Couldn’t agree more about not pushing too hard, especially when there’s competition. One thing I’d add—sometimes teachers (or anyone with a steady job) can leverage special loan programs or grants that help with upfront costs. I’ve seen folks get down payment assistance or even reduced PMI just by asking their lender what’s out there. It’s not always about the price tag; sometimes it’s about finding those hidden perks. And yeah, asking for credits instead of a lower price can be a smoother move, especially if the seller’s got their number set in stone.
Not gonna lie, I tried the “ask for credits instead of a lower price” thing and it kinda backfired for me.
Maybe I just had a stubborn seller, but they were way more open to shaving a bit off the price than giving credits for closing costs. I guess it depends on whether the seller wants to brag about their sale price or just get it over with.“asking for credits instead of a lower price can be a smoother move, especially if the seller’s got their number set in stone.”
One thing I’d throw in—sometimes those “hidden perks” are like unicorns. I spent hours digging through grant programs, only to find out my county ran out of funds by March. If you’ve got the patience (and maybe a spreadsheet), sure, go for it. But sometimes, just haggling over the price is less of a headache. Maybe that’s just my luck, though. Anyone else feel like these programs are like trying to find a good avocado at the grocery store? Always either not ripe or already gone...
Funny you mention the avocado thing—totally get it. I’ve seen sellers dig their heels in on credits, too. Sometimes they just want that “sold at asking” badge for their ego or future comps. Have you tried looping in your lender early? Some can spot programs or credits you’d never find on your own, but yeah, a lot of those grants are gone before spring even hits. Ever wonder if it’s just a timing game, or is it more about who you know?
Sometimes they just want that “sold at asking” badge for their ego or future comps.
That’s honestly spot on. I’ve had clients lose out on decent credits just because sellers got hung up on that “badge”—it’s wild how much pride can drive these deals. As for timing vs. connections, I’d say it’s a bit of both. Some programs are first-come, first-served, but knowing which lenders are actually plugged into the right grants or incentives can make a huge difference. I’ve seen teachers get in on programs others didn’t even know existed, just because their lender was proactive. Don’t underestimate how much a good lender can dig up, even if it feels like a long shot.
It’s wild how much that “sold at asking” thing can mess with negotiations. I’ve had buyers ready to offer a little over, just to get some closing cost help, but nope—seller wants that badge for their Zillow screenshot. Do you think some agents push it more than the sellers themselves? And yeah, the right lender is like having a secret menu at a restaurant… half the time, folks don’t even know what’s available unless someone tips them off. Ever seen a program pop up and disappear in a week? Feels like a lottery sometimes.
