As home sales continue to look sluggish in many parts of the country, developers are becoming more open to a bit of creativity on their stated terms. How can you, as a buyer, put your best foot forward at the negotiation table? Above everything else, the Scout's Motto holds true -- Be Prepared.
Yes, it is possible to negotiate with residential property developers.
Ramesh Nair, COO -- Business & International Director, JLL India, believes that failing to prepare is a surefire way to fail.
You should be conversant with comparable sales in the project's vicinity, and know how long it has been on the market. It is important to establish what the launch rates were, how they have moved since then and what the current demand for flats like yours is in the stated locality. You should also find out by word of mouth how much the developer is willing to negotiate. Typically, developers make decisions on pricing based on how a particular project is performing, as well as on how they are faring in general.
If you are interested in an apartment but feel you cannot afford it at the quoted price, have no apprehension. Many sale prices today are quoted prices, and there is room to negotiate. While developers today are willing to relent off the radar, they are averse to reducing the official quoted price below a certain point. This is partially because they don't want to advertise the fact that certain customers paid less than others. They are often likelier to offer freebies or incentives.
- If possible, try to find a group of buyers and negotiate for a bulk discount.
- Keep in mind that that if you have the ability to pay a larger upfront amount, you have extra bargaining power.
- Ensure that you have obtained a pre-approved loan from a home finance company for a home loan, based on your income. A loan pre-approval will show the developer that you are serious. Let him know that you are pre-qualified for the amount you are offering.
- If sales volumes have dropped and there are many unsold apartments in the vicinity, point this out to the developer and use the fact to your advantage. An unsold apartment will cost the developer more over time than lowering the price and selling the unit quickly.
- If market prices have fallen since the property was completed and several units remain unsold, a larger discount may be possible.
Making an offer
Submit an offer to purchase the apartment even if you are unsure whether the developer will accept the offer. Some developers will not begin negotiations until you make a firm offer.
The best strategy is to drive around the locality you are interested in and get the best prices from each developer. Then shorten the list to the options you are really interested in and go on a result-oriented, two-day property safari. Let each developer know that you are looking for the best project at the best price, and that you are definitely buying that weekend. Let them know that that you are weighing their offers against the other ones available.
Remember, without making a formal offer, there is really no way to know how low a developer will go on his price. While making your offer, volunteer information such as where you work and how much you earn to assure the developer that you can afford the property. Always offer to close the deal fast -- make sure you mention this during the negotiation. Also ensure that you get the developer to commit first.
If the developer remains firm on his price
Negotiate for what you estimate to be a realistic price. If the developer refuses, don't be surprised if you hear back from him a few days later, willing to reconsider your offer. There is greater flexibility in negotiating the extras versus the base sales price. Without making an obvious display of satisfaction, convey that you need to look at your numbers before you take a decision.
Your goal is to purchase a home -- not to beat the developer down. Know when to walk away. Always remember that price isn't the only negotiable instrument in your hand.
Remember most developers hate to haggle, so gather all your negotiating points into a single offer and position it as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. At the end of the day, there may be some projects where the developer is simply not in the mood to negotiate on. If he remains adamant and you cannot agree on a better price for a flat for which you have other options, walk away.
Note that here are many factors that will influence the developer's lowest acceptable price. These include:
- The prevailing market conditions
- The developer's financing pattern
- Whether he is in a rush to sell or happy to wait for a higher offer
- How much he paid for the land
If you think the price is far higher than current market prices, it is possible that the developer purchased the land during the market peak. In such a case, he will remain inflexible on his rate since he will not want to sell at a loss.
Typical mistakes buyers make
- Not spending enough time to understand the developer
- Forgetting to do their homework
- Not negotiating in person
- Making ridiculously low counter-offers
- Making disparaging remarks about the project
A good negotiator...
- Knows how to listen
- Researches well to gets all the facts
- Stays calm during the negotiation process
- Takes notes and makes realistic offer
A good negotiator does not allow the desire to own a certain property to become obvious during the negotiation process. Also, he or she does not take anything personally and can therefore see opportunities objectively. Finally, a good negotiator always has other options, never reveals weaknesses, plays his or her cards close to the chest and does not take anything for granted.
Photographs: Mark Moz/Creative Commons
