Almost Half of Home Sellers Are Making Concessions

Why flexibility is becoming a winning strategy in today’s housing market

The housing market is shifting, and sellers are adapting. With more homes available, buyers have more choices than they’ve had in years. Nearly half of sellers are making concessions—covering closing costs, offering repairs, or adding extras—to help seal the deal. The good news? Prices are still up about 55% from five years ago, so sellers often walk away ahead, even with incentives.

What Are Seller Concessions in Real Estate?

Seller concessions are incentives offered to buyers to make a property more appealing. These can include:

• Paying some or all of the buyer’s closing costs

• Covering repair expenses before closing

• Offering a home warranty or including appliances

• Adjusting the price to stay competitive

Concessions can help a home stand out when buyers have multiple options.

Why Are More Sellers Offering Concessions Now?

With inventory levels higher than in recent years, buyers have more negotiating power. Offering a concession can be the difference between a quick sale and a home that lingers on the market.

Higher mortgage rates and home prices have also made upfront costs more challenging for buyers. Concessions help bridge that gap and encourage serious offers.

Which Concessions Are Most Effective?

The most attractive concessions vary depending on market conditions and property type, but these often have the greatest impact:

1. Closing Cost Assistance – popular with first-time buyers who may be short on cash.

2. Repair Credits or Upgrades – appealing for older homes or properties that need updates.

3. Home Warranties or Extras – adding peace of mind for buyers in any market.

A knowledgeable real estate agent can help determine which incentive will be most effective for your specific situation.

How Do Concessions Affect a Seller’s Profit?

Even with concessions, most sellers today still see strong returns thanks to years of home price growth. The key is choosing an incentive that makes the home more attractive without unnecessarily cutting into your final proceeds.

Q1: Do seller concessions make a home sell faster?
Yes, seller concessions can make a home more attractive to buyers, especially in a competitive market. They can reduce the buyer’s upfront costs, making it easier for them to commit to a purchase.

Q2: What are examples of common seller concessions?
Common concessions include paying for a portion of the buyer’s closing costs, providing repair credits, offering a home warranty, or including appliances and furniture as part of the sale.

Q3: Do seller concessions reduce a seller’s profit?
They can, but often sellers still make a strong profit thanks to home price growth over the last several years. The key is to choose concessions that help the home sell faster without significantly impacting your bottom line.

Which Concessions Are Most Effective?

The most attractive concessions vary depending on market conditions and property type, but these often have the greatest impact:

1. Closing Cost Assistance – popular with first-time buyers who may be short on cash.

2. Repair Credits or Upgrades – appealing for older homes or properties that need updates.

3. Home Warranties or Extras – adding peace of mind for buyers in any market.

A knowledgeable real estate agent can help determine which incentive will be most effective for your specific situation.

How Do Concessions Affect a Seller’s Profit?

Even with concessions, most sellers today still see strong returns thanks to years of home price growth. The key is choosing an incentive that makes the home more attractive without unnecessarily cutting into your final proceeds.

Thinking about selling? A smart concession strategy could be the edge that gets your home sold faster—while still helping you meet your financial goals.