Negotiating a home price starts well before you make an offer. Research recent comparable sales in the neighborhood to understand fair market value, and pay attention to how long the property has been listed — homes sitting longer often signal room to negotiate.
Getting pre-approved for financing strengthens your position, showing sellers you’re a serious and capable buyer. It’s also worth asking your agent about the seller’s motivation; someone relocating for a job or managing an estate sale may be more flexible on price or terms.
Don’t focus solely on the purchase price. Requesting concessions like closing cost credits, home warranties, or repairs identified during inspection can add real value to your deal even if the seller won’t budge on the listing price itself. Above all, be prepared to walk away — the strongest negotiating position is one where you’re not emotionally locked into a single property.