Southern California Real Estate Update – Why More Sellers Are Offering Buyer Incentives
If you’re navigating the real estate market in Southern California—whether buying or selling—it’s important to understand one of the biggest trends we’re seeing right now: seller concessions are on the rise.
In the first few months of 2025, nearly 44% of home sales across the U.S. involved some form of concession from the seller. Here in Southern California, cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, and surrounding areas are seeing even higher rates of concessions.
🤔 What Are Seller Concessions?
In plain terms, seller concessions are financial perks that a seller offers to help the buyer complete the purchase. These might include:
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Covering closing costs
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Providing credits for needed repairs
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Offering to buy down the buyer’s mortgage rate
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Or other incentives that reduce the buyer’s upfront expenses
In today’s market, these concessions can be the difference between closing a deal or letting it fall through.
📉 Why Are Concessions Increasing?
Right now, we’re in a market where buyers have more options than they did even a year ago. That’s because:
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Mortgage rates remain high, impacting affordability
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Home prices are still elevated
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Inventory is at a 5-year high, giving buyers more leverage
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Economic uncertainty has slowed buyer demand
As a result, many sellers are stepping up and offering extra value to get deals done.
👩💼 What This Means for Sellers
If you’re thinking of selling, you may need to stand out in a more competitive market. Offering a well-placed concession could be what makes a buyer choose your home over the one down the street. It’s not about giving money away—it’s about making your sale happen faster and smoother.
I help my clients price smartly and negotiate strategically, so any concessions offered are part of a winning plan—not a loss.
🏠 What This Means for Buyers
For buyers, this is a rare moment of opportunity in SoCal. You may be able to negotiate meaningful savings in your next home purchase—especially if you’re working with a broker who knows how to spot motivated sellers.
Don’t leave money on the table. Let’s talk about what’s possible in today’s market.
📬 Let’s Connect
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up, or preparing to sell, I’m here to guide you through each step with experience and clarity.
Have questions? Want to know what’s happening in your neighborhood? Let’s have a conversation. You might be closer to your goals than you think.