It may be a bad time to own or sell, but it's a great time to buy now that house prices are falling. Not only can one find a great deal hidden among the many foreclosures and short sales, the economic downturn has scared many people away from taking advantage of plummeting prices. Much has been said about the evils of foreclosure - abandoned houses, vandalized properties, increased crime. These are all negatives, yes, but a savvy investor can take a stripped home and turn it into a resale bringing thousands of dollars of profit or regular rental income.

This advice is aimed mainly at property buyers but it can also be helpful for sellers to be aware these negotiating techniques. Buying or selling a home is likely to be the largest financial transaction you will undertake so it's worthwhile giving some thought to how to get the best price. Even if it only makes a slight difference in the price, given the cost of the average home that can be quite a sum of money.