Can't Afford Today's Rates? This Hack Might Change Your Mind

Think you can't afford to buy a home because of today's interest rates? This might change your mind.

We're in a window where sellers, especially those who've been sitting on the market longer than expected, are motivated. That means they're giving thousands in credits and concessions just to get deals done. One of the ways smart buyers are using those credits is to buy down their rate, which can save hundreds of dollars every month on their mortgage.

Hi, I'm Tanja Odzak, Realtor with eXp Realty, helping people sell and buy homes right here in the East Bay for the last 10 years.

Here's how it works: instead of using seller credits for closing costs or price reductions, those funds can go directly toward lowering your interest rate. That means more affordability, lower monthly payments, and in many cases a better overall deal than waiting around for rates to drop.

Remember, you marry the house, but you date the rate. You can always refinance later, but the deal you negotiate today, including seller incentives and rate buydowns, might not be available once the market shifts or competition picks back up.

I'm Tanja Odzak, and I've sold over $100 million worth of homes with a decade of experience in the East Bay. Instead of waiting and hoping, let's take advantage of the leverage buyers have right now and find homes that fit what you're looking for.