More Than Half of San Diego Sellers Are Giving Money Back. Here's How to Ask for Yours.

Here's a number many San Diego buyers don't know: 57.1%.

That's the share of San Diego home sales that included a seller concession in August, according to Redfin. Nationally, it was 44.7%, the highest August share since at least 2020.

So if you're buying here and not asking, you may be leaving money on the table.

First, a twist

San Diego's rate actually fell from 62.4% a year earlier. Redfin says local agents are seeing competition for turnkey single-family homes and a market that's picking up speed, at least as of its August data.

That's the real lesson. Concessions are common here, but they aren't automatic. Your leverage depends on the home.

When you have leverage, and when you don't

You probably have more room when:

• The home has been on the market a while or has had a price cut
• It needs work
• Similar homes nearby are competing for the same buyers
• The seller has a deadline

You probably have less room when:

• It's a turnkey single-family home priced well and newly listed
• There are other offers
• It's in a price range where homes are moving fast

Redfin's county data for May through July showed competition concentrated between about $650,000 and $1.5 million, so check local comps before assuming anything.

How to ask

1. Have your agent call first. Find out what the seller cares about: price, timing, certainty or a rent-back. A seller who needs a fast close may trade a credit for speed.

2. Ask for a specific number and purpose. "A $15,000 credit toward closing costs and a rate buydown" is easier to evaluate than "some help."

3. Use inspection findings carefully. A documented repair issue is a stronger reason for a credit than a general wish for a better deal. Credits can also save the seller from managing repairs before closing.

4. Make the rest of your offer strong. Solid financing, clean terms and a realistic timeline can make a seller more willing to say yes.

5. Check your loan's limits first. Lenders and loan programs cap how much a seller can contribute, and the cap often depends on your down payment. Credits generally can't simply go into your pocket as cash, so talk with your lender before you write the offer.

What should you spend it on?

Use	Best if...
Closing costs	Cash to close is your biggest hurdle
Rate buydown	Your monthly payment is your biggest hurdle
Repair credit	Inspection found something you want to handle yourself
Price reduction	You want a lower loan amount and lower ongoing tax basis

The headline number isn't what matters. What matters is how much the money helps your actual situation. We run the comparison in Should You Cut Your Price or Buy Down the Buyer's Rate?

Know your market

Concession rates vary a lot. In Redfin's August data, Atlanta was at 72.8%, San Francisco was at 18.6% and San Jose was at just 4.2%. Advice from a friend in another city, or even from a few years ago, may not apply here.

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Want Jesse and Jeremy's guide to smart ways to use seller credits? Contact us and say "HOME."

Sources: Redfin, Nearly Half of Homebuyers Get Concessions From Sellers (August 2026 data) · Redfin, San Diego County Housing Market Update: August 2026

Disclaimer: Educational purposes only. The GreenHouse Group Inc. (CA DRE #01859042 | NMLS #366847). We are real estate and mortgage professionals, not CPAs, tax advisors or attorneys. This content is not individualized real estate, financial, tax, legal or lending advice. Seller concessions vary by property, seller, transaction, loan program, appraisal, lender requirements and borrower qualifications, and aren't guaranteed. Market data comes from the cited third-party source and dates, and may change. The GreenHouse Group is not affiliated with Redfin.