how do realtors negotiate purchase price?

[Chris M.]

I'm looking to buy a primary residence without a buyers agent and am looking for negotiation strategies.  from what I've read online it seems the appraisal covers a great deal of the variables (neighborhood, market etc)  Aside from offering to pay what the appraisal says the property is worth, what else goes into it?  I'd assume the seller not having to pay a buyer's agent commission, would give the buyer some flexibility in lowering the price.