How Smart Negotiation Made Room for a Bigger Renovation Budget
The C family spent months exploring their options, from condos and townhomes to renovated flips. Eventually, they realized they would rather buy in the right location and create the home they wanted themselves. When a single-family fixer in Mar Vista came up, they reached out for Melody’s Ready-to-Offer package and were ready to act quickly.
Winning without chasing the list price
Melody built a comparative market analysis around the home’s true as-is condition and recent fixer sales, rather than relying on the seller’s asking price. That analysis helped the C family win the home in a multiple-offer situation for more than $80,000 below the original list price. The competing offers came from investors, so Melody used that context to help size an offer that could compete without eating too far into the renovation budget.
Looking at the whole deal
The negotiation did not stop at price. Melody also secured $25,000 in additional savings at closing from the results from inspections. She laid out the financial options for the additional savings such as taking seller credits, buying down the mortgage-rate, and lowering the purchase price, so the family could see the tradeoffs clearly and decide what made the most sense for them.
Planning for the renovation
Because buying the house was only the beginning, Melody also helped the family think through the renovation ahead. She connected them with termite, asbestos, mold, and foundation specialists to get the repairs done. She also helped them compare different ways to structure the project, such as using a design-build firm vs hiring a designer and contractor separately.
The result
- More than $80,000 below the original list price
- Won in a multiple-offer situation
- $25,000 in additional savings at closing
- A purchase price grounded in as-is fixer comps
- An offer that stayed competitive while preserving room for renovation
- A clear comparison of seller credits, rate buy-downs, and price reductions
- Referrals and guidance for local inspectors and contractors for termite, asbestos, mold, foundation, and renovation planning