How Smart Negotiation Saved a Homebuyer Over $30,000 on His Dream Home
How Smart Negotiation Saved a Homebuyer Over $30,000 on His Dream Home by Gustavo Santana
For many home buyers, homeownership can feel out of reach—especially in today’s market where homebuyers are typically having to pay more out of pocket when closing on the purchase of their new home. However, Brad’s story proves that with the right strategy and the right real estate team, you can secure your dream home AND save thousands in the process.
Brad was not planning to buy a home. He had purchased a townhouse just a couple of years ago and was content. Until, he stumbled upon a home being sold in a neighborhood that held deep sentimental value to him. The home sat on a lake where he grew up fishing. From the moment he saw it online, he couldn’t shake the thought of living there.
What happened next was nothing short of incredible. Not only were we able to assist Brad with securing the home he never thought he’d own, utilizing our effective negotiation strategies we also saved him over $30,000. Making his purchase an even greater win for Brad.
A Game-Changing Discovery: More Home for the Same Price
When Brad first considered the home, his biggest concern was affordability. After all, he had purchased his townhouse in 2023 and wasn’t sure upgrading was even possible.
I connected Brad with my lending partner and after a quick conversation he was shocked to learn that for the same price he was paying on his current townhouse, he could have this beautiful home which was nearly twice the size. That realization changed everything.
We immediately scheduled a private tour. From the moment Brad walked through the door, he knew—this was the one.
From Competition to Victory: How Brad’s Offer Stood Out While Negotiating $10,000.00 Below Asking
Brad found the perfect home but there was just one problem. The seller already had an offer on the table.
To complicate matters, Brad was not intending to pay full price. Also, he needed to sell his townhouse prior to his new purchase. Most buyers in this situation would have called it quits and lost the home to the other buyer. However, I encouraged Brad to give me the opportunity to win him this deal and he agreed to proceed forward.
Instead of blindly submitting an offer, my approach was to strategically reach out to the agent in order to gather key insight about the seller’s priorities. I discovered that the seller needed a substantial post-occupancy agreement. A post occupancy agreement is an accommodation that a seller may need to occupy the property for a certain period of time after the sale of the home is finalized and formally closed.
With the information obtained, we crafted a strong yet “win-win” offer.
The Result???
Brad’s offer was accepted immediately. Easily beating out the competition. The offer was so lucrative that the seller agreed to not only reduce the price by $10,000, he also agreed to assist Brad with some of his closing costs.
Big Savings: Seller Covers a Portion of Buyer’s Closing Costs
One of the biggest financial wins in this deal was the fact that the seller covered a large portion of Brad’s closing cost.
This was definitely a game-changer. Today buyers' closing costs tend to be much higher than in previous years. In this case, by agreeing to give the seller the time he needed to remain in the house, the seller was willing to make this contribution. When I shared the great news with Brad, he was so excited. He confidently moved forward with the purchase.
Inspection Surprise? No Problem—Here’s How We Secured an additional $3,000.00
Just when things seemed to be falling into place perfectly the home inspection revealed numerous items that needed repair. Brad had real concerns and the seller was firmly against offering any credits or conducting any of the repairs.
This could have been a deal-breaker. After some tough negotiations, the seller agreed to provide Brad with a $3,000 credit towards the needed repairs. This put even more money back in Brad’s pocket.
Now, not only did Brad get the home of his dreams for a $10,000 discount. His closing cost were substantially lower and he walked away with extra funds in his pocket to assist with the repairs.
Brad’s Ultimate Win: $33,000 Saved and a Dream Home Secured
Even though we had to navigate some tough challenges, including figuring out how Brad can purchase the new home prior to selling his current townhouse. Every move we made was strategic, well planned, and ultimately helped put Brad in a stronger financial position overall.
By the end of this deal, with the savings from the inspection, a price reduction and the seller assisting with closing costs, Brad saved over $30,000. All while securing a dream home in a location that means the world to him.
Due to the post-occupancy agreement, Brad has not moved into the property just yet. But the feeling of knowing he owns a home in the exact place where he grew up is pricelist and has already brought him incredible joy.
Final Thoughts: Your Dream Home Could Be More Affordable Than You Think
Brad’s story isn’t just inspiring, it’s proof that with the right strategy and the right team, your dream home can be right within your reach.
At The Alfredo Rivera Group, we don’t just help buyers find homes. We help them win in negotiations, keep more in their pockets, and guide them through smart financial decisions.
Thinking about buying a home? Whether you're ready now or just want to explore your options, we’re here to help.
Call us today and let’s start your success story!
Written By: Gustavo Santana
Gustavo Santana has assisted and helped many families in Florida with the purchase and sale of their homes. Gustavo is fluent in both English and Spanish. His ability to communicate seamlessly in both languages allows him to assist a diverse range of clients, whether they are buying, selling, or investing in real estate.
Gustavo’s ambition and passion for serving others quickly earned him the role of Team Lead for The Alfredo Rivera Group with Beatus Realty. With a wealth of skills and knowledge, he has made a meaningful impact on the real estate market, helping families from Vero Beach down to Miami achieve their homeownership goals.
