Christine Sarno-Olson Realtor

One of the biggest factors influencing the market is something many people overlook.

Inventory.

The number of homes available changes how buyers and sellers behave. When options are limited, buyers move differently. When choices increase, they become more selective.

Understanding this helps explain why the same strategy does not always work in every market.

Paying attention to inventory provides context behind what is happening and why.

Negotiation is often misunderstood as a back and forth over price, but it is really a conversation about priorities.

Each side is trying to protect what matters most to them. Sometimes that is timing, sometimes it is certainty, and sometimes it is financial.

Understanding those priorities creates better outcomes.

The goal is not just to win. It is to reach an agreement that makes sense for both sides.

That is where the strongest deals are built.