Although real estate agents often make suggestions and recommendations regarding the terms of a contract, it is ultimately the buyer and seller who determine the agreement. The “negotiation” is done by the prospective buyer making an “offer” to the seller. The seller either agrees to the proposed terms or suggests changes by making a “counteroffer”. This, in turn, is either accepted or “countered” by the buyer, and so on. In the case of a particularly complex or difficult transaction, it is often beneficial to have an attorney handle the negotiation of the contract.