Real Estate Agents: 3 Things To Negotiate When Buying a House
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Brendan McGinley
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For most people, buying a home is the most expensive purchase they’ll ever make, and this cost can be exacerbated by market conditions.
While autumn 2025 is shaping up to be a sweet-spot season for homebuyers, it’s still worth it to negotiate what costs you can to bring down your total spend.
Understand the Current Market
The market is getting more buyer-friendly right now, according to Carla Gericke, a realtor with Porcupine Real Estate.
“The fever has broken,” she said. “Inventory is climbing, mortgage rates are steadying around 6% to 7% and sellers are blinking first.”
Additionally, almost half of U.S. sellers have cut their prices and homes are lingering on the market longer. This translates to “fewer bidding wars, more motivated sellers and a return to that almost-forgotten concept … negotiation,” she said.
Things To Negotiate
With the current market in mind, here are things you should consider negotiating when you buy.
List Price
The first thing buyers should negotiate is asking for a bit off the list price.
“I just got $10,000 off asking for a client,” Gericke said, “thanks to longer-than-average days on market and a very old roof.”
According to her, a savvy agent can read between the lines to determine how long the property’s been sitting, whether the seller’s relocating, how many price cuts they’ve already made and craft a pitch that lands.
“If you’re a first-time buyer, play it cool. Instead of lowballing upfront, I advise clients to go in at the asking price to show good faith, and then, after the inspection, strategically ask for concessions,” she said.
Closing Costs and Extras
Beyond price, buyers can often negotiate on closing costs, inspection repairs or even seller concessions like rate buydowns and credits, according to Lawrence Bellido, president of the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association.
“For example,” he said, “if a property has been on the market for a while, a buyer may be able to request that the seller cover a portion of closing costs or buy down the mortgage rate to make monthly payments more affordable.”
Inspection Findings
Inspection findings also open the door for negotiation, Bellido said. However, rather than demanding every repair be made, it opens the door to remuneration.
“It’s often more effective for buyers to request a repair credit or price adjustment,” he said. “This approach keeps the transaction moving while giving the buyer flexibility to make improvements after closing.”
Sarah Cowan, a realtor with Guide Real Estate, recommended maintaining as much control over the repairs contract as possible. “When the buyer can hire the contractor after closing … it’s often easier to hold that contractor accountable to complete the work properly,” she said.
In some cases, however, it’s actually smarter to have the seller complete the repairs, she said, “since they might uncover a surprise that triggers additional disclosure or latent defect requirements anyway.” Working with a realtor who can tell you the difference is key.
Understand Loan Types Before Negotiating
Be clear on the limitations of each loan type before you start negotiating, however, Cowan said, as the maximum allowable amount can vary.
“Buyers should speak with their lender early to clarify what can realistically be requested, then work with their agent to negotiate with the seller,” she said, “whether that means having the seller absorb the cost or building it into the loan.”
Ultimately, it comes down to the seller’s willingness to adjust their net and the buyer’s financial flexibility, structuring the deal in a way that works best for both sides, she explained.
Consider Supply and Demand
Ultimately, your negotiation power all depends on the basic principle of supply and demand, Cowan said. While the COVID-era market did not lend itself to negotiating, with limited inventory and high demand, things have changed.
“As we are seeing more of a buyers’ market, sellers will need to prepare themselves for larger asks from buyers than have been in the past five years,” she said.
Partner With a Realtor
Before you attempt any fancy negotiation on your own, always connect with a licensed realtor, Cowan said.
“A buyer’s agent’s role in spotting opportunities and coaching through the process is critical,” she said. “Conversations with the listing agent can reveal key insights that strengthen your negotiation position.”
Stay Informed and Realistic
For first-time buyers especially, the key is to stay informed and realistic. Negotiation isn’t about winning every point; it’s about reaching a fair agreement that gets you the home you want. The best way to do that?
“Listen to your agent’s advice, understand what’s typical in your market and focus on what will create long-term value,” Bellido said.
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