The Full-Price Offer Hack That Could Save You $173,000 (Yes, Really)

Let’s play a game called: “Would You Rather?”

Would you rather… A) Feel like a negotiating genius for shaving $28,000 off the list price? Or… B) Pay full price and secretly walk away with more money in your pocket? Plot twist: Option B is actually the winner here. And yes, we’re serious.

Welcome to the wonderful world of seller concessions — the real estate loophole so good, it almost feels like cheating (but it’s not, we promise).

What Are Seller Concessions?

Seller concessions are basically when the seller agrees to cover certain closing costs on your behalf. But here’s where things get interesting: you can use those concessions to buy down your mortgage rate. This means lower monthly payments and massive long-term savings.

Let’s break it down with a real-world example (brace yourself, the math is spicy):

The Math Magic

Let’s say you’re eyeing a $1,400,000 home.

Scenario A: You negotiate like a boss and offer $1,372,000. The seller bites. You feel victorious. Cue the slow clap.

Scenario B: You offer the full $1,400,000 but ask the seller for $28,000 in concessions to buy down your mortgage rate.

Here’s how that plays out:

• That $28,000 = about 3 mortgage points
• Your interest rate drops from 7.00% → ~6.25%
• Your monthly payment drops from $9,311 → $8,830
• That’s $481 less per month, $5,772 less per year, and $173,160 in savings over 30 years

🎯 Full price? Yes. Full send on savings? Also yes.

When Does This Strategy Make Sense?

This strategy works best if:

• You’re planning to stay in the home long-term
• You want lower monthly payments more than a slightly smaller loan balance
• You’re okay being the smart one at the dinner table explaining how you technically paid full price but outsmarted the system

How to Make It Happen

1. Work with an agent (hey, that’s us 👋)
2. Run the numbers with a lender (or Google “mortgage points calculator” if you’re into DIY)
3. Make a strong full-price offer with a clear ask for concessions
4. Watch your mortgage rate do a little cha-cha slide downward

Final Thought

In a market where every dollar counts, playing it smart with seller concessions can be the difference between a good deal and a great one.

And if you need help crunching the numbers? Connect with us. We’ll treat your finances like our own (responsibly… but with flair).