Sellers Assist in PA

Happy couple standing in front of their new homeIf you plan to purchase a home in Pennsylvania, you might want to consider exploring the seller concession option. This agreement between the buyer and seller can make the home sale process more feasible and affordable for the buyer. Seller concessions allow homeowners and sellers in Pennsylvania to provide financial assistance to the buyer to help offset closing costs, lowering the overall home price.

This can be especially useful for Pennsylvania first-time buyers who might struggle with paying closing costs. With seller assistance, the buyer can negotiate with the seller to pay closing costs directly, easing the financial burden on the buyer. If you're considering buying a home in Pennsylvania, it's worth asking the seller about possible seller concessions.

What is a Seller Assist?

You may have heard of the term "seller assist" and wondered what it means if you are thinking of buying a home. Seller assistance involves a home seller paying some of the buyer's settlement costs, which could help you afford the house or act as a concession to make it more affordable.

Let's assume, for instance, that you are considering a $200,000 house. You could pay $4,000 less in cash at settlement if the seller agrees to cover the buyer's closing fees on your behalf.

Seller assistance can be used for various costs, including appraisal fees, loan origination fees, and title insurance. The amount of the seller's service varies depending on the home's sale price, loan program, and the willingness of the seller to pay some or all of your closing and prepaid costs.

Ask your real estate agent about seller assistance if you're considering buying a home. It may be just what you need to make your dream home a reality.

How Does a Seller Assist Work?

Homebuyers in the present market can access a helpful alternative known as seller assistance or seller concessions. It might spell the difference between making a profitable acquisition and having your offer rejected by other purchasers. In a nutshell, seller aid is a sum of money the seller gives to the buyer to cover closing costs.

Seller concessions are often given as part of a transaction between a buyer and a seller. The local real estate market, competition from other buyers, and the seller's desire to close the transaction fast or simply with fewer conditions will all impact the buyer's degree of assistance. Depending on local customs and market circumstances, help might range from 1% to 6% of the purchase price.

How Does the Seller's Assistance Benefit the Seller?

In Pennsylvania, a seller concession can entice potential buyers and facilitate a fast sale of a house. It can benefit those looking to sell a Pennsylvania home with an average closing cost. By offering payment and closing cost assistance, buyers whose high closing costs may have deterred them can now consider purchasing the property. This seller assistance can also help the seller attain a higher price for their median or average home. The closing costs can be prorated, and with the help of a mortgage loan, buyers may be able to afford a home in Pennsylvania that they previously thought was out of reach.

What Expenses Can Be Paid With a Seller's Assistance?

There are several costs associated with buying a property that you must cover. But just what may be purchased with a seller's assistance?

With seller assistance, the seller's contribution can aid in covering a large portion of the closing costs for the buyer. This may be a terrific way to partially offset the expense of purchasing a house, but it's crucial to understand which fees are covered and which are not.

Typically, a seller assist might be used to pay for the following expenses:

  • Appraisal
  • Credit report
  • Discount points
  • Escrow fees
  • Loan origination fee
  • Property taxes
  • Title insurance
  • Transfer and Mortgage Stamps

These are only a few of the most common expenses a seller assistant may help with. However, it is crucial to confirm with your lender what costs they want to be reimbursed.

Make sure you are fully aware of the expenses that will be paid if you plan to use seller assistance while purchasing a house so that you can prepare a budget properly.

How much seller assistance can I ask for?

Seller assistance, also known as a seller concession, is an agreement between the buyer and seller in which the seller agrees to pay a portion of the buyer's closing costs. This assistance typically ranges from one to six percent of the purchase price, depending on lenders' loan programs.

A seller assistant can save home buyers thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses when closing on their homes. It also allows buyers with limited funds or those who do not have enough savings to complete their purchase without having to come up with additional money they may not have available.

FHA Loan

A standard FHA loan allows for up to 6% of the purchase price for seller assistance. That means buying a $100,000 home can receive up to $6,000 from your seller towards closing costs. Suppose no other credits or deductions are being applied. In that case, this total amount may be applied towards closing costs not covered by other services or programs, such as those offered by HUD or state housing agencies.

USDA Loan

The maximum allowable seller assistance for USDA loans is 6% of the purchase price, which can go towards closing costs and prepaid items such as homeowner’s insurance, mortgage insurance premiums, etc.

Seller assistance is similar to FHA loans.

VA Loan

The home seller is allowed to pay all the veteran's closing costs. The VA allows the seller to pay up to 4% of the sales price toward the veteran's prepaid expenses (i.e., homeowner's insurance, property tax escrow, per diem interest, etc.).

