to think I may need to be saved from myself as I am such a greedy cow

[orangeflute]

Evening all, I need help and quick. We are looking at p/x on a strata house and have received an offer on our property today. We have been told that we need to reserve by midday tomorrow. I am so excited but dont want to get carried away and want a good deal. Builder has offered us just below the stamp duty threshold so is already saving 1250 by doing so. Would I be a greedy cow in asking for some extras and maybe a little help with our own stamp duty/legal costs? Many thanks xx

You would possibly be a naive cow to take his first offer .

lalalonglegs, do we not take the first offer then? Do we ask for higher? It would really help if we could get more to be honest and the figures are really tight x

You negotiate hard but don't box yourself into a corner if you really want this house. Ask for certain things, be upfront and unapologetic about it. Say that you really like the house but you were hoping to get more for yours, if he wants to stay below the stamp duty threshold, which you completely understand, then you will need to pay a little less for his house and you would also like x,y,z thrown in. I wouldn't mention solicitor's costs, they're just something you have to live with. Don't say: "Unless you give us these things, we're walking away", if you're not prepared to, but state your case and leave the ball in his court. If he says no, try to find some middle ground. He's a developer, he's used to prices being flexible.