5 Invaluable Property Negotiation Tips For Overseas Real Estate

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In the book Cross-cultural Business Negotiations by Donald W Hendon, there is this story about a US sales professional with years of negotiating prowess in the US, pulling down walls due to his aggressive negotiation skills. He was asked to negotiate a business deal in Japan and he failed because the same aggressive skills that brought home the bacon in the US was considered a sign of weakness and insincerity in Japan. So negotiating on foreign soil presents a little more challenge.

But whatever the reason for negotiating or the country in which you are negotiating, the important thing is looking beyond the surface and understanding the motivations of the other party. This might be hard to do when you have barriers like cultural, socio-economic, political and religious differences. But you can break through those walls and infer the motivations of the other party; study weak points, analyze your strong point and get a win-win result. Here are property negotiation tips to achieve these whether on home or foreign soil.

1.     Be respectful.

Being respectful and courteous tells the other party you’re calm and might signify you have the strong ground. This would make the negotiations an enjoyable ground for you. Moreover, everyone likes respectful people. Likability can work in your favor. But going in all firing with an aggressive attitude and you could be sending the wrong signals.

 

2.     Do not be afraid to ask for what you want.

Successful negotiators are assertive and challenge everything - they know everything is negotiable. Being assertive means asking for what you want and refusing to accept NO for an answer. (Check the difference between assertiveness and aggressiveness). However practicing being assertive will take care of your interests while maintaining respect for the interests of others. When you put your own interests in front of others and with a lack of respect, then you are negotiating aggressively.

 

3.      Listen.

The most popular word in the English language (or any other language for that matter) is "I". Therefore, it stands to reason that most people love to hear themselves speak. Communication is imperative in any negotiation. Negotiators are looking for that point that will unite the two sides and create a platform for a result. Good negotiators ask questions and then listen. The other party will tell you everything you need to know - all you have to do is listen. Follow rule 90/10 - listen 90% of the time, speak 10% of the time. Make a lot of open questions sit back, relax and listen and you will be amazed at what you hear.

 

4.     Be Prepared.

It’s not a good strategy when you have to sit down at the negotiating table and think "I wish I'd known that" or "If I just found out before leaving the office. Know whatever there is about the house, the neighborhood and the state before getting to the negotiating table.

 

 

5.     Always be willing to walk.

Never negotiate without options. If you rely too much on the positive outcome of a negotiation, you lose your ability to say NO. When you say to yourself: "I will walk if I cannot secure a negotiation that is satisfactory," the other side perceives that you mean business. Their resolution will force them to make concessions.

Doing your homework is vital to successful negotiation. You cannot make accurate decisions without understanding both sides of the process. The more information you have about the people you are trading with, the stronger your negotiating power.

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Buy a Home Abroad Why You Need a Local Realtor

  • 10, March 2023

Information is power, especially when it comes to real estate investing on foreign soil. You have to know the area, the schools around, transport, new developments planned and real estate laws that apply. Staying ahead therefore means you have to do considerable research. However you look at it, you’ll find that having a local realtor is still the best way to get important information you need. Here are five things a local real estate agent will help you with if you wish to buy a home abroad.

1.     Local pricing.

The important thing with buying or selling real estate is price. How do you assess the ‘fair’ value of a property in another location? You have to rely on data from comparable properties. The price of a similar property in the next town may be lower than the price in your current city, for example. Real estate agents have access to such data, given their access to the MLS and can help you determine if what you’re paying for a property is ‘fair’.

 

2.     Get pre-approved for mortgage.

Sellers give more preference to pre-approved buyers and you might be able to lock in a favorable rate with your bank. You need an agent’s help when getting pre-approved for mortgage. They have gone through the process many times before and can be of invaluable help.

 

3.     Help find catalysts.

One sign that an area is coming up and that will be desirable in the future is the development of new infrastructures. When you see new roads and built schools, it is a sign that the community is ready for growth. Investing in a growing community can be very profitable.(check how to spot a developing market). In addition, certain types of development, such as new shopping malls, can be extremely attractive to home buyers, and can also help keep the tax base low. Real estate agents have a general idea of ??what new projects are about to take off.

 

4.     Explore low-tax alternatives

 

If there are two cities side by side - one with high property taxes (or the progressive increase in property taxes) and the other with low property taxes - the one with the lowest taxes will usually be more in demand.

 

Real estate agents can help you determine which areas have the best and worst tax structures. Also look to see if a revaluation is set to take place in the near future as it may mean that property taxes are about to rise.

 

5.     Check school rankings.

Almost all states rank their schools for how well students in each district benefit from math and English tests. Sharp investors should look for schools that are moving up or are at the top of the list. These areas are often desirable for parents. Access to quality education is a great selling point for new home buyers. Agents have access to this information.

 

The bottom line: Doing your homework, getting free information and putting in the leg work alone might not do the job. A local real estate agent is an invaluable resource when looking to buy property abroad. 

By Bebuzee Admin Read More
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Buying Property Abroad 5 Crucial Questions to Ask Before Making an International Real Estate Investment

  • 25, April 2023

What’s the crucial thing when making an investment? Simple! Protect your investment. Whether you’re buying stocks or putting money down on real estate? Whether you are buying property abroad or locally? Whether you are buying overseas property for investment or just looking to relocate? You need to recognize that there are risks. Heck, buying property abroad is like running a hurdle. You’re crossing hurdles like investment restriction laws, taxation, paperwork, exchange rate changes etc. Real estate investing comes at a risk, especially when you are going into relatively uncharted territories. You need to ask yourself some crucial questions.

