WORDS I LIKE — The best move is usually the one nobody's asking for.
Most buyers walk into a negotiation focused on one thing.
Get the price down.
It makes sense. A lower price feels like a win. It's easy to explain. It shows up on paper.
But here's what most buyers don't know:
A $10,000 price reduction saves roughly $50 a month on a 30-year mortgage.
A $10,000 seller credit — used to buy down your interest rate — can save $100–$150 a month.
Same $10,000. Very different outcome.
Here's The Part Most People Miss
A seller credit is money the seller contributes at closing. It can go toward buying down your rate, covering closing costs, or reducing what you need to bring to the table.
The market right now has more seller flexibility than most buyers realize — just not always on price. That flexibility often lives in credits.
Most buyers never ask for it. Most agents don't lead with it.
The ones who do close with a better payment, more cash in hand, and a lot less stress.
THIS WEEK'S TAKEAWAY
A lower price and a lower payment aren't always the same negotiation.
Know the difference before you make an offer.
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PS
Want a side-by-side showing what a $10,000 price drop vs. a $10,000 seller credit does to your payment? Reply "compare" and I'll run it.
If you want the next one:
No spam. No sales pitches. Just clarity.
— Neil Christiansen, Certified Mortgage Advisor
