{"id":201,"date":"2025-05-01T23:43:52","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T23:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hoyonow.com\/blog\/?p=201"},"modified":"2025-05-01T23:43:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T23:43:52","slug":"how-to-handle-negotiations-as-a-fsbo-seller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/portal.hoyonow.com\/blog\/?p=201","title":{"rendered":"How to Handle Negotiations as a FSBO Seller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Robert Urban, FSBO Seller, Veteran of 47 Text Threads That Went Nowhere, and Emotional Support Coffee Drinker<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You skipped the Realtor. Bold move. Now it\u2019s just you, a listing, and the kind of grit usually reserved for people who assemble IKEA furniture without crying.
You’ve made it through pricing, listing, showings, and now you\u2019re standing at the gates of the final boss level: negotiations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where things get spicy.
It\u2019s no longer about granite countertops and square footage \u2014 it\u2019s about nerves, leverage, and not flinching when someone lowballs you like they\u2019re on Pawn Stars.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s your guide to walking into negotiations like a calm, charming psycho who\u2019s already Googled everyone involved and practiced their smile in the mirror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Stay Calm. Emotion Is the Enemy.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first offer rolls in and it\u2019s $40,000 under asking with a note that says:
\u201cWe love your home, but it needs updating.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translation: \u201cWe want a deal, and we\u2019re hoping you\u2019re desperate.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your job is not to scream, cry, or email them back a photo of your middle finger.
Your job is to stay cool<\/strong>, even if you\u2019re hot enough to grill a cheese sandwich on your forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember: This is a negotiation. Not a personal attack.
(Besides, their taste in paint colors is probably garbage anyway.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Don\u2019t Show Your Hand Too Soon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re in charge here. Don\u2019t act like someone selling beanie babies on Facebook Marketplace at 2 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s your bottom line?\u201d don\u2019t answer.
If they say, \u201cWe\u2019re looking at other properties,\u201d say, \u201cThat\u2019s great, so are we.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confidence sells. Desperation smells.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let them talk first. Then take a minute (or a day) to respond.
This isn\u2019t speed dating. This is the biggest transaction of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Know Your Non-Negotiables (and Your Maybes)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you even get into it, make a list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n