Methods and apparatus for negotiating bearer control parameters using property sets. A property set is a specific set of default parameters or “properties” to be used for a given bearer channel type in an integrated node. Property set information can be passed between integrated nodes (301, 302) in a multimedia packet network (305). In many cases, a parameter negotiation can be completed quickly after the originating node sends a setup message including a list of one or more property sets and one or more requested parameters. In all cases, the bearer type and bearer parameters are determined based on capabilities of the originating and terminating nodes. The invention provides a way for existing signaling links using bearer independent call control (BICC), or session initiation protocol (SIP), or H.245, or similar protocols with a way to negotiate more bearer types and parameters without significantly increasing the bandwidth needed for the negotiation, or requiring nodes to be provisioned.