Can the seller pay my closing costs in Florida?

Short Answer

Yes, up to the cap in your loan program, if the contract says so and the file still appraises and underwrites. Sometimes a price cut is cleaner than a credit. That is a loan question and a contract question at the same time.

Can the seller pay my closing costs in Florida?

Yes, when the contract says so and the loan program allows the credit. FHA, VA, conventional, and Non-QM each have their own concession caps. The file still has to appraise and underwrite. A credit that looks generous on paper can still fail if the investor will not accept it.

Sometimes a price cut is cleaner than a credit. That is a loan question and a contract question at the same time. I can sit on both conversations. Realty of America and PMF, Inc. stay separate companies.

What this looks like in Pinellas

Sellers in a slower Largo pocket may have more room to help than a seller on a tight Clearwater Beach condo. The program cap does not care about the seller's mood. Insurance and HOA still sit in the payment after the credit.

Buyer Credit and Homes for Heroes are separate benefits with conditions. They are not the same line as a seller concession, and they do not stack with each other or with the 2.25 percent sell-before-you-buy path.

Step-by-step

  1. Apply so we know the program family.
  2. Ask PMF what concession cap applies to that family.
  3. Write the credit in the contract in a way the lender can read.
  4. Keep the appraisal and the insurance path in view.
  5. Recheck the closing disclosure. The worksheet is not the wire.

Credit versus price cut

ToolWhen it can helpFriction
Seller creditBuyer needs cash to close helpProgram caps
Price cutAppraisal or optics
BothRarely cleaner than one honest lineUnderwriting

What you control versus what you do not

You control the ask. You do not control the cap. You do not control the appraiser.

Common mistakes

Asking for a credit before you know the program. Counting the credit twice against down payment and costs. Treating my dual license as a waiver of investor rules.

Next step

Apply. Book if the offer is already in play. Consumer education, not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Opportunity applies.

Jonathan Loescher, SL3546365 and NMLS 2621894. 29399 US Highway 19 Suite 150, Clearwater, FL 33761. (727) 729-2961.

Jonathan's Advice

Expert Insight

I write a seller credit when the program allows it and the appraisal can live with the price. If the credit would break overlays, we talk a price cut instead. Dual-licensed help is useful here because the contract line and the 1003 have to match.

Talk through your situation

Real estate services are through Realty of America, LLC. Mortgage services are through PMF, Inc..

Equal Housing Opportunity

Real estate services: Realty of America, LLC · FL #SL3546365

Mortgage services: Jonathan Loescher NMLS #2621894, PMF, Inc. NMLS #1980

This page is general education, not legal, tax, or a commitment to lend.

Program benefits have conditions; ask for current terms.

Fair housing: this page describes property and process, never preferred residents.

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