The moment offers start rolling in, the entire selling experience takes a turn.
Up until this point, you’ve been busy preparing—cleaning, staging, photographing, and listing your home. There’s been a clear checklist to follow. But once those offers land on the table, it can feel like everything speeds up, becoming chaotic and out of your hands.
Buyers are eager for answers. Agents are making calls. Deadlines begin to pile up. It’s easy to fall into a reactive mindset, saying yes too quickly, giving in to pressure, or second-guessing your decisions before you’ve had a moment to think.
But here’s something most sellers don’t hear often enough: you still have control.
Not over everything, of course. There will always be unpredictable variables. However, at this stage of negotiations, you have more influence than you might realize. Understanding where you can assert your control can help ease the emotional weight and uncertainty of the process.
Let’s break down the parts of the negotiation that you can actually influence, and how to approach them with clarity and confidence.
You have more say in the timeline than you might think
One of the biggest stress points for sellers in Livingston County is the closing date. Buyers often include their preferred timeline in their offers, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it as is.
If you’re also in the market for your next home, need extra time to coordinate your move, or just want a bit of breathing room, that’s a valid part of the discussion. You can request a later closing date, ask for flexibility, or even arrange for a post-closing possession (also known as a rent-back) if you need to stay in your home for a short period after the sale.
What’s important is to secure a closing date that aligns with your plans, whether that’s purchasing your next property, scheduling movers, or wrapping things up at a pace that feels comfortable. Most buyers are open to adjusting timelines; they just need clear communication from you.
Inspection is a conversation, not a demand list
Once the home inspection takes place, things can get tense quickly. It’s common for buyers to return with a list of requested repairs, credits, or changes. Some of these requests may be entirely reasonable, and others might be necessary based on state regulations or the buyer’s lender requirements. But don’t worry; your agent can guide you through all of these requirements.
Here’s the crucial part: this is not a take-it-or-leave-it situation.
You have the right to counter. You can say no. You can offer a credit instead of completing the repair. You can ask for more information before agreeing to anything.
The key is to avoid feeling blindsided. If your agent suggests it, getting a pre-listing inspection or even a walk-through with a contractor can help identify potential issues before the buyer discovers them. This way, you can either address them proactively or prepare for the conversation when it arises.
Contingencies are negotiable
Contingencies are conditions that must be met for the deal to progress. These can include financing, appraisals, or the buyer needing to sell their own home.
These conditions are not set in stone. You’re not obligated to accept every contingency that comes with an offer.
Sometimes, you might find yourself weighing a higher offer with more risk against a lower offer with stronger terms. That’s when having guidance from your agent becomes essential, as they can help break down the details with you. Together, you can determine what you’re willing to accept and where you need to draw the line.
You can request shorter timelines, fewer conditions, or even choose a different offer entirely. The decision is yours.
Even the price can be revisited
Many sellers assume that once a price is agreed upon, it’s set in stone. However, after an appraisal or inspection, the buyer may attempt to renegotiate.
This can feel frustrating and unfair. But remember, you’re not stuck.
You can challenge a low appraisal, especially if comparable sales support a higher value. You can request documentation to back up the buyer’s request. You can push back and see if they’re still committed to the deal.
There are instances when adjusting the price makes sense to keep the transaction on track. However, you shouldn’t feel pressured into it without fully understanding your options.
You can’t control everything, but you can be ready for anything
No matter how solid the offer or how smooth the transaction appears at first, there will always be factors outside your control. A financing hiccup. A delay at the title company. A repair that takes longer than anticipated.
What you can do is prepare.
Work with your agent, who knows how to set expectations early and keep everyone aligned. Be transparent about known issues with your home. Ensure you’re vetting buyers upfront. And stay responsive when decisions need to be made.
When you focus on what you can control, unexpected surprises won’t throw you off course.
Negotiation doesn't have to feel like a battle
For many sellers, this is the stage of the process where emotions can start to take over. There’s money on the line. Timing is crucial. Everyone involved has their own expectations.
But negotiating doesn’t have to mean fighting. It’s about finding the terms that allow you to move forward with confidence.
You don’t have to tackle this alone. Your agent will assist you in thinking through the details, communicating clearly, and staying steady when things start to pick up speed.
Because when you understand what’s fair to ask for and where you have real influence, the process becomes less reactive and much more manageable.
