Cindy Romo

Most buyers think negotiating a home comes down to one number: the price. It's only a fraction of what's actually on the table. 🏡

Right now buyers have more room to ask than they've had in years — in 2025, 62.2% of buyers paid below list price. The real wins are in the terms underneath the price:

- Seller credits toward your closing costs (which run 2–5% of the price)
- Repairs — or a cash credit — after the inspection
- A closing timeline built around the seller's needs
- Appliances, fixtures, and extras that stay with the home

The buyers who come out ahead aren't the ones who push hardest on price. They're the ones who know everything they can ask for.

Read the full article: https://cindyromo.com/what-you-can-negotiate-in-a-home-purchase-that-most-buyers-dont-realize/

It’s easy to get emotionally attached to a home fast — especially when it photographs well and checks your first few boxes.

Before you fall in love, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Does this home actually fit my daily life?
Think about commuting, storage, layout, parking, and how you’ll use the space.
2. Can I comfortably afford more than just the purchase price?
Look beyond the mortgage and think about utilities, insurance, taxes, maintenance, and moving costs.
3. Am I excited about the home — or just reacting to the pressure of the market?

A competitive market can push buyers to move emotionally instead of strategically.

The right home should make sense on paper and in real life.

A little pause up front can save a lot of regret later.