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Have you heard? Interest rates have gone down again. Add that to the fact that home prices are the lowest they've been in who knows how long and you've got quite the mixture for the perfect buyer's market.

The current real estate market is in the news a lot lately. In fact, it's hard to miss the fact that you, as a home buyer, are in great demand. New home developers are slashing prices and offering some pretty sweet incentives to entice you to buy. If developers are willing to give up so much to sell their homes, just think what great deals you can get on the resale market.

Sound mercenary? Hey, after the huge seller's market this country experienced over the past decade, with homes skyrocketing in value and bidding wars on even the trashiest homes on the market, it's wonderful that it's finally the buyer's turn. You are definitely in the driver's seat.

The most important thing for you to remember is to not become emotionally involved in the process. Don't get attached to a house. If you do, you will lose all ability to negotiate. And, that's what this is all about, right?

When you find the home you want to buy you'll need some negotiating tips to make sure you get the best deal possible. The sales price is the obvious place to start but there are other places you can haggle as well. When looking for a real estate bargain, there are several things to consider, the most important of which is the seller's motivation level.

Why ARE They Selling?

There are a a number of reasons people sell their homes. These reasons are important for you to know in order to find out how anxious the property owner is to make the sale. Try to plan your first tour of the home when the seller is sure to be home. There are some questions you can ask that will help you determine how motivated he is. Often, a simple, "How long have you lived here?" can lead to an opening for the "and why are you moving, if you don't mind my asking?"

If it's a divorce or job relocation that has prompted them to put the home on the market, they are probably in a bit of a hurry to get the home sold. On the other hand, if they are down-sizing, they may feel they can take their time and wait for a higher offer on the home.

Time on the Market

How long has the property been on the market? Your agent will be able to give you this information. Why is this important? Ideally, you want to find homes that have been on the market awhile. Remember: the main reason that a house stays on the market longer than similar

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