======Become a POWER LISTENER=== Here's a listening trick that I use sometimes.....lean forward and slightly towards them while they're talking and place your cupped hand behind your ear to increase amplification if a distraction arises while they're talking.

If they don't agree, you can report them to the IRS (though I don't know, realistically, what if anything the IRS will do).I have a feeling that a "reminder" phone call should do the trick...

Reminds me of a guy who shot out offeres by the dozens offering full price, the trick was that he wanted to pay it with the maturity value of zero coupon bonds!

I was once told an interesting "trick" by a seasoned RE Investor.

Stopping water from getting in is my biggest challenge as my tendency is to go all out to solve the problem but, if I put new siding on this, I'll be paying my buyer to take it off my hands:-).One trick I've been using to keep costs down is to buy gently used.  

The trick of course, (other than finding the deal in the first place), is to buy at a low enough price that we are still able to sell quickly at below market value.The "finders fee" concept you mention is essentially what "Wholesaling" is all about, (to me). 

Any suggestions, tips or tricks? 

So I'm curious if the company just made up some number and tricked us to believe they lowered the value and charged us for the work they didn't do.

that's the trick you're using to make sure?

Not trying to trick anyone just trying to have a better impression.