Same Ten Thousand Dollars. Two Very Different Offers.

Same ten thousand dollars. One version lands in your bank account on closing day. The other trickles in over thirty years, and part of it might never show up at all. Episode Summary The seller credit vs price cut decision is one of the most common questions first-time buyers face when writing an offer, and the instinct to chase the lower price can quietly cost them. Kevin Martini of Martini Mortgage Group walks through why, on a $430,000 Raleigh home with 5% down, a $10,000 price cut moves the monthly payment by about $63 while a $10,000 credit can keep up to $10,000 in the buyer's account at closing. He also covers the three limits that flip the answer: the 3% conventional cap, credits larger than actual closing costs, and a low appraisal. The episode ends with the one question every buyer should ask their lender before the number goes on the contract. Key Questions This Episode Answers Is it better to ask the seller for a lower price or help with closing costs? How much can a seller actually pay toward my closing costs, and what happens if we negotiate more? Why can't a seller credit fix a low appraisal, and what should I ask for instead? What You Will Learn Why the same $10,000 does far more for most first-time buyers as a credit than as a price cut. How the seller credit vs price reduction math changes when you put less than 10% down on a conventional loan. What a seller credit can pay for, and why it can never touch your down payment. Why any credit above your real closing costs goes back to the seller instead of to you. How a low appraisal during the North Carolina due diligence period turns the price cut into the right tool. The one question to ask your lender before your agent writes the offer. About the Host Kevin Martini (NMLS 143962) is the founder of Martini Mortgage Group, located at 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604. Phone: 919-238-4934. He serves homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate professionals across North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland with fiduciary-grade mortgage guidance. Listen + Connect If you want to know your credit cap and real closing costs before your next offer, start a no-obligation conversation at martinimortgagegroup.com. Equal Housing Lender