What do you do when you and the seller are completely at odds?
First, as a buyer, there's no reason not to use a buyer's agent to assist you in the purchase of the home, and savvy sellers will agree to pay a half commission to a buyer's agent. The buyer's agent can act as the buffer, translating what you want and need into terms the seller can digest.
Your real estate attorney is your next line of defense. Make sure you add an attorney review contingency to your contract so that s/he can go through the contract and protect your interests.
Finally, nothing can replace good manners. Be respectful when speaking directly to the seller and if you're talking about the home while in earshot of the seller's agent.
Remember, a home is a sacred place, and sellers tend to be emotional about where they raised their families. Taking the time to make the sellers understand how much you love their home will go a long way toward a successful negotiation.
