both options carefully before deciding which path is right for you.
Seller Negotiations: Closing Thoughts
Negotiating a real estate deal as a seller can either be the easiest or hard part of the transaction and  often has you questioning what to prioritize or ask for. It’s important to decide whether to do the work on your own or hire a professional. There are benefits to both, such as saving yourself the time by doing it yourself, but you may lack the experience a professional can bring to the table, not to mention their resources. They can handle any issues that may arise along the way and they know what they should be looking out for to get you the best possible outcome with less risks involved compared to doing it alone. But at the end of the day, you need to do what makes the most sense for you when negotiating with buyers to sell your home, so focus on your priorities.Â