Surprises in Taos Land Negotiations

Posted by Jim Kimmons, Broker/Owner • February 2, 2008 • Printer-friendly

Taos real estate negotiations are always interesting. The motivations for both buyers and sellers in this vacation home market are quite different from those relocating for jobs or other reasons.

In land sale negotiations I've experienced the most surprises. Generally, they have been favorable surprises for my buyer clients. I have had far more first offers accepted on land. Actually, very few are ever accepted without a counter offer on homes. That's logical, as there are costs in getting a home constructed in the Taos real estate market that require holding more steadfastly to a bottom line price.

Land, at least land not subdivided for development, may have been held for many years. Though comparable sold statistics may show that the land should sell for a certain amount, the sellers may be heirs or long term holders who aren't locked into that number. I am not encouraging low-balling your first offer for land in Taos. However, a larger percentage off listing price for a first offer is possibly indicated for land over homes. Consult a Taos real estate broker with experience in working with buyers for land.