Write it up! 

It depends on the situation, i.e., the condition of the property, etc. If I believe it will be counter-productive, I may not convey that aggressive behavior. My task is to secure the property for my client at an acceptable price and terms. There is no need for these Negotiation 101 ploys.

sometimes they mean it and sometimes they don't. Ultimately it is their right to lose a house......

If a buyer instructs me to say an offer is their best and final, I'll do it, but it's usually not their best and final.  They want to use it as a negotiating tactic.  I don't think it's usually useful, but it can be depending on the audience.

I received an offer on a listing where it said the offer price was the offeror's "Best and final".  We countered and got them up about 50k, which was about 10% of the list price.

Best and final is a common practice here, especially with multiple offers.  I recently used this wording with buyers I represented and with an offer on their property.  Works well.

1) i have heard that before. and said that before. and yogi did say that. "til" its over. if in fact it is, then better to say it. if it changes later...then i guess it aint over til later. :)

Jeff - It is our responsibility to do what our buyer wants. Hopefully it will get accepted.

However, just because they tell you it is their best and final, doesn't mean if it is not accepted, or the seller counters, that the deal is dead.

Let's write it up.  

As Yogi once said, it aint over til its over.

I say let's write it up! They can accept it or we'll move on, correct? Everyone reaches a limit at some point.

I type in the number and have them sign it.  I never tell it's best and final unless the seller has requested hightest and best in multiples.

Personally I have worked w/ many Buyers and Sellers who know their bottom line and I prefer taking their best and final counter offer back to cut to the chase instead of a long back and fourth scenario.

Hi Jeff -- 

I don't see that question asked by buyers as part of their offer but it may be relayed to the agent in conversation.

We often see that language in counter offers.

Jeff Dowler CRS I would say submit it and let's see what the seller says.

If I am represent the buyer, I say nothing. The sellers agent has the voice in this situation. Silence is a good response that I can hear well.

If I am representing the seller, I prove that is not their best and final. They WILL pay more.

Laying down ultimatums rarely work. Negotiation with skill does.

In a win-win situation, it's best to approach negotiations with at least some room to give and take. But if that's all you've got, then that's all you've got.

Good morning Jeff. This may not be a very wise strategy, but if it is a requirement of the buyer, you can't very well not repeat the information.

Make sure they mean it and are ready to walk away.

Submit the offer and be ready to move on to the next one.

This happens all the time and my response is pretty much the same.  "We don't need to put that in your counter offer, I'll let the agent know that it's your final offer."  I also let them know that sellers say this all the time as well but it's not over until someone stop countering or an offer is accepted.

I think "best & final" is a good thing to use....if it's really the best and final.

I know if I were negotiating & someone told me "best and final" then continued to negotiate down their position, I'd take full advantage.