If you know why a seller wants to sell, it can help you negotiate a better offer. The more motivated the seller, the more you can negotiate. It may take some finesse, but see if you can work these questions into conversation with the seller or the listing agent.

	Which  of these reasons apply to the seller? These can go either way. You will have to get a sense  from your conversation how quickly they want to sell the house if they: Need more space Need less space Want to relocate Are unhappy with neighbors or the neighborhood You may be able to negotiate to have the seller finance  part of your purchase. Explore this possibility if they: Have lived there a long time Owe little or nothing on the house Are retiring You may have some leverage when negotiating, if the  seller needs to sell the house quickly because of: Relocating involuntarily (for example, a job transfer) Changing marital status Financial reasons Health reasons A death in family
	Is the seller highly motivated to sell? A highly motivated seller MUST sell soon. Job transfer,  divorce and financial difficulties put pressure on the seller, which can  benefit you when you make an offer.
	Has the  seller bought another house that has yet to close? The seller will be more anxious to facilitate your purchase if the seller needs to complete the purchase of another house soon.
	Is the seller trying to cash in on this investment? If so, you will have trouble negotiating too many  concessions.
	Has  the seller lived there a long time? If a seller has been in a home a long time and accumulated a lot of equity, you may be able to negotiate to have the seller finance part of your purchase.

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