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5 NEGOTIATING TACTICS THAT KILL A SALE

Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid:

  1. Lowball offers: Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they’ll accept, and if you’re not even approaching the low end of that range, they won’t even consider the offer.
  2. Incremental negotiations: Don’t continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can grow tiresome and lead the seller to consider other opportunities.
  3. “Take it or leave it”: Try not to draw a line in the sand with your initial offer. The seller can get defensive and consider other offers if you immediately show that you’re unwilling to budge. Even if it’s true, don’t make a show of it.
  4. Nitpicking after inspection: Obviously, if the inspection reveals a major issue, it should be factored into the final sale price. But insisting on a lower price for every minor repair can put negotiations in a stalemate.
  5. Asking for more, more, more: Some buyers will request that the sellers throw in add-ons like furniture or appliances that weren’t included in the listing. Try to avoid giving the seller a reason to build up resentment and think that you’re being greedy.

The agents of A to Z Realty, LLC are here to help you get the best price possible. Our agents are happy to talk to you about your goals and plan with you to achieve them. Visit and Like our Facebook Page to keep in touch.

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3 Ways Tag Sales Can Help

A to Z Realty - 3 Ways Tag Sales Can Help

3 Ways Tag Sales Can Help

by Osi Rosenberg

Osi-Korn Rosenberg photo

“Having lived in Stratford for over ten years, I am always surprised that as I tag sale, I find new undiscovered streets and hidden neighborhood treasures.”

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What is Radon and Should I Worry?

A to Z Realty - What is Radon and Should I Worry?

What is Radon and Should I Worry?

by Osi Rosenberg

Osi-Korn Rosenberg photo

When putting in an offer on a property, you have an option to conduct inspections to ensure you have the best idea of what you are purchasing. It is kind of like a test drive on a new car or a mechanical inspection of a used car.

Even the most perfect home may have hidden issues that can be costly. As much as we like to trust that all the disclosures are accurate, there may be information the sellers either don’t know or “forgot” to mention. Inspections are key to knowing your home inside and out.

There are many parts of a home inspection such as mechanical, water tests, and even air tests. This blog focuses specifically on the air portion of the home inspection, the radon test.

What is radon?

It’s time for an earth science lesson, so let’s go back to 6th grade for a moment. Remember the parts of the earth? The center is the core which is surrounded by the mantle, and on the outermost part, the Earth’s crust. The Earth is a living, breathing planet that is constantly emitting gasses all around us, from methane to oxygen. One of those gases is radon. It is an invisible gas that is formed in the Earth’s crust. It comes from rocks and soil beneath the Earth which contain traces of the element uranium. Over time, the rocks break down and release a gas which eventually decomposes to become radon gas.

A to Z Realty - What is Radon and Should I Worry?
This is a photo of E-Perm Chambers. This detection device measures the voltage change in the test equipment which measures the radon concentrations in a home. Tests must be conducted for at least 48 hours in a home.

Why is it so dangerous?

Radon is in the air we breathe, so why is it a big deal? It comes from a break down of the element uranium, which we know has radioactive properties. As uranium decays, radium is eventually created and it contains a radioactive byproduct which we know to be radon. In case you were wondering if that’s a good thing … it isn’t!

What are the effects?

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. More than 20,000 people die from radon-related lung cancer every year in the United States.

How does it get in my home?

The gas comes from the ground and can enter a home through the windows, water sources, and cracks in foundation. Homes that are well insulated and whose windows are kept closed have the unfortunate effect of building up the amount of radon in the air. If it has nowhere to escape into the atmosphere, it will linger, and the occupants of the home will continue to breathe it in.

What can I do to protect my family?

An inspection involves monitoring the air of the home using a special test that is provided by the home inspector. After 48 hours of exposure to the air in the home, the test is analyzed and results are reported to you by the inspector.

There is no avoiding the gas as it is in the air we breathe. However, we can mitigate its buildup in our homes. There are many companies that specialize in radon mitigation.

Costs of mitigating average between $800 – $1,500.

A to Z Realty - What is Radon and Should I Worry?
This is a photo of a Continuous Monitoring device. This system measure the hourly concentrations in a home which is then averages over the period of the test.

Your take away

Before putting in an offer on a property, make sure you include a radon inspection as a contingency of purchase. Once the tests come back, you will know if the levels are acceptable or if a mitigation system should be installed. This may be something that can be negotiated out of your sale price.

To learn more about this toxic gas, take a look at some of these articles:

What is Radon? – Airthings.com

Radon – United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.gov)

Radon and Cancer – Cancer.org

Reducing Radon in Your Home – SOSRadon.org

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