How much below asking price should I offer on a home?

In a buyer's market or on a stale listing, four to eight percent below asking is defensible when comps support it. In a competitive market, offering close to asking while asking for concessions like repair credits or closing cost help usually works better than a lowball number.

Should I ask for a price reduction or a repair credit after inspection?

Repair credits are often easier for sellers to accept and simpler for lenders to process, since they don't change the purchase price. Just confirm the credit stays within your loan type's concession limits (3% conventional under 10% down, 6% FHA/USDA, 4% VA).

How much can a seller contribute toward my closing costs?

Conventional loans with less than 10% down allow up to 3% in seller concessions, FHA and USDA allow up to 6%, and VA allows up to 4% plus standard closing costs. Going over these limits means the excess can't be applied to your loan.

What days on market number signals a negotiable listing?

Homes in the first 30 days usually sell near list price. At 30–60 days, four to five percent discounts become common; at 90+ days, five to eight percent below asking is typical when comps support it. In Fresno, where median DOM sits around 66 days, listings past that threshold are worth a closer look.

Which inspection findings carry the most negotiating weight?

Roof condition, electrical hazards, foundation and structural issues, plumbing or sewer problems, and aging HVAC systems. Back every request with a licensed contractor's written estimate, not just the inspector's note in the report.

When should I walk away from a home negotiation?

When the seller won't negotiate on major issues and the numbers push you past the ceiling your comp analysis supports. Walk away professionally and in writing: sellers sometimes come back, especially on listings with significant days on market.

How to Negotiate a Home Price: Tactics That Get Results

By Aradhana Bhandary, REALTOR® (About Aradhana: /about-aradhana). A Central Valley Realtor's step-by-step guide to home price negotiation: pulling comps, reading days on market, using inspection findings, structuring seller concessions within loan limits, and knowing when walking away is your strongest move.

Buyer Tips | July 2026 | By Aradhana Bhandary, REALTOR®: DRE #02121126: Aluisi Real Estate

Too many buyers leave money on the table during home price negotiation, not because they forgot to ask for a lower price, but because they asked without anything to back it up. Knowing how to negotiate a home price starts well before the offer is written. A seller's agent will often counter, delay, or look past a request entirely unless the evidence makes ignoring it genuinely difficult.

Successful home price negotiation is a preparation exercise, not a personality contest. You need comps, market signals, inspection data, and a clear understanding of what you're willing to walk away from. In California's Central Valley, where conditions can shift from competitive to sluggish within a few zip codes, that preparation gap between buyers is often what separates a great deal from an overpriced one. At Aradhana Bhandary | Selling Central Valley, data-backed advocacy is the foundation of how the team approaches every buyer transaction across the Fresno metro and surrounding communities.

About the author

Aradhana Bhandary is a REALTOR® (California DRE #02121126) with Aluisi Real Estate, working as Selling Central California and serving buyers, sellers, and relocating clients throughout Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Fresno County, and the greater Central Valley. She is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) and a physician relocation specialist. Read her full profile at /about-aradhana or get in touch at /#contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much below asking price should I offer on a home?: In a buyer's market or on a stale listing, four to eight percent below asking is defensible when comps support it. In a competitive market, offering close to asking while asking for concessions like repair credits or closing cost help usually works better than a lowball number.
Should I ask for a price reduction or a repair credit after inspection?: Repair credits are often easier for sellers to accept and simpler for lenders to process, since they don't change the purchase price. Just confirm the credit stays within your loan type's concession limits (3% conventional under 10% down, 6% FHA/USDA, 4% VA).
How much can a seller contribute toward my closing costs?: Conventional loans with less than 10% down allow up to 3% in seller concessions, FHA and USDA allow up to 6%, and VA allows up to 4% plus standard closing costs. Going over these limits means the excess can't be applied to your loan.
What days on market number signals a negotiable listing?: Homes in the first 30 days usually sell near list price. At 30–60 days, four to five percent discounts become common; at 90+ days, five to eight percent below asking is typical when comps support it. In Fresno, where median DOM sits around 66 days, listings past that threshold are worth a closer look.
Which inspection findings carry the most negotiating weight?: Roof condition, electrical hazards, foundation and structural issues, plumbing or sewer problems, and aging HVAC systems. Back every request with a licensed contractor's written estimate, not just the inspector's note in the report.
When should I walk away from a home negotiation?: When the seller won't negotiate on major issues and the numbers push you past the ceiling your comp analysis supports. Walk away professionally and in writing: sellers sometimes come back, especially on listings with significant days on market.

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This site works best with JavaScript enabled. You're viewing the accessible text version. Contact Aradhana Bhandary, Fresno Realtor, at (559) 320-5525 or aradhana@aluisi.com.