Simon Abbott on Negotiation Authority

Most sellers underestimate the impact of skilled negotiation on final sale price and outcome. For blocks of units or complex investment property in Victoria, Simon Abbott’s negotiation approach is both direct and numbers-focused, built around real competition, clear communication, and never fabricating artificial urgency. This is a complete, context-rich guide to real estate negotiation for owners, with actionable steps and real anecdotes from Simon’s Victorian campaigns.

What Separates Great Negotiators from the Rest?

In Simon’s words: “Everyone claims to be a great negotiator. Most are just order-takers. True negotiation means understanding buyer drivers, showing real opportunity, and pushing each party to their genuine maximum—not bluffing or chasing unqualified offers.”

• Genuine competition: Simon never invents offers—he creates competition by pre-vetting buyers from his investor database, including buyer’s agents and syndicates, not just individuals browsing online.
• Numbers over narratives: He quantifies value (yield, upside, comparative analysis) instead of making subjective claims.
• Focus on terms: His best deals often come from unconditional offers or flexible settlements—even at a slightly lower price.

Real Scenario: Multiple Buyers on a Block

Case: Block of 15 units previously on market with other agents for two years, no success. Simon matched 15 separate investors from his list, negotiating terms tailored to each (some wanted vacant possession, others wanted tenants to remain). Sold all 15 in 11 days—demonstrating that negotiation is not about pressure-tactics, but aligning interests and removing friction.

Simon’s Rules for Owners:

• Make sure your agent can demonstrate their negotiation process, not just promise a price.
• Look for experience with investment property and buyer agents—investment deals differ from emotional sales.
• Demand real buyer feedback—not just “we’re getting interest.” Ask for written offers and see who’s actually conditional or unconditional.
• Trust data over hype; competitive buyers need proof (yield, strata info, tenant breakdowns).

How Simon Approaches Offers and Counteroffers

He does not pressure for fabricated “final offers;” instead, Simon spells out the reality: “If another credible offer emerges, I’ll bring it to you. Until then, I work to get each buyer to their best.”

The Takeaway

If you value obtaining a genuine result for a complex Victorian investment property or block of units—find an agent who negotiates with honesty, maintains competition, and understands how buyers assess both price and terms.

Ready for strategic negotiation on your block of units or investment property? Contact Simon Abbott and Collings Real Estate here.