How do you sum up a day in the life of a negotiator?

Quite simply, you can’t. That’s what make my job so enjoyable – every day is different!

I have been a negotiator for many years now and it still amazes me how much has changed. From the easy days where you could just put a listing in the ESPC and you would have a sale (you didn’t even think about asking the position of the buyer!), to 2008 and the property crash and then introduction of home reports in the same year, through to today’s market which is an ever changing landscape.

My day will often start with following up on viewings which took place the previous day. For clients it can be really difficult during the viewing to gauge who the seriously interested parties are – often you will find it is the people who say very little and who you think you won’t hear from again! That’s’ why it is important for me to have an honest conversation with the viewers and this really helps to build a picture of how the sale is going. Sometime clients will say to me ‘don’t worry about following up the viewers, if they are interested they will call you’ but whilst it is useful to gain the positive feedback it also helps to gain any negative feedback as there could be something coming up again and again which is an easy fix.

One of the best parts of my job is dealing with closing dates. There is nothing more rewarding than having worked hard on your client’s sale and then being able to sit down with them at the closing date to reveal the offers which have been received – particularly when they are left speechless at the outcome and are delighted with what has been achieved.

Generally, negotiators tend to be office based however I like wherever possible to go out to see the properties which are coming onto the market with us – you can sell something so much easier if you have seen it – you can enthuse with the viewers over the good points and overcome obstacles on any negative points. I also think that sellers are trusting you with often their biggest asset so for them to have met who will be dealing with their sale makes the relationship so much stronger.

It was an easy market to work in pre 2008 but I think to have worked through the tough times and to have come out the other side (still smiling thanks to a great team to work alongside) has given me so much more experience and the ability to adapt to market conditions and to help my clients actually enjoy the process of selling their home which as we know can be one of the most stressful experiences in life.

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If you would like to discuss the sale of your home further please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Lyndsey Beckwith
Phone: 0131 516 5366
Email: lbeckwith@gilsongray.co.uk

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The information and opinions contained in this blog are for information only. They are not intended to constitute advice and should not be relied upon or considered as a replacement for advice. Before acting on any of the information contained in this blog, please seek specific advice from Gilson Gray.