For many people dreaming of owning a home, the hardest part isn’t finding the right place or getting a mortgage. It’s coming up with the cash needed just to close the deal. According to Bankrate’s 2025 Down Payment Survey, 81% of hopeful homeowners say that down payment and closing costs are a major or somewhat major obstacle to buying a home. It’s a big reason why so many are still renting or waiting on the sidelines.

At Vreeland Real Estate, we get it. In 2024 alone, we helped secure $2.3 million in closing costs for our buyers. Whether through seller-paid closing costs, seller concessions, or smart negotiation strategies, our goal is simple: make buying a home more affordable and less stressful.

What Are Closing Costs and Why Are They a Big Deal?

Closing costs are all the extra fees that come with buying a home. These can include things like loan fees, title insurance, appraisals, escrow accounts, and attorney charges. For most buyers, these costs add up to about 2 to 5 percent of the home’s price. So if you’re buying a $400,000 home, you could owe another $8,000 to $20,000 in closing costs — and that’s on top of your down payment.

For many first-time buyers, these costs are a real shock. Even if they’ve saved for years, the extra cash needed at closing can be too much. That’s why closing costs often end up being the reason someone can’t move forward. It’s not the monthly payment. It’s the big chunk of money needed up front.

How Seller-Paid Closing Costs Can Help

This is where seller-paid closing costs come in. In some deals, the seller agrees to pay part (or even all) of the buyer’s closing costs. These are known as seller concessions, and they can make a huge difference.

Seller-paid closing costs help buyers by reducing the amount of money they need to bring to the table. That makes buying a home easier and more affordable, especially for people who are stretching their budget. These concessions can sometimes be the key to making a deal work.

At Vreeland Real Estate, we work hard to negotiate these kinds of deals. In 2024, we helped buyers get $2.3 million worth of closing costs covered through smart negotiations and timing. That’s real savings for real people who got to move into their homes with more money in their pockets.

When Are Seller Concessions Possible?

Seller concessions are more likely in certain types of markets. If homes are taking longer to sell or if there’s less competition, sellers may be more willing to help with closing costs in order to make a sale. On the other hand, in a hot market with bidding wars, it can be harder to ask for these concessions — but not impossible with the right approach.

Our real estate agents understand how to read the market and when it’s the right time to ask for seller-paid closing costs. We know how to write offers that make sense for both sides and keep deals moving forward. Sometimes a small request for closing cost help can make all the difference. It’s important to remember that while a lower sale price might save money in the long run, closing cost help puts money directly back into the buyer’s pocket right away. That’s money buyers can use for moving costs, furniture, or just to stay financially comfortable after a big purchase.

We’re Focused on Making Homeownership Possible

Today’s housing market is not easy. Prices are high, interest rates have gone up, and there are fewer homes for sale. When Bankrate reports that most people see closing costs as a major hurdle, we’re not surprised. We see that struggle every day.

But we’re not here just to watch, we’re here to help. The $2.3 million in seller-paid closing costs and seller concessions that we secured in 2024 shows how seriously we take that mission. We fight for every dollar our buyers can save, and we know how to find solutions even in tough markets.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve been holding off on buying a home because of closing costs, you’re not alone. The numbers show that most people feel the same way. But you don’t have to do this on your own — and you don’t have to pay for everything out of pocket. Seller-paid closing costs and seller concessions are tools we use every day to help buyers move forward. At Vreeland Real Estate, we know how to make these tools work for you. With the right plan and a little expert guidance, owning a home may be closer than you think.