Concessions on resale homes show up when a seller is motivated, and the size tracks the price point, the days on market, and how competitive the neighborhood is. A correctly priced home in a tight market often sells with no concession at all. When we do see them, credits in the ballpark of 1 to 3 percent of the price are common. We have written deals around a $12,500 credit on a home in the low $700s (just under 2 percent) and an $8,000 closing-cost credit from a seller who needed a fast close. Every loan program caps how much seller-paid credit you can actually use: - Conventional: 3% of the price with less than 10% down, 6% with 10 to 25% down, and 9% with 25% or more down (2% on investment properties). - FHA and USDA: 6%. - VA: 4% for true concessions, and normal closing costs the seller pays do not count against that cap. Credits can only cover your actual closing costs and prepaids. Anything beyond that gets treated as a price concession and cuts the value the lender will use, so size the ask to your real costs. Buyers usually point concession money at closing costs, a rate buydown, or repairs. One caution: a straight price cut is often worth more than a large credit, and a permanent buydown only pencils out if you hold the loan long enough to recover the upfront cost. We lean against paying for rate as a default, so run the break-even before converting price into a buydown. That comparison is something plenty of people want to see, and we will run it for you.