Mortgage Navigator • Conventional • Transaction Funds

Sales concessions vs. financing concessions

A seller paying closing costs is different from a seller giving the buyer a car, furniture allowance or cash-like rebate.

Financing concessions

These are eligible interested-party contributions used for permitted borrower closing costs within the applicable percentage limits.

Sales concessions

Freddie identifies cash or cash-like contributions, furniture, automobiles, securities, vacations and other giveaways as sales concessions. Excess financing concessions can also become sales concessions.

Why it matters

Sales concessions can reduce the effective purchase price used for LTV calculations. That can change maximum loan amount, mortgage insurance and eligibility.

Practical lesson: structure seller help as permitted closing-cost assistance when possible rather than an off-closing giveaway that creates a valuation or eligibility problem.

Official guide baseline

Fannie Mae Selling Guide · Freddie Mac Seller/Servicer Guide

Program terms, AUS findings and lender overlays control. DPA program eligibility must also be verified with the program administrator.