When prepared to negotiate, I would imagine one would want to be in the comfort of their own office. However, a sudden negotiation could happen anywhere and the main goal is for both parties to keep it professional. 

I think a private office would be best, but certainly not in a public place. I suppose it depends on what the negotiation is about

That all depends on what we're negotiating.  With colleagues, it tends to be over the phone or via email.  With my own clients, if we're looking at an offer, I like to do it in my office, if at all possible.

Agents, I prefer phone, customers I prefer in person not in public

actually by email so there is a paper trail and they can't say, I didn't say that.

I'm going to do a post about this, but regardless of where the meeting takes place with an obnoxious person, I need to be located as deeply as possible within myself.  Root down deep into your truest self, where you and the Infinite are one.  Speak to them from that place.

It's a place of unruffled, fully present, alert and high integrity, where bullies can't knock us off-balance.

In my office, always best to be where we can be comfortable, in control with all of our resources around us.

My office. It's my territory, my chair, my desk. I get to boss people around (LOL). I'm in charge. I rule.

(I can even kick their as*** out if I want to).

I don't negotiate with difficult people - I wait until they are reasonable

It depends, i get to learn the person, some times email is better as you do not want to hear their shouting, but sometimes face to face quiets those only brave on line. 

Fred Griffin - most likely via email! I do not like someone screaming at me - and I do not want to lose my 'cool'!

If it's a client, and they are in town, at their home.  If it's a client who is not in town, over the phone.  A broker would be at their office, and so would a lender Fred Griffin.  I could not ever see meeting over lunch, as to me this is serious, and business, not casual, and fun.  And if someone was that difficult, I probably couldn't eat, either.

I agree with the consensus - depends on what you are negotiating

I was going to ask what you're negotiating - trying to convince your seller, another agent or your buyer?  If it's my seller and I think it's going to be difficult, I will ask to come to their home.

This so much depends on the situation.  I usually think that  a direct meeting makes more sense in a difficult situation where you can actually see each other and talk face to face. But sometimes this is not possible. In this situation, at least a phone call works better than email which works better than text message.

It does not matter as long as it is face to face

A client? I'm good at their home or the office.  Another agent usually on the phone or email.  

I like the phone for agents and in person for clients. I'm all for a paper trail, but find that actually talking to someone - regardless of how unpleasant the conversation - is a necessary first step. The written word often looks worst as you can't see a tone of voice and the words can be taken the wrong way. 

Phone works.

Anywhere... except a public place.  Whatever the other party chooses is fine with me.

Hi Fred - Unless they're very unpleasant and obnoxious, I prefer face-to-face in a neutral setting (and maybe a xanax).

Where ever I can get them!  Sometimes at the property, other times over the phone.

when I was actively listing property, I wanted it done in my office... I'd call the seller and make an appointment....of course, I'd say the offer was on it's way and it would be here when they were here.... I already had it in hand but was not going to be interrogated over the phone....

Better face to face in a public place

Fred Griffin On my turf! Control of the situation always has the upper hand in negotiations.

It depends upon the situation and who I am negotiating with.

I refuse to buy lunch for a difficult person.  Email sounds good and you have the ability to check back.

It depends on who I am negotiating with and what the situation is. Most likely a phone discussion followed up by an email documenting the discussion.

Anywhere but their chosen ground is what I learned...

Good question and thankfully one I haven't had to deal with this situation very often. I would say my office, because if the discussion goes south I can go back to work in friendly surroundings.

email

In my office would be my preference.

Neutral ground only.

I would prefer my office. If not--let's do it.

It depends.

Face to face, eyeball to eyeball, there is no other way

In person

I would prefer to meet in an office conference room.

More often than not, it's via phone confirmed via email. And that includes clients and other brokers. 

It depends on the situation.   Face-to-face when possible.  

My first choice is F2F. But it is often not possible, so phone or skype/facetime is the second. 

Lunch at a neutral location works for me...

It depends on the specific situation.

Most successes have happened at their "Club" whether yacht, golf or social. The tendency for them to be on the best behavior precludes any outburst or unfavorable attention.

Fred,

I agree with Patricia Kennedy .  A

It is all just as bad Fred. Every medium does not offer any advantage.