BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Home ownership is a dream for many Americans, but the enormous price of houses in the current market means that purchasing one can be a difficult endeavor. Luckily, with enough proper negotiation, one can end up paying less than they would expect — but have North Dakotans seen the same success in home haggling as other states? In a recent survey, researchers with Agent Advice asked 3,000 homeowners from across the nation how much they managed to deduct from the final sale of their most recent property purchase. According to the responses, the average North Dakota home buyer is successfully able to attain a discount rate of $2,480, which results in an overall 1% decline from the typical home price of $248,022. While this number is by no means small when one considers the price of a home, it is the lowest amount of money and percentage saved anywhere in the nation during the purchasing process — a far cry from Alabama's savvy negotiators, who managed to cut 4.3% off of their final sale values. Outside of savings amounts, the study also made note of the many different conditions and aspects of buying homes that contribute to the negotiation process — the least of which is the ever-changing nature of the real estate industry. 23% of the polled homeowners stated that the constant swings between buyer's and seller's markets were fairly important in helping them lower their purchasing price. The quality of the house was another incredibly useful too, as 30% of respondents cited its condition as another influential factor. Are North Dakotans experiencing ‘Fast Food Fatigue’? Another key aspect of home price negotiation is an excellent sense of timing, and naturally, many survey respondents state that choosing the right time to discuss pricing is essential. The ideal moment, however, varies between individuals. While 39% of the surveyed owners begin during initial conversations with a seller or agent, a separate 31% instead choose to wait until after a home inspection. On the riskier side of things, 17% mention that they begin negotiations during appraisals, and 14% will save their attempts until the final contract signing. Even taking these individual times and markets into account, at the end of the day, many believe that the power of one's personality is the most important part of sealing a deal, as 20% of polled buyers cited their conversation skills as the main reason they were successfully able to save. In some cases, these individuals are even willing to change their usual tactics to secure a lower price — 16% of respondents state they were forced to take a more aggressive approach due to other buyers, and another 10% say that a listing agent's pricing strategy had a role in their ability to negotiate. This, of course, is not to say that the process of home buying is without problems. Over half of the poll's respondents, 54%, stated that they had previously walked away from a purchase entirely because its seller refused to negotiate — and while 73% of these homeowners were able to keep the dispute civil, 28% also described their experience as a 'war of attrition' that tested their patience. 43% of the polled population even admit they considered backing out from a deal entirely because of the stress involved with such a decision. Unfortunately, the concept of price discussions is not limited to these tests of patience. This is especially the case when both sides of the deal are not fully involved: 36% of respondents recall that a seller or agent disappeared without explanation while they attempted to buy a home. Worst of all, 37% of the buyers also state that they suspect their seller or agent of being underhanded during the negotiation process — which suggests that proper negotiation is even more important to maintain equal footing. “Negotiating the purchase of a home is not just about getting the best deal," says Agent Advice spokesperson Jim Gray. "It's about understanding the dynamics at play and being ready to adapt to different situations. Our survey highlights how a combination of market knowledge, timing, and personal negotiation skills can lead to significant savings.” To view the full study — including a detailed infographic showing how much the residents of each state have saved when buying their newest home — visit this page on AgentAdvice's website. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW