Two illustrative offers to a seller
Offer A is $500,000 cash with $5,000 in seller-paid items. Offer B is $510,000 financed with $12,000 in seller-paid items. Before other costs, A leaves $495,000 and B leaves $498,000. B has a $3,000 advantage on those entered terms, but funding evidence and contingencies still matter.
| Offer | Price less stated seller-paid items |
|---|---|
| A: cash | $500,000 − $5,000 = $495,000 |
| B: financed | $510,000 − $12,000 = $498,000 |
| Difference | B is $3,000 higher before other costs |
Avoid a causal market claim
A study of closed cash purchases cannot show what financing alone did to price. Cash and financed buyers may purchase different property types, conditions and price ranges. Preserve the financing field as recorded, disclose unknown values and compare similar groups. For a live decision, ask the closing professional to verify funds through an appropriate process and have the contract terms reviewed.
Keep financial arithmetic and execution risk separate
Document price and each seller-paid deduction from the current offer version, then calculate the subtotal. Record financing, appraisal, inspection, funding evidence and possession terms alongside it without inventing a numerical chance of closing. The winning subtotal in an example does not decide whether the same terms suit another seller’s deadline or obligations.
Sources & further reading
- CFPB determine a comfortable home budget checked 2026-09-26
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