Negotiating a real estate deal isn’t just about getting the lowest price.

In this solo episode of The Co-Living Show, Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop break down the SCALE Framework, the negotiation process they use to structure deals that work for both the buyer and the seller.

They walk through how to understand seller motivation, create valuable terms beyond purchase price, use new information from inspections and due diligence to renegotiate, establish your limits before emotions take over, and ultimately engineer a win-win deal.

You’ll also hear real examples from deals they’ve negotiated, including seller financing, subject-to financing, inspection credits, flexible closing timelines, renovation considerations, and knowing when it’s better to simply walk away.

The SCALE Framework:

S — Study the Seller
Understand why they’re selling, what they actually need, and which terms matter most to them.

C — Create Valuable Terms
Look beyond price and negotiate things like seller credits, closing dates, financing terms, repairs, furnishings, and flexibility.

A — Analyze New Information
Use inspections, contractor estimates, sewer scopes, roof evaluations, and other due diligence findings to strengthen your negotiation.

L — Lock In Your Limits
Know your investment criteria before entering the negotiation and don’t let FOMO convince you to buy a deal that no longer works.

E — Engineer a Win-Win
Structure the final agreement so both sides can walk away feeling like the deal accomplished what they needed.

Whether you’re buying your first rental property or actively scaling a co-living portfolio, this framework can help you negotiate with more confidence, discipline, and creativity.

Follow the hosts:

Miller McSwain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/

Craig Curelop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/

Learn more about HomeCrew:
https://homecrew.co/landlords