Seller Concessions: A Smart Strategy To Get Your House Sold

For the past few years, it’s been mostly a seller’s market. But dynamics are shifting as the number of homes for sale grows. And that means that the market is balancing out a bit. As a result, some sellers are finding they need to be more flexible to close a deal. One strategy that can help? Offering concessions.

As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“As home inventory begins to grow and buyers regain some advantage in the market, sellers may consider offering more in negotiations to make the deal more attractive and get to the closing table.”

What Are Seller Concessions?

Concessions are homebuying costs that a seller agrees to cover as a way to get their house sold. And based on data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nearly 1 out of every 4 sellers (24%) offered a concession in 2024. Here are a few of the most common types of concessions:

Covering Closing Costs: The seller pays for part (or all) of the buyer’s closing costs, like appraisal fees, title insurance, or loan fees.

Price Adjustments: Instead of making repairs, a seller might lower the purchase price to make up for updates the buyer will need to tackle.

Adding a Home Warranty: A seller may throw in a home warranty, giving the buyer peace of mind key repairs will be covered in the first year.

And don’t worry. This doesn’t mean you have to come up with more cash to make it happen. These are things that get subtracted from your profits at closing – not more funds you have to bring to the table. And not all concessions are about money.

There are other extras you could throw in. Like, if your buyer is coming from an apartment and has never had a yard before, they may ask if you’d be willing to leave your lawn mower behind. That’s another lever you could pull to keep them happy.

How Concessions Help Sellers

Offering concessions can be a smart strategy for sellers to get a deal done. As Dennis Shirshikov, Professor of Finance and Economics, City University of New York/Queens College told The Mortgage Reports:

“Pricing homes realistically and being willing to offer concessions, such as covering a portion of closing costs or including upgrades, will be key to closing deals . . . in a less frenzied market.”

For example, let’s say you accepted an offer from a buyer, but after their inspection, you found out there are some repairs they want you to tackle before you hand over the keys.

Rather than starting at square one and searching for a new buyer, you could offer a concession. One option is you can take on the repairs and cover the costs yourself. But, if you really don’t want the hassle of dealing with contractors, you could reduce your price by however much repairs would cost. Alternatively, you could offer to pay a portion of your buyer’s closing expenses with the idea they’d use the money they saved at closing toward doing the repairs themselves.

Either way, a concession can be a great way to meet in the middle. However, it’s important to have an agent on your side to help with these negotiations.

A good real estate agent can help you decide when and how to offer concessions, so you don’t give away too much while still ensuring your house gets sold. It’s all about finding the right balance.

Bottom Line

With the market becoming more balanced, seller concessions are coming back into play in some areas. The key is having an agent to help guide you through the process, so things work out in your favor.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

Related Links

• 12 Romantic Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day at Home

• Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers

• Found a Buyer on Your Own? Here’s Why You Still Need an Agent

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Here’s What the Privatization of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac May Mean for Homebuyers and Investors

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — the two giant mortgage finance firms controlled by the federal government for nearly 17 years — could be sold off into the private sector.

During President Donald Trump’s first term, the White House attempted to release the Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, known as Freddie Mac, into the private market. It didn’t materialize because of the complexity, according to experts.

While Trump hasn’t talked about the idea to sell off the government’s shares into the private market, the topic is bubbling up now in Trump’s second term. It could lead to higher mortgage rates and risk for investors, experts warn.

In January, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Treasury Department agreed to amend the senior preferred stock purchase agreements between the Treasury and and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, each government-sponsored enterprises, to ensure their eventual release from conservatorship.

Experts are torn about how the release of the GSEs will be handled, when it will happen and if the government will continue to somewhat oversee the mortgage giants after-the-fact.

Ultimately, the release from the government-backing for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s will come down to what Trump prioritizes during his second term. And even then, there could be drawbacks, experts say.

“It really ultimately depends on what President Trump wants to do or not do,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics.

“Even then though, I think they’ll be repelled from actually getting it done because the economics will become apparent that this makes no sense,” Zandi added.

Here’s what to know.

