Everything You Can Negotiate When Buying or Selling a Home

When it comes to real estate, most people focus solely on the price. But the truth is, almost every part of a home sale or purchase is negotiable, and knowing what’s on the table can help you save money, secure better terms, or win in a competitive market.

Led by top agent Tiffany Pantozzi, ALIGN Real Estate empowers clients to approach every deal with strategy, clarity, and confidence. Whether you're buying your first home or selling your third, Tiffany ensures you understand every negotiable detail and how to use it to your advantage.

1. The Purchase Price

 It’s the obvious one, but also the most important. The list price is just a starting point. We help our clients understand market trends and property value so they can make an offer that’s both competitive and financially smart.

2. Repairs & Renovations

Once an inspection is complete, we’ll walk through the report together and decide what repairs are worth negotiating. Sometimes it’s better to request a credit; other times, a price reduction makes more sense. Either way, we make sure you’re protected and not stuck with surprise costs later.

3. Closing Costs

Closing costs can add up quickly from lender fees to title charges. We often negotiate with sellers to help cover some or all of these costs, especially when it can help our buyers close more comfortably or when we’re in a more favorable market.

4. Appliances & Personal Property

Think that a washer, dryer, or custom lighting fixture would make your life easier? You’d be surprised how often we include those in the deal. From patio furniture to mounted TVs (or even golf carts!), we make sure any personal property you want is clearly written into the contract.

5. Timeline & Closing Date

Every client has a different timeline, whether you're relocating, waiting to close on another home, or just need extra time. We negotiate the closing date that works best for you and find flexible solutions when timelines between buyers and sellers don’t quite match up.

6. Home Warranty

We often ask sellers to provide a one-year home warranty, especially if a home has older systems or appliances. It’s a small ask that brings peace of mind to our buyers and can help prevent disputes after closing.

7. Interest Rate Buydowns

In today’s rate environment, buying down the interest rate can make a big difference in your monthly payment. We sometimes negotiate for the seller to pay discount points on your behalf, which can lower your long-term costs more than a price cut would.

Tip: In some cases, we offer slightly above asking to give the seller room to fund a buydown, making it a win for both sides.

8. Contingencies

We build every contract around your needs. Whether it’s a financing, appraisal, or home sale contingency, we negotiate to include the right protections for you or remove them strategically when you need a competitive edge.

9. Appraisal Gaps

In a hot market, we may pre-negotiate appraisal gap coverage. This ensures that if the property appraises below the offer price, you won’t lose financing or the deal.

10. HOA Fees & Assessments

If the property comes with HOA fees or upcoming assessments, we can ask the seller to cover them at closing. This is especially helpful with new construction or buildings undergoing major improvements.

11. Post-Occupancy Agreements (Rent-Backs)

If a seller needs to stay in the home after closing, we’ll negotiate a rent-back agreement that protects your interest while giving them the flexibility they need. We make sure the terms daily rate, duration, and insurance coverage are all clearly outlined.

BONUS: Escalation Clauses—Outbidding Without Overpaying

In multiple-offer situations, we often use escalation clauses to help you win without blowing your budget. This lets your offer automatically increase in set increments above competing offers but only up to a point you’re comfortable with.

We always structure these carefully to protect you and require proof of competing offers so your top dollar doesn’t get revealed too early.

BONUS: Lender & Vendor Fees — Yes, We Negotiate These Too

Real estate isn’t just about negotiating with the other side it’s also about getting better deals from your own vendors. We encourage all of our buyers to compare lender quotes and title fees, and we help you spot where you might be overpaying.

There’s almost always room to negotiate these costs, and we make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.

BONUS: Buyer Credits—Smart Savings That Work with Your Loan
Buyer credits can be a great way to offset closing costs or fund a rate buydown, but they have to be structured correctly. We work closely with your lender to make sure the credits fit within the loan program and that the home will appraise with them built in.

Why We Negotiate Beyond the Basics

Negotiation is where smart deals are made. It’s not just about winning on price; it’s about maximizing every opportunity in the transaction.

At ALIGN, we know where to look for leverage, how to structure your offer, and how to build a deal that works for your bottom line.

Ready to negotiate smarter? Let’s talk about your next move. We’re here to help you get more every step of the way.