06/24/2026
Are Seller’s Paying Buyer’s Closing Costs?
Remember when sellers could basically say, “No” to everything?
“Can you help with repairs?” Nope.
“Can you cover closing costs?” Absolutely not.
“Can you negotiate?” That’s adorable.
Buyers were basically submitting offers with a thank-you note and hoping for the best.
But today’s market? It’s a different story.
One of the biggest mistakes sellers can make right now is thinking they have to “win” every negotiation.
Because the goal isn’t to win the negotiation. The goal is to get to the closing table.
One thing that’s coming up more often? Buyers asking sellers to help with closing costs.
Now before you immediately clutch your pearls and say, “Wait… you want me to pay THEIR expenses?” hear me out.
Closing costs are all the extra fees buyers have to pay on top of their down payment—things like loan fees, inspections, appraisals, title costs, and more. On a $400,000 home, that can easily add up to eight to twenty thousand dollars.
And even buyers who can comfortably afford the monthly payment sometimes struggle coming up with all that cash upfront.
In fact, Zillow reports that 67% of sellers paid some or all of a buyer’s closing costs in 2025.
Does that mean every seller should? Absolutely not.
But if your home has been sitting longer than expected… if you’ve had plenty of showings but no offers… if you’re motivated to move quickly… or if a small concession keeps a solid buyer from walking away, it might be worth considering.
And here’s the good news: flexibility doesn’t mean becoming a human ATM.
If you don’t want to help with closing costs, there are other options. You could offer a home warranty, repair credits, flexible move-in dates, or even leave behind appliances that you don’t want to haul to your next house anyway.
Because sometimes the difference between “For Sale” and “Sold” isn’t dropping your price—it’s finding the right compromise.
The sellers having the most success right now aren’t fighting the market—they’re adapting to it.
If you’re thinking about selling and wondering what’s normal in our local market, where you should stand firm, and where it makes sense to negotiate, send me a message. I’d be happy to walk you through it so you can make the smartest decision for your situation.
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