What the release could mean for homebuyers, investors

The potential impact will depend on the extent of the government’s support after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are released, according to Andy Winkler, director of housing and infrastructure projects at the Bipartisan Policy Center.

The Trump administration’s ability to navigate logistical, legal and economic hurdles will also be a factor, experts say.

But “a lot could go wrong,” said Susan Wachter, professor of real estate and professor of finance at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

If not done well, mortgage rates could potentially climb higher, experts say. Zandi believes “it’s just a question of how much higher” rates would be.

If you invest in mortgage-backed securities or in Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac’s secured debt, the end of the conservatorship could bring on more risk, Zandi said.

“Therefore you will demand a higher interest rate to compensate for that risk, and therefore mortgage rates will be higher as well,” Zandi said.

Of course, higher rates means higher borrowing costs for mortgages.

While more people bought their homes in all-cash payments in 2024, most Americans still rely on mortgages to buy properties.

According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, about 26% of homebuyers in the U.S. paid all-cash in 2024, a new high for the segment. To compare, the last record increase was 22% in 2022, up 9% from 2021, per data provided to CNBC.

However, roughly 74% of buyers financed their home purchase in 2024, NAR found. That’s down from 80% a year prior.

In Zandi’s view, any release scenario could affect all parties involved – except potentially Fannie and Freddie shareholders.

“They’re going to make money on the shares they own … That’s why they’re pushing for it,” he said.

Why Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are essential

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy existing home loans from mortgage lenders. The companies either keep or sell the loans as mortgage-backed securities to investors, creating a system where mortgage lenders have enough capital to continue offering loans.

“The 30-year fixed rate mortgage might not exist without them,” said Bipartisan Policy Center’s Winkler.

The two companies support around 70% of the mortgage market and remain vital to the housing system in the U.S., according to NAR.

The two were created by Congress in order to make homeownership accessible and make the 30-year fixed rate mortgage “the bread and butter” of the U.S., Zandi said.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under a conservatorship with the FHFA since 2008, after the mortgage giants nearly collapsed during the financial crisis. The agreement was done to help the two government-sponsored enterprises recover from the housing market crash.

The Department of the Treasury has financially supported the two companies through senior preferred stock purchase agreements, or SPSPAs, helping them remain solvent.

The mortgages that were being created leading up to the financial crisis were complex, risky, and untraced, Wachter said. The risk was able to build up overtime.

To be sure, such risky loans were coming from the private sector’s private label mortgage-backed securities, she said. When the market imploded, causing trillions of dollars worth of lending to evaporate within a year, the GSEs were caught in the crossfires.

“The private-label mortgage-backed securities, risky loans, brought on the crisis, but every mortgage player was hit,” Wachter said.

With Fannie and Freddie being the two largest mortgage institutions, the government intervened and bailed the enterprises in 2008 to avoid further damage to the housing market.

Fannie and Freddie became explicitly backed by the government and steps were taken to de-risk them as well as limit the exposure to taxpayers under the conservatorship, Winkler said.

Under government control, the GSEs don’t operate as fully private companies: they have limited ability to retain profits, strict oversight and a primary goal to maintain the housing market stable over maximizing profits, he said.

What are the odds of the conservatorship ending?

While Trump himself has yet to mention the conservatorship, others are talking about it.

Scott Turner, the new secretary of Housing and Urban Development, mentioned in an interview published on Feb. 5 with the Wall Street Journal that making the effort to release Fannie and Freddie would be a priority.

Pershing Square CEO Bill Ackman posted on X in December that “a successful emergence from Fannie and Freddie should generate $300 billion of additional profits to the government” while removing about $8 trillion of liabilities from the government’s balance sheet.

Even if the administration prioritizes the conservatorship, the process itself could take years to complete, experts say.

“It’s not something you can do with one signature on one agreement,” Wachter said. The process involves multiple parties, including the Treasury, the Department of Justice, FHFA and shareholders in the private sector.

However, if “based on the economics of it all, there should be no chance that they get released administratively,” Zandi said. “It doesn’t make any economic sense.”

