When you buy a home, your goal is to present a deal that'll make everyone feel like a winner. That's tough to do, particularly if your seller isn't really ready to move and is feeling pressured to make a deal. It's also hard to do if you're in a bidding war and worry that you may be overpaying for your new home.
In a hot seller's market, there's generally little reason for the seller to give you everything you want during the negotiations. In fact, you might find yourself giving the seller everything he or she wants. While you can ask the seller to fix certain appliances or problems that become known in the inspection report, be prepared for the seller to turn your request(s) down.
Your best bet is to approach the negotiations in a friendly way. Using an attorney or your agent as a mediator can be helpful. Try to find some common ground that will allow you and the seller to walk away feeling good about your deal. Write a letter to the seller letting him or her know how much you love the house and how well you'll take care of it.
By making the seller feel good about the deal, you stand a better chance of getting what you want.
