A few years ago, sellers could say no to almost anything and still get away with it.
No repairs needed. No concessions requested. No back-and-forth negotiations.
If buyers wanted the house, they often had to accept the seller’s terms. But now that more homes are available, negotiations are becoming a normal part of the home buying process again.
That’s why one of the most important things sellers need to understand right now is this: the goal isn’t to win every negotiation. It’s to work toward an agreement that helps both sides move forward.
Sometimes it pays to meet buyers halfway to close a deal quickly. For example, offering to cover a buyer’s closing costs can seal the deal.
Let’s walk through it so you’ll know what to expect if it comes up during your sale.
What Are Buyer Closing Costs?
Closing costs are the extra expenses buyers pay on top of their down payment when they buy a home. Freddie Mac gives some examples:
Loan origination fees
Appraisal and inspection costs
Title and attorney fees
Survey fees and more
Typically, buyer closing costs are about 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. That means for a typical $400,000 home, you could be looking at roughly $8,000 to $20,000 you’ll need to pay out of pocket.
In today’s tough affordability market, that upfront cash can be a big hurdle for some buyers, even if they can comfortably handle the monthly mortgage payment.
That’s why more buyers are asking sellers for help.
And More Sellers Are Saying “Yes”
According to the latest data from Zillow, about 67% of sellers covered some or all of the buyer’s closing costs in 2025, as shown in the chart below.
That doesn’t mean every seller is offering to cover closing costs, and it certainly doesn’t mean it’s the right move for everyone. But it does show that seller concessions have become much more common as the market has shifted, and that’s something buyers should keep in mind.
When Paying Closing Costs May Make Sense
This is where many sellers get stuck. They hear “help with closing costs” and immediately think, “Why should I pay for their expenses?”
But that’s not always the best way to look at it. The real question is who has the leverage in today’s market.
Data from Redfin shows there are currently more sellers than buyers in the market, and that’s changing the balance of power (see graph below):
That doesn’t mean every market is favoring buyers. In fact, many areas are still seeing homes sell quickly, giving sellers plenty of leverage. But in other markets, buyers have more negotiating power than they’ve had in years.
That's why the local market matters a lot when you're deciding.
For example, offering help with closing costs might make sense if:
There are a lot of homes for sale in your area
Your home has been on the market longer than you expected
You’ve had showings but no offers yet
You’re motivated to sell quickly
Or you’re trying to keep a deal together during negotiations
If it’s what helps seal the deal with a serious buyer, it could be well worth it.
Other Concessions You Could Offer Instead
Just keep in mind, being flexible doesn’t mean saying yes to every request. It means knowing which compromises actually move you closer to your goals, because there are always other options to consider.
Redfin suggests you can also consider other concessions if you don’t want to help with closing costs, such as:
A home warranty
Repair credits
Flexible closing dates
Leaving behind appliances or furniture
The right answer really comes down to what buyers in your market are looking for and what matters most to you. That’s why having an experienced local agent on your side makes such a difference.
Bottom Line
Sellers doing best right now are the ones who recognize the market has changed and are adjusting to meet it.
Sometimes that means negotiating closing costs. Sometimes it means offering something different. The important thing is knowing which concessions make sense in our local market.
If you're unsure what's typical around here, what you can negotiate, and when it's best to hold your ground, let's talk.