“A release is a lose-lose for taxpayers, homebuyers, the housing market, the economy, everybody is worse off than the status quo.” Zandi said. “What problem are we trying to fix?”

Read more at CNBC

Related Links

• 12 Romantic Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day at Home

• Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers

• Found a Buyer on Your Own? Here’s Why You Still Need an Agent

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Found a Buyer on Your Own? Here’s Why You Still Need an Agent

So you’re ready to sell your house — but before you even get a chance to snap listing photos and put it on the market, a buyer comes along and makes an offer.

Congratulations, you just cut out many steps of the home-selling process—showings, open houses, and haggling over price.

But keep in mind, you still need an agent. Why? Well, though it might seem like a straightforward transaction between a seller and buyer once an offer is accepted, it is usually not all that simple. You still have a marathon to finish before getting to the closing table.

Which means you’ll still need to pay that agent commissions. But don’t worry, it will be worth the money. We’ve broken down the home-selling process into steps to see what an agent could help you with.

Selling agent commissions explained, if you find the buyer yourself

Neither federal nor state laws govern commission rates, which means commissions are fully negotiable.

“And negotiating the commission is between you and your agent,” says Jackie Davis, a real estate professional with American Realty in Inverness, FL.

To crunch some general numbers, if a home sells for $250,000 at a 6% commission, the seller’s agent would get $15,000. However, keep in mind commission rates usually vary depending on the state you live in and among brokerages.

Always talk with several agents about your particular home-selling needs.

“And find out if and how they would want to handle the sale to a buyer found by the seller,” says Sylvia Jonathan, an agent at Coldwell Banker Platinum Properties in Irvine, CA.

Verbal offers in real estate

In this scenario, a buyer made you an offer and you accepted. However, it’s time to take a step back: Keep in mind, verbal offers are not legally binding in real estate transactions.

Agents usually supply a variety of forms such as residential purchase agreements to get offers in writing. These forms vary to conform to state and local laws and eventually become a binding sales contract. The forms are also known as a purchase agreement, an earnest money agreement, or a deposit receipt. It’s also essential that an offer contain every element needed to serve as a blueprint for the final sale.

An agent can also handle a buyer’s earnest money—usually 1% to 2% of the home’s purchase price—by depositing it in an escrow account held by a third party such as a real estate closing company, an attorney, or a title company agent. Remember, escrow protects sellers. You get to keep that money if a buyer bails on a transaction that’s underway.

The terms of the sale and contingencies need to be handled by an agent

“While it may seem the hard part is over if a seller found a buyer on their own, many obstacles can occur during the contract period that will require an agent’s skill to keep the deal together,” says Jonathan.

For instance, an agent will ask if you and your buyer agree on not just the sales price but also the terms of the sale.

Terms within a purchase agreement include basic information such as the names of the parties involved, the legal description of the property to be transferred, and the agreed-upon price. But terms also list crucial details such as what personal property will be included in the sale (e.g., appliances or fixtures). Leaving any terms of sale out of the purchase agreement can come back to haunt the buyer, the seller, or both.

An agent will also ensure contingencies are added to your contract. Standard contingencies include a buyer securing financing, a home inspection, repairs, and an appraisal—which is crucial to the mortgage process.

Closing costs and how an agent can help

Remember, you need multiple legal documents for the closing, including a clean title. This step is usually done by an attorney, who collects a fee at the closing.

But a real estate agent typically handles getting to the actual closing table by setting a date, coordinating everyone’s schedule, and ensuring all the needed paperwork (which is usually a mound of documents) is ready and correctly signed.

The bottom line

“If a real estate professional can assist you, their compensation is a matter of negotiation between you and the agent,” says Phil Lunnon, a real estate professional with Lunnon Realty in Lakewood, CO.

But hiring an agent to write the offer and guide it toward the closing table is a smart move.

