re: Let's talk closing costs for home buyers

When you ask for closing costs you are just going to drive up the sales price of the house. The seller is looking for certain amount that they want to walk away with whether they pay for closing costs or not.

As a buyer, just look at it as whether you'll want to pay up front for closing costs or would you rather add them to your mortgage. If you have the cash on hand set aside for closing costs, don't ask for them because you want to keep your sales price as low as possible. If you you don't have much cash, which a lot of first time home buyers don't have, you will likely ask for some assistance with closing costs. But sellers don't just hand over money like you think. They are adding it to their bottom line net proceeds.