In this personal case study, I recount an attempted apartment purchase that appeared perfect on paper but collapsed at the last moment. Through the experience, I unpack how negotiations around real estate are rarely about numbers alone and far more about psychology, incentives, and timing. The story traces my mistakes — focusing too much on the physical property and not enough on the person selling it — and the lessons that followed. Ultimately, this case explains how I changed my approach — asking better questions earlier, reading people more carefully, and removing key leverage from the negotiation before it can be used against me.
When Sellers Walk Away
Case example$14.90
This case study explores a failed apartment purchase that became a turning point in my understanding of negotiation. What looked like a textbook investment unraveled due to shifting stories, hidden incentives, and human behavior. It reveals how sellers use pressure tactics — and how asking the right questions early can fundamentally change your negotiating position.
