For example, you are negotiating a house pricethat is worth hundreds of thousands... Surely it pays you to have some knowledge about theart of negotiation because a costly error or if they otherparty comes out on top could cost you 20 grand! So whether it be at work, rest or play here are my top4 tips to ensure that you come out on top with all of your negotiations from this point forward:

TIP # 1 OPTIONS ARE THE KEY The person who has the fewest options going into anegotiation often comes out losing. Make sure that that you let the other side know that youhave options. Name names, name the locations of theother houses, name other suppliers etc This is one tip that I have to remind my wife with when looking for new houses!

My wife Donna wears her heart on her sleeve and oneday when we were looking at a house we went in withthe Estate Agent and as soon as we walked into thelounge she shouted "My gosh Seany, I can't believe thefirst house we have set our eyes on will be the one forus - I love it, I love it - I want it!"

Needless to say the Estate Agent was licking his lips! Thus the other party knew we had limited other optionsand duly when we put in the offers they were all rejectedbecause both the vendor and the Estate Agent knewhow much Donna wanted the property and that we hadno other options. It was only when I called them up and said we were lookingat some other houses and for them "Not to call me again,I will call them if we are interested" that they started to be reasonable.

To cut a long story short, the vendor saw a property that heloved, a new build which meant he had to move fast becausehe would lose his plot. (Bad choice! Why? Because he hadno other options and he told me so!) So the Estate Agent called me up and said the vendor waswilling to accept the first offer we had ever made becausehe JUST HAD to move in within 28 days or lose the plot hewanted. I offered him my original price minus a further couple of grandbecause I now knew that I had the power.

Guess what?

He accepted. :-)

LEARN THIS LESSON - Make sure you have options when goinginto any negotiation and make sure the other party know that.

TIP # 2 HOW TO REJECT A PROPOSAL Someone has made you an offer or put a deal on thetable that you don't like and want to reject. What do you say? Say this... "I'm sorry, you'll have to do better than that" then do notsay a word. Even if it is for 1 minute, 2 minutes, 1 hour! The next person to speak will make a concession. It may feel uncomfortable doing this but it works. If you are on the other end of this and you have made aproposal or offer that has been rejected say: "How much better do we have to do?

LEARN THIS LESSON - Be comfortable with silence!

TIP # 3 MAKE SURE YOU NEVER OFFER TO SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE You have a price or offer in mind and so do they. You will most likely come out with a compromise butmake sure that the other party comes out with the suggestion. The party that makes the suggestion loses the powerof the negotiation.

How do you get the other party to make an alternativesuggestion? Say this... "I think we are not a million miles away on this. I am surewe can reach and agree on some middle ground with regardsto this" then be quiet! Never offer to split the difference because they could get youto split the difference again! When they have offered to split the difference you can getthem to split the difference again or you can "reluctantly accept"

LEARN THIS LESSON - Do not give away your power

TIP # 4 SHOW THEM THAT YOU ARE NOT HAPPY Forget about all of this maloney about having a Poker Facewhen negotiating. Instead, when anyone makes you an offer or a asks youfor a consession that you do not agree with make surethat it is written across your face immediately. If you do not do this they might feel that they have a chanceand will persue it further. This is very important. Body language gives great signals without anything havingto be said!

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED - Show the other party that you are shocked and surprised and it will do your case wonders