What is the primary objective for a buyer when negotiating the purchase of a home? Would it be fair to say that the buyers want the lowest price possible with the most liberal terms? And what about the sellers of a home? Would you agree that the sellers want the highest price possible with the terms most favorable to them?

It's pretty easy to see then that the buyers and the sellers in a real estate transaction each have goals that are diametrically opposed to one another. As a result, they can each become highly anxious, emotional, and especially frustrated by the negotiating process. The solution is to create a "buffer zone," or an arena in which negotiations can be carried out in a logical, businesslike and objective manner.

This can best be accomplished through the use of a reputable real estate company and its agent. Here's why: although a real estate agent may represent either the seller or the buyer or sometimes both in a purchase transaction, all parties must be treated equally and fairly.

Also, not being emotionally involved in the transaction, the agent becomes an objective or "neutral" participant - the "buffer." Thus both buyers and sellers can seek advice, make comments, offers, and counteroffers without fear of raising each other's anxiety levels. The result can be a highly rewarding home purchase and sale for both the buyers and sellers.