Seller paid closing costs can be one of the smartest tools in a real estate negotiation—if you understand how they work.

In this episode, Tabetha (Tabi) Klein sits down with Wilmington local and top-producing loan officer Joey Milam of Alpha Mortgage Advantage to break down seller credits from every angle: what they are, how they’re negotiated, what the rules allow, and how buyers can sometimes use them to lower their cash to close or improve their long-term payment strategy.

Joey shares real-life scenarios to explain the financial impact of seller concessions, the limits buyers and sellers need to know, and why communication between the agent, lender, and seller side is critical for closing on time.

In this episode, we cover:

• What seller paid closing costs are (and why they matter)

• What seller credits can be used for—and what they cannot (hint: not down payment)

• Limits and regulations around seller concessions

• Creative financing options that can reduce interest rates and monthly payments

• Negotiation strategies that can work for both buyers and sellers

• How to decide between short-term savings vs. long-term savings

00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup
01:12 Getting to Know Joey Milam
01:57 Understanding Seller-Based Closing Costs
06:09 What Can Seller Credits Be Used For?
07:35 Typical Closing Costs Explained
09:07 Limits on Seller Credits
11:38 What Seller Credits Cannot Be Used For
15:21 Navigating Seller Concerns in Transactions
15:39 Understanding Seller Concessions
16:45 The Importance of Communication in Negotiations
18:23 Presenting Options to Clients
21:05 Long-Term Savings vs. Short-Term Costs
23:43 Educating First-Time Homebuyers
25:48 Wrap-Up + Next Steps

mortgages, seller paid closing costs, Wilmington real estate, loan officer, home buying, creative financing, interest rates, buyer strategies, real estate negotiation, home ownership