Right now, I’m finishing my PhD in Clinical Psychology (expected graduation in July 2015).

I'm currently studying buisness, real estate investin, investing in general, and all forms of psychology, and other little niches just outside the psychological spectrum.

My wife is working towards her Doctorate in Psychology.

Spend some time on Google researching the psychological impact of fees.  

77.5K with 1,250 closing costs is 76.25K net, but has the psychological advantage of meeting her current asking price. 

If that's not the case, and if you intend to do repeat business with someone and you want the best of them I'd forego the request altogether.Of course I'm biased, but more than advancing any agenda I want to share a bit of the psychological side. 

That's a key psychology piece to accept in situations like this.At the end of the day your options are to sell for the appraised value (either now or later if you feel like the appraised value will rise predictably and that's acceptable to you), our you are going to sell to a cash buyer AND that cash buyer doesn't care about the market value of the property.If there is some compelling and true reason that the property is more value than the comparable sales approach says (like it doesn't have a comparable home that sold within the last year) then that's a viable situation to think about some creative options like a seller carry-back loan to cover the difference between the appraisal value and the purchase price. 

Here is me: 20+ years appraising real estate, 10+ years energy efficiency contractor for buildings, 25+ years as a landlord; 40+ years composing music; studies in psychology, music, theology, investing, building science; past licenses - appraiser, LEED AP, RESNET, BPI BA/EP, GC, HVAC; Current license RE Broker; Incorporated as an appraisal firm, builder (one house), energy efficiency contractor (2 x); own 4 properties with 14 total bedrooms.  

The psychological stuff involved in being a self managing owner could fill a book.

Hi all,
I'm hoping to get a bit of insight from other investors on their investment philosophies in general. Here is my example:An arts related non-profit is looking for ongoing investors. They will need annual fundi...