Episode 511: Negotiation Skills That Make or Break Deals with Tom Zeeb

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by negotiation expert Tom Zeeb, and we’re diving straight into the skills that make or break deals. From his near-death experience in 2001 to closing hundreds of transactions, Tom shares the real-world tools and mindset shifts that helped him go from broke to building financial freedom through real estate.   We talk about the art of negotiation, how to create true confidence on calls, and the three simple tactics that can instantly transform your seller conversations.    If you’ve ever felt stuck, unclear, or hesitant when speaking with sellers—this episode gives you the exact language, mindset, and structure to flip the script and close more deals.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 02:28 Moving from DC to Florida and pivoting his investing focus 04:12 Negotiation as the core of every successful real estate strategy 05:30 Tom’s 5-part STACK negotiation framework: starting with Confidence 07:12 Top 3 negotiation techniques that can get you more deals 15:02 Practicing negotiation skills through Craigslist ads and call critiques 16:49 Overcoming dips in business: the mindset piece 18:13 Pivoting without abandoning your foundation 19:48 The value of mentorship and coaching during tough seasons 21:09 Mental blocks, entrepreneurial ADD, and navigating risk 22:26 How to learn more from Tom 23:49 The two most important levers: marketing and negotiation   Quotables   “Negotiation is the middle piece of every real estate deal—without it, you have nothing.”   “Confidence changes everything. People can smell hesitation, and they’ll run.”   “Don’t pivot and abandon everything. Tweak your model. Make it stronger.”   Links   Tom Zeeb https://tomzeeb.com   Traction Real Estate Mentors https://tractionrealestatementors.com/guides   Episode 157: From “Broke as a Joke” to Thriving Investor and Mentor https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcasts/family-cast-07/   QLS Live https://qlslive.com   Real Estate On Your Terms and Deal Structure Overtime https://wickedsmartbooks.com/podcast   FREE Master’s Class http://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   FREE Strategy Session with Chris Pre http://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   QLS 4.0 https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qlspodcast   Investor Resources https://smartrealestatecoach.com/resources   Apprentice Program https://smartrealestatecoach.com/apprenticepodcast   In the Trenches Bootcamp https://smartrealestatecoach.com/ittbpodcast   3 Paydays Virtual Event https://smartrealestatecoach.com/3paydayspodcast   REI Blackbook https://smartrealestatecoach.com/REIBB-pod   7 Figures Funding https://smartrealestatecoach.com/7figures-pod   Land Voice https://smartrealestatecoach.com/landvoice-pod