How to negotiate nicely with seller?

[Skye Bowen]

Hello everyone!

I'll be looking at a MH in Central NY area... in talking with the seller through email (apparently he's out of state) he keeps saying that it's worth $15k mint, and because of some water damage to the bedroom, he's kindly dropped the price down to $5k.

Did I mention it's a 1984?

I'm sure it's a nice home, I'm sure he bought it full price... but he keeps saying it's only $5k, and he brought it ALL the way down to that.

How do I kindly tell him I don't think it's worth that, without sounding rude? Especially over email (should I get his number and call before discussing prices?).... I'm new at this, so any encouragement or ideas would be helpful.

Thank you guys so much, you are all inspiration!

~Skye

[Ali Samana]

some very solid points up there. Many times people overlook that in a negotiation it is not you VS them. You are both on the same team and you want to help him move his house quickly. Once he realizes that, then he will be more receptive.