Negotiating is a crucial part of any deal, and lays the foundation for a clear, enforceable contract.
Haggling is . . . an annoying waste of time.
What’s the difference?
Exactly two decimals.
$10,000 vs. $100
So, a $10,000 item on a $250,000 house is the stuff of negotiation.
A $100 item (or less) is haggling.
(Note: accountants’ term for the difference is “materiality.”)
P.S.: It takes two to haggle. One side can put a stop to it by making clear that their final terms — whatever they are — are indeed final.
Then the other side gets to decide if they want the deal or not.
See also, “Splitting the Difference & Other Negotiating Tactics“; “The Difference Between a Home Inspection Addendum and a Repair List”; and “The Key to Successful Negotiating: Getting to Yes? Or, Getting to No?“
