This spring is different from last spring here in the Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, NC area.  There is more buyer interest.  There are less homes on the market and I see homes beginning to sell faster.  If you are a buyer’s agent, you need to prepare your buyers for the negotiation process.  Sellers will not always jump at the first offer gratefully.  I have had a lot more of the deals that I am working on require more up front negotiation than just a year ago.  As an agent, you must be able to negotiate and communicate clearly with your clients.  Make sure that you help them, whether they are the buyer or seller, establish more realistic goals in their negotiation.  Sometimes you have to remind them of what is important.  The end goal is to get the home your buyer wants or the price your seller wants.