Read more at Realtor.com

Related Links

• 12 Romantic Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day at Home

• Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers

• Single Women Own 2.72 Million More Homes Than Single Men In US — And The Gap Is Growing. Here's What It Means

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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12 Romantic Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day at Home

If an expensive dinner at a crowded restaurant leaves you exhausted on Valentine's Day, it might be time to try something less high-profile. Fortunately, planning a Valentine's Day celebration at home can be just as romantic—if not more romantic—because you can set the scene to your preferences.

Whether it's a candlelit dinner, curated music, or a fun game night, spending Valentine's Day at home can be a luxury—even if kids are home. Try these romantic ideas to make your at-home date extraordinary and special.

Make Plans for the Kids

Before you do any other planning for Valentine's Day at home, make sure you can carve out some alone time. If you have young kids, make plans for them—at home or with a sitter. If you keep the kids at home, you'll have to be a little more creative.

Serve them dinner early and separately. Have a little fun setting up their own "restaurant" with a kid-friendly menu and play money or credit cards so they can pay their bill and tip the server. After the kids eat, one of you can take care of bedtime duties while the other preps for the rest of the celebration.

Decorate Your Space

Think about how your favorite eateries create ambiance and work the same magic at home with Valentine's Day decor. If you're sharing a meal, use your best dishes, clear away anything that's not-so-romantic (bye-bye laptop), and create a stellar tablescape.

Flowers can be pricey around Valentine's Day, so skip the roses and use plenty of votive candles (flameless candles are a safe option). Add a table runner and some potted herbs or succulents for a touch of green.

You don't have to eat in your dining room, either. Consider creating a cozy spot in the living room with cushions near the coffee table, plan an indoor picnic, or even serve dessert on trays in bed.

Prepare a Special Meal

If you or your partner like to cook, go all out with a multi-course Valentine's Day dinner. Or put a twist on it—maybe you want to make it a night of quick appetizers or serve a slew of aphrodisiacs in your feast.

Or, instead of a full dinner, indulge in a dessert-only menu for your at-home date. Whether you serve a few store-bought treats or decide to bake a few mini Valentine's desserts, the important thing is to savor the flavors throughout the night.

If you're both early birds, celebrate Valentine's Day with a delicious breakfast in bed. You can try a breakfast casserole recipe or make ahead a slow cooker breakfast that will be ready when you wake up. Add some fresh-squeezed juice or a morning cocktail to complete your celebration.

Mix Up Specialty Cocktails

Indulge in a few favorite drinks by mixing your own cocktails or mocktails. Try a Valentine's cocktail or a classic cocktail recipe. You could even narrow it down to a wine-tasting or around-the-world beer tour. Find flavors you and your partner will enjoy. This V-Day activity can be enjoyed on its own, or it can be the backdrop for other plans at home. A little extra thought here will go a long way.

Play Some Music and Dance Without Phones

Create a soundtrack for your Valentine's Day at home. You can put together a list of all your sentimental favorites or pull a romantic playlist from Spotify, Pandora, or another streaming service. (And since you're in your own space, slow dancing between courses is suggested.)

Dancing together is a top-notch way to add intimacy to your date night at home. While you can curate a romantic playlist with a few of your favorites, you can also try an energetic dance game, dance workout, or even challenge each other to a dance battle. Explore videos and music on your favorite platform to help your dance night be successful.

Plan Light-Hearted Activities

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to mix it up if your date nights at home are getting a little dull. Consider splurging on a date night kit, which will surprise you with themed boxes of activities, playlists, and treats that suit your interests. Or try something new, like an online cooking class or other activity you'll both enjoy.

For an educational at-home date, try visiting a museum or art gallery right from the comfort of your home. Many venues offer virtual experiences or tours—even the Louvre Museum.

For a few laughs, try some friendly competition with a couple's game night. Bring out childhood favorites or try a new-to-you board game. You can even challenge yourselves to a few video games if that's more your style.

Break a Sweat and Then Relax

Working up a sweat together by getting active or exercising can be a unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day. You'll burn calories and boost up endorphins. Try an online yoga class or YouTube workout, or get outside for a friendly soccer game.

After you're hot and sweaty, take a bath together, but not before you create an at-home spa experience. Fill your tub with scented essential oils, light a few candles, and relax with a warm bath. Then, give each other a well-deserved massage or take care of your skin with a body scrub.