Conventional Loan

The Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) set the rules for sellers who want to assist with conventional loan purchases.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow 3 percent seller assistance when the down payment is 3% to 9%. Six percent is permitted with a down payment of 10% to 24.99%, and 9% with loan down payments greater than 24.9%. Is it better to have a lower sales price with no seller assistance or a higher one with seller assistance?

Let's compare:

Assume the home is listed at $106,000, but you can buy the house with NO SELLER ASSIST at $100,000 or pay FULL PRICE at $106,000, and the seller will pay 6% toward your closing, escrow, and prepaid costs. FHA mortgage, 30-year term.

Notice that a no-assistance offer at $100,000 has a lower monthly payment, but the cash requirement is higher.

The seller assistance option has a lower cash requirement but a higher monthly payment.

ASSUMPTION No Assist Seller Assist
SALES PRICE $100,000.00 $106,000.00
Down Payment Amount $3,500.00 $3,710.00
closing-costs $3,076.75 $3,166.75
Escrow and Prepaids $5,176.96 $5,295.58
Subtotal $11,753.71 $12,172.33
TOTAL CASH TO PURCHASE $10,788.71 $4,789.43
 
MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT No Assist Seller Assist
MONTHLY PAYMENT $895.59 $933.32

FAQs About Seller Assistance

Q. Can seller assistance be used for the down payment?
A. No. The seller's assistance is limited to closing costs and prepaid expenses (i.e., tax escrow, prepaid homeowner's insurance, per diem interest, etc.).

Q. Can the seller assist in exceeding closing costs?

A. The mortgage rules clearly state that the seller's assistance cannot exceed the allowable closing and prepaid costs. In short, no cash back.

Q. How do I get my money back after closing for repairs?

A. If the home requires repairs, use a seller's assistance to reduce the total cash requirement and save on repairs. If the house needs more money to repair or upgrade, consider the 203(k) loan.

Q. How does the seller's assistance affect the seller?

A. The seller's assistance may be necessary to help the buyer purchase the home. In many situations, home sellers will concede seller assistance instead of a reduced sales price.

Q. How does the seller's assistance work?

A. The sales contract defines the amount or cost of the seller's assistance. The amount the seller paid for the closing cost cannot be outside of the settlement.

Q. Is a seller assistant a good idea?

A. Every home buyer is different. If you're scratching up cash to buy a house, a seller's assistance is an excellent way to reduce the money at closing. Seller assistance can purchase discount points to lower the interest rate.

Q. Is seller assistance tax deductible?

A. The seller's assistance is not tax-deductible, and the cost is an ordinary expense on the sale.

Q. What happens if the closing costs exceed what the seller agreed to pay?

A. As stated earlier, the maximum amount of seller assistance is limited to the amount stated in the sales contract. The seller can keep the difference if the closing costs are less than anticipated.

Quick Recap

  1. Subject to the program guidelines, sellers can pay the buyer's closing costs.
  2. Seller-paid concessions must be included in the sales contract.
  3. The FHA, VA, USDA, and Fannie Mae permit Seller assistance.

Conclusion

Regarding a home purchase, a seller's assistance can immensely benefit prospective home buyers, especially in Pennsylvania, where closing costs can be pretty high.

By allowing the seller to contribute to the buyer's closing costs, buyers can significantly lower their upfront expenses, which is a great relief for many. It is common for sellers to agree to cover some or all of the buyer's closing costs, depending on the circumstances.

For a buyer in Pennsylvania, it's essential to understand the expected costs associated with purchasing a home. Typically, buyers expect to pay between 2% and 5% of the home's purchase price in closing costs. However, seller assistance can significantly reduce this cost, making the entire process more affordable.

First-time homebuyers in Pennsylvania may also be eligible for first-time homebuyer programs or loan forgiveness, which can be incredibly helpful in making homeownership more accessible. If you are a seller in Pennsylvania, you'll need to meet specific requirements to offer assistance to buyers. However, if you are in a position to assist, it's a great way to attract potential buyers and make the process smoother overall.

To sum it up, if you're buying a home in Pennsylvania, it's crucial to factor in closing costs, and it's helpful to know that a seller's assistance is an option. Meanwhile, offering assistance may be an attractive incentive for buyers if you're selling a home.

SOURCE:
FHA underwriting manual
USDA Manual
VA underwriting manual
Fannie Mae

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Centre County: First Time Home Buyer Program
Closing Cost Assistance for Veterans 

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