Real Estate Dealmaking: A Property Investor’s Guide to Negotiating

From there, I proceed to help them visualize or project what will happen in the negotiation session by asking these questions:

• In tomorrow’s negotiation, who will open up the session?
• What will be the first question asked by our team?
• How will the other side answer that question?
• Which of our opponents will be leading the negotiation?
• What will be the second most important topic we will cover?
• How will the other side reply to that topic?
• What will be the toughest question they will ask us?
• What is the toughest question we will ask them?
• From our point of view, how many components to the deal are there?
• How many components do you think they will bring up in the discussion?
• What will be the last topic we discuss?

Usually, first-time junior negotiators think I’m crazy when I go through this visualization session with them. It is only later, after they’ve acquired some negotiation battle scars, that they begin to appreciate this exercise of projection.

Quite often the night before an important negotiation, I find a place in my home to sit in solitude for an hour or two. In this quiet space, I visualize the actual negotiation just as if I were imagining a complete chess game. I can almost hear my opponent’s replies to each of my questions and recommendations.

Negotiating takes place in many arenas other than in the world of real estate. One example is the type used in hostage negotiations. Although the two kinds are inherently different, a few elements of hostage negotiations cross over with real estate negotiations. I believe that studying these elements can strengthen your skills and awareness.

• Establish common ground
• Probe causes
• Establish credibility
• Identify and assess problems
• Validate facts
• Use active listening
• Clarify meanings
• Facilitate prediction of outcome and consequences

To live is to negotiate. Everyone negotiates for something every day. People negotiate for items from the simplest to the most important things in their lives. The purchase of a home or any other type of property, for example, is a major event in a person’s life.

You’ll find that the better you negotiate, the better your life will be. I’ve observed that those who are adept at negotiating live more confidently and with less stress than novice negotiators. Because of that skill, they usually gain an advantage in all the opportunities that they pursue.

About George Donohue

George Donohue is a speaker, author, and executive coach. Learn more about the book, Real Estate Dealmaking: A Property Investor’s Guide to Negotiating at www.george-donohue.com/shop/ 

George Donohue is not an employee of Equity Trust Company. Opinions or ideas expressed are not necessarily those of Equity Trust Company nor do they reflect their views or endorsement. These materials are for informational purposes only. Equity Trust Company, and their affiliates, representatives and officers do not provide legal or tax advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.