Has anyone actually used rhs loans or down payment assistance to buy a home?

- Had a similar experience with my first place using down payment assistance. The lender flagged chipped paint and a missing smoke detector, but ignored stuff like a busted closet door and a leaky kitchen faucet.
- Sellers only fixed what the appraiser demanded. Everything else was “as-is” - felt like they’d rather risk losing the deal than spend another $100.
- I’m curious, did anyone actually get credits or price reductions for minor stuff? Or is it just standard now that buyers eat those costs?
- Wondering if this is more common in hot markets, or if it’s just the new normal everywhere.

In my experience, getting credits for minor stuff is like finding a unicorn - rare, but technically possible. Sellers usually only budge if the market’s slow or the buyer has real leverage. In hot markets? You’re mostly stuck with that leaky faucet.

In my experience, getting credits for minor stuff is like finding a unicorn - rare, but technically possible.

That’s been my luck too. I tried to get a seller to cover a few repairs when I used down payment assistance, but they barely blinked. The agent basically said, “Take it or leave it.” Maybe if the house had been sitting longer, but in my area, stuff goes fast. I did get them to throw in a home warranty, which felt like a win at the time... until I realized it didn’t cover much. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles and budget for the little fixes yourself.

Yeah, those home warranties are like the cheap umbrellas of real estate - look good until you actually need them. I tried to get a seller to fix a leaky faucet once, and they acted like I was asking for a new roof. Ended up just fixing it myself for $20. Sometimes you just gotta roll with it and save your energy for the big stuff.

I hear you on the home warranty thing - sometimes it feels like they’re more trouble than they’re worth. On the down payment assistance side, have you looked into local programs? Some of my clients have had good luck with state or city grants, especially first-time buyers. The process can be a little paperwork-heavy, but it’s worth checking out if you’re trying to keep upfront costs low. Have you run into any snags with lenders when asking about these programs? Sometimes they don’t mention them unless you ask directly.