1.     WHY AM I BUYING THE PROPERTY?

Any decision you take subsequently will depend on this to an extent. Are you buying just to relocate or as an investor. You need to make up your mind. Your choice of mortgage, your budget and the type of insurance you go for would depend on this.

It’s easy to say I’ll move into the property for some time, get a feel of the place for a while then I’ll sell out when the market is steamy. Seems like a good strategy but guess what? Your guess may be wrong? You may have to stay with a property you don’t like for years or just bear the big loss. Hence you need to make up your mind beforehand. Am I relocating or investing?

 

2.     HOW WILL I GET FINANCING?

Financing is a big deal when it comes to buying property abroad. You can’t just carry cash around, you need to select a reputable bank in your destination to deal with. If mortgages are available by the destination bank, you need to ascertain what types of mortgages are available and what contingencies. In a case where a deposit is required by your seller, make sure that an ‘opt out clause’ is signed to make sure your deposit will be returned in case the mortgage falls through.

 

3.     SHOULD I BUY A NEW BUILD PROPERTY?

If you are buying a new construction or an off-plan property, be sure to choose the developer carefully. Ask a lot of questions. Initially, focus these questions on the agent or company itself, not the properties. Ask about customer testimonials and check what is included in their service. Ask for details in writing. You might be tempted to make a deposit on an attractive new-build property right away. Cool down and think before you leap.

 

4.     WHAT ABOUT RENTAL YIELDS?

Property specialists caution against getting sucked in by claims of developers. ‘There is huge capital growth’, ‘rental yields are off the roof’ etc.  Always remember: with big returns come big risks.

 

Don't just think about the profit to be made. Put some effort into your calculations and note that interest rates change over time, also include the tax implications of renting out your property abroad.  You should consult a tax expert or lawyer.

 

5.     WHAT WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS?

Budget for extra costs to be between 8 - 10 % of the house value. This may often be far more in a few countries. Make sure you are, therefore, alert to the costs incurred for investing in a property in your selected country.

 

Whether you want to relocate abroad or create a global real estate investment portfolio, it's important to keep in mind that even the best strategies occasionally fall flat. You are going to therefore need an appropriate contingency plan and exit strategy, as this will lessen any inconvenience triggered and the prospect of financial loss. Hence, for those wanting to relocate, it is important to hold on to ties in your country of origin and ideally preserve a preexisting property for a predetermined time frame. Investors will also have to keep a keen eye on the global market and prevailing economic trends, as these factors may determine the necessity to sell or change strategy.

By Bebuzee Admin Read More
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Whats the impact of Brexit on London real estate?

  • 25, September 2023

While some analysts believe Brexit has made the UK housing market porous. Others believe Brexit will pave way for a stronger housing market in coming years

 

The interaction between real estate and foreign policy is clear cut and this is more than proved by Brexit. As the March 2019 final Brexit negotiations approach, a precursor has been set, which might influence London's real estate market in coming years.

 

A recent report from international property firm, Knight Frank, puts London as the top favorite destination for global capital. This is due to the fact that London still presents liquidity and stability, factors attractive to investors.

 

Nick Braybrook, Knight Frank London's head of capital markets says ‘Despite the political turmoil surrounding the UK with Brexit, London is once again the most liquid real estate market in the world. It is more popular as a home for international investment than Paris Central, Manhattan, Munich, and Frankfurt combined,’.https://www.propertywire.com/news/global-news/londons-commercial-property-market-top-draw-international-buyers The influx of foreign investors particularly Asian buyers could be due to a weakened pound sterling, which has led to a slow growth in home prices.

 

According to an article by FT https://www.ft.com/content/87b1f284-1452-11e7-80f4-13e067d5072c "home prices have seen slow growth since the 2016 Brexit announcement. In May 2018, prices fell by 0.4% in London from an annual rate of 12% in 2016."

 

The pre-Brexit rise in home prices, which were growing at above 10 percent year over year before the EU referendum has given way to slower price growth. 2018 so far has seen a price growth of only 3% all over the UK. For millennials and London residents, the pre-Brexit rates had kept them on edge with staggering prices. Now the current fair price increases and a residential market that is more or less slow present better odds of landing favorable home deals.

 

Currently, London's economy is great. There is a low unemployment rate and inflation rates are down. Speculators, however, believe that the thriving economy will lead to higher interest rates soon. This means that first-time homebuyers would need to pay higher down payments on mortgages.

 

And even though foreign investment has decreased in most sectors, due to the uncertain climate surrounding BREXIT, real estate foreign activity is at its peak. Even the tax hikes introduced on foreign landlords, renting out their houses, hasn't diminished London's foreign real estate activity.

 

2019 will definitely be an interesting year for the UK's housing market, depending on the outcome of the final negotiations between the EU and the UK. However, an abrupt Brexit will do no one any good. Mark Carney, the governor of the bank of England has warned that a "disorderly" Brexit will lead to interest rate hikes which might greatly affect the property market.

 

According to FT, Theresa May’s government is actively seeking to avoid such a scenario. The prime minister has softened her position on Brexit in recent months and has agreed to a transition period that would maintain much of the status quo until at least 2021.

 

What changes do you think might take place before 2021? Leave your thought

By Bebuzee Admin Read More