04/25/2026
💰 Let’s Talk Seller Credits (aka: how to keep more money in YOUR pocket at closing)
A lot of buyers don’t realize this… but you don’t always have to come out of pocket for all of your closing costs 👀
That’s where seller credits come in.
🏡 What is a seller credit?
A seller credit is when the seller agrees to pay a portion of the buyer’s closing costs.
This can cover things like:
* Loan fees
* Title & settlement costs
* Prepaid taxes/insurance
* Discount points (to lower your interest rate)
👉 It does NOT go toward your down payment — only closing costs.
📍 Where is this negotiated?
This is negotiated in your initial offer — specifically in the purchase agreement.
When I submit an offer for a client, I can include a term like:
“Seller to pay $X toward buyer’s closing costs.”
💡 That number isn’t random — it’s strategic:
* Based on your loan type (FHA, Conventional, VA all have limits)
* Based on how competitive the property is
* Based on inspection expectations and leverage
🔑 When ELSE can you negotiate credits?
You get a second bite at the apple during the inspection period 🛠️
If issues come up, instead of asking the seller to fix everything, you can request:
➡️ A repair credit at closing
This is often:
✔️ Faster
✔️ Cleaner (no waiting on repairs)
✔️ More flexible for the buyer
⚠️ Pro tip most people miss:
Seller credits are often “baked into” your offer price.
Example:
Offer $300K with $10K in seller credits
vs.
Offer $290K with no credits
👉 Same net to the seller… but very different cash needed from YOU at closing.
🎯 Bottom line:
Seller credits are one of the most powerful negotiation tools in a deal — but only if you know when and how to use them.
That’s where strategy matters.
If you’re thinking about buying and want to structure your offer the right way (especially in this market)…
📩 DM me “CREDITS” and I’ll break down what you could realistically ask for.
