(Part 5 in a series of tips on how to negotiate successfully and keep emotions to a minimum when buying or selling a house.)

Deadlines are deadlines, but you won’t get any brownie points for being early in real estate negotiations. When emotions get in the way and people have a deadline, they often jump to beat it and regret their decision later after they’ve had time to think about it. Instead, negotiators should wait, to see if there may be any other outcomes, or to see if a little ruminating time might change the answer.

 Remember that conversation you had with your self, way back in part one? Go there again. Talk to yourself and see if what’s on the table with a deadline hanging over it is part of the deal you made with yourself. Remember the goal? The house deal, right? If you’ve got some time to consider all sides of an offer, why not use it to your best advantage.

 For more information, contact Vanessa Saunders .