December 02, 2025

As a fiduciary real estate advisor, my first duty is to protect my clients’ best interests—financially, legally, and emotionally. That often means knowing how, when, and why to say “No” to offers, terms, and proposals that simply are not in your best interest.

Saying “No” is not about being difficult or confrontational. It is about safeguarding your equity, your negotiating position, and your long‑term goals. Here are several professional, effective ways I say “No” on behalf of my clients while keeping the negotiation productive and respectful.

1. “I’m afraid that’s unacceptable.”

The word “unacceptable” is powerful in negotiation. It is firm, clear, and leaves no doubt that the current proposal does not work for us—yet it does so without attacking the other side’s motives or character.

It draws a clear boundary.
It invites the other side to improve their offer.
It maintains a professional tone.

By prefacing it with “I’m afraid…”, we soften the delivery and acknowledge that we understand the other party may not like hearing it. Still, as your fiduciary, my responsibility is to signal—unequivocally—when an offer fails to meet your objectives or exposes you to unnecessary risk.

2. “I can’t see how that could work for my client.”

This response politely shifts the responsibility back to the other side to justify their proposal, while making it clear that, as it stands, it does not serve you.

In practice, this does three important things:

It communicates a firm “No” without using the word itself.
It frames the issue around your needs and constraints, not personalities.
It often prompts the other side to either improve their terms or articulate benefits they believe we may have overlooked.

If they cannot persuasively show why their offer should be acceptable, it becomes much easier—and more natural—for them to move toward a more favorable position for you.

3. “Is that the best you can do?”

These seven words are a classic negotiation tool—and for good reason.

“Is that the best you can do?” is a courteous but direct way of saying, “No, this isn’t good enough yet.” It:

Signals that we are not satisfied with the current offer.
Encourages the other side to revisit their numbers or terms.
Often uncovers additional flexibility that was not initially presented.

As your fiduciary, I use this question to make sure we’re not leaving money on the table or accepting conditions that could have been improved with one simple, strategic pushback.

4. “There is no way my client can accept those terms.”

There are moments in a negotiation when subtlety is no longer effective. Perhaps the other side is slow to recognize that they’ve reached your limit, or they keep circling back to an unacceptable position. In those situations, a more direct response is not only appropriate—it’s necessary.

A clear statement such as:

“I hope you can appreciate that there is no way my client can accept those terms.”

delivers several messages at once:

We have reached a firm boundary.
Continuing to press on this specific point is unproductive.
If the negotiation is going to move forward, the change must come from the other side.

This level of clarity protects you from being worn down by repeated attempts to get you to accept something that is not in your best interest.

Why This Matters in Real Estate Negotiations

Real estate transactions involve high stakes: hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions of dollars, legal liability, inspection and contingency timelines, appraisal risks, and more. In this environment, an unqualified “Yes” to the wrong terms can cost you dearly.

A skilled real estate negotiator acting as your fiduciary:

Knows when to draw the line.
Knows how to say “No” in ways that preserve relationships and momentum.
Uses “No” strategically to secure better price, better terms, or better protections for you.

Saying “No” is not about being inflexible. It is about being intentional. Every acceptance or rejection should advance your goals and protect your downside. That is the standard I hold myself to when representing clients.

Ready for Representation That Truly Puts You First?

If you want an agent who will treat your transaction with the seriousness it deserves—who will negotiate firmly, professionally, and always with a fiduciary duty to protect you—let’s talk.

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