Watch Romantic Movies by the Fire

If snuggling up on the couch is your speed, plan a Valentine's Day movie marathon (which you can do after you do any of the above activities). Pick a few favorites or decide to watch something new. Just be sure to find a cozy blanket and add lots of popcorn.

Bonus: If you have a fireplace or outdoor fire pit, cozy up with your loved one to enjoy the movie with added ambiance. Add a warm drink and low lights to set the mood. Try upgrading your cup of coffee or brewing a flavorful tea.

Get Nostalgic

Reminiscing on your past is a wonderful way to spend a quiet Valentine's Day at home. Grab your wedding album or video and relive your wedding day. Or talk about that first date or time when you first met. You can even put together a photo album showcasing some of your favorite memories.

In addition, let your loved one know just how much they mean to you with a homemade Valentine's Day card. Add a special note or a Valentine's quote that conveys a sentimental message.

Share a Thoughtful Gift

Valentine's Day at home is the perfect time to remind the special people in your life how much they mean to you. Share your appreciation with a Valentine's Day gift from the heart.

Even if money is tight, you can give plenty of free (or nearly free) gifts to make Valentine's Day unforgettable.

Get Crafty

Looking to get creative? Having a arts and crafts night with your special person is a great way to have fun while making something meaningful together. Try an online art class or make a Valentine's Day craft. Gather some art supplies and let your imagination soar.

Go Stargazing

Nothing says true romance like a night under the stars with your special person. Whether you’re in your backyard, on a balcony, or simply gazing through a window, sharing the wonder of the night sky together makes for a simple yet magical way to connect. So bundle up, step outside, and bask in the beauty of the cosmos (and each other!)

Read more at Real Simple

Related Links

• Love & Money: 5 Essential Tips for Couples this Valentine's Day

• Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers

• Single Women Own 2.72 Million More Homes Than Single Men In US — And The Gap Is Growing. Here's What It Means

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Single Women Own 2.72 Million More Homes Than Single Men In US — And The Gap Is Growing. Here's What It Means.

When it comes to property ownership, single women in the U.S. have a major edge — owning 2.72 million more homes than single men according to LendingTree.

In fact, they outnumber single male homeowners in 47 out of 50 states. Pew Research Center data from 2023 shows that single women own 58% of the 5.2 million properties possessed by unmarried Americans.

This may come as a surprise because of the gender wage gap. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in the U.S. earn on average 83% of what men do. However, there are some central reasons why single women are more likely to be homeowners.

Why single women are buying more homes

First off, some women actually earn more money than men in some markets. Pew Research found that women under 30 in 22 different cities have higher average salaries than their male peers. In areas where women earn more, they are in a better financial position to buy a home.

Some suggest that single women may be more interested in homeownership than single men, and more willing to do the work to save and make it happen.

However, there are also more clear-cut reasons women buy more homes even though they are single. Specifically:

Single women heading households. As the U.S. Census Bureau reveals, women are more likely to be single parents or caregivers for elderly relatives, both of which could prompt them to want to buy a home.

Widows as homeowners. Women often live longer than men, so many widows end up owning family homes. This might explain why the homeownership gender gap is narrower among millennials and older members of Gen Z but wider among older adults.

What does this mean for the real estate market?

Unfortunately, research from the Yale School of Management shows single women earn lower returns when buying and selling properties than single men.

On average, they pay 2% more for properties and sell them for 2% less. As more women come into the market, this could impact home values.

Since single women are more likely to have dependents, they may be less flexible on timing the real estate market than male buyers. This could drive sales in the spring and summer seasons, when school is out — typically the busiest times for buyers.

Women may also prioritize different things when looking for a home, such as safety and security features.

As developers respond to changing demand in single homeownership, they may build smaller, more affordable properties across the board. Both single men and single women would benefit from having housing options geared toward their needs.

Read more at YahooFinance

Related Links

• Love & Money: 5 Essential Tips for Couples this Valentine's Day

• Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers

• The 3 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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