How to Make the Strongest Offer in Today’s Housing Market

In today’s competitive real estate climate, buyers are getting creative to stand out. Making the strongest offer in the housing market no longer means just bidding the highest. Instead, it’s about maximizing the seller’s net proceeds, being flexible, and showing you’re serious. Sellers want to understand which buyer’s offer will leave them with the most money!

Savvy buyers are saving on commissions by using a flat fee buyer agent at a flat fee real estate brokerage, allowing them to strengthen their offers without increasing their total out-of-pocket cost. This strategy can make your offer more appealing than others at the same price point or can you give more flexibility to take your offer higher without breaking the bank.

Why “Strongest Offer” Means More Than Just Price

Net proceeds = seller priority

Most sellers care about one thing: what they walk away with after all fees. This means the offer with the highest net proceeds often wins, even if it isn’t the highest offer on paper.

Post-commission reform reality (NAR settlement, 2024 changes)

The 2024 NAR settlement introduced more clarity to real estate commission structures, especially around buyer agent fees. While most sellers still expect to cover at least a portion of the buyer agent’s commission, the new rules now require buyers to sign a clear agreement with their agent outlining compensation. In addition, listing brokers can no longer include offers of compensation from sellers to buyer brokers on the MLS.

This transparency empowers buyers to explore alternative models, like flat fee buyer agents or a la carte services. These options are likely to become more common over time. If you enter the market with a straightforward, efficient representation model, your offer can appear more attractive and help boost the seller’s net proceeds.

How Flat Fee Buyer Agents Can Strengthen Your Offer

Traditional agents typically earn 2.5% to 3% of the sale price. On a $500,000 home, that’s $12,500 to $15,000. A flat fee buyer agent might offer to represent the buyer for a flat $8,000, or use a hybrid model like $6,000 plus 1% of the amount over a set threshold.

Here’s how the first example plays out:

Sale Price	Traditional Buyer Agent (2.5%)	Flat Fee Agent	Net to Seller (Assumes Seller Covers Buyer Agent Fee)
$500,000	$12,500	$8,000	+$4,500 in seller net

That $4,500 in net savings can be used to increase the offer or buy down your interest rate.

What’s Included in Flat Fee Buyer Representation

Core Services Provided

• Preparing your offer documents
• Handling negotiation points (price, inspections, appraisal)
• Completing legal disclosures and required paperwork

What May Not Be Included

• Touring multiple homes in person
• Concierge-level service or 24/7 availability

Flat fee agents are great for buyers who are comfortable doing their own home searches and want expert help during the transaction. This combination can often help lead to making the strongest possible home offer.

Buyer Profiles Who Benefit the Most

• Zillow or Redfin DIY buyers: Already finding homes online and scheduling showings
• Investors and repeat buyers: Familiar with the process
• First-time buyers who want guidance: Need help with contracts, not house hunting
• Hybrid buyers: Want to tour a few homes but need full transaction support

How to Leverage Commission Savings to Improve Affordability

Apply Savings to a Permanent Rate Buydown

You can use savings from your agent’s fee to lower your mortgage rate permanently. This gives you monthly savings over the life of your loan.

Use Funds for a 2-1 Temporary Buydown

Temporary buydowns lower your payment for the first two years. This can make budgeting easier as you adjust to your new home.

Negotiate More Seller Concessions

By showing that you need fewer commissions covered, you might get more help with closing costs, repairs, or upgrades.

Affordability Advantage Over Traditional Buyers

Buyers who save $10,000 in commissions can deploy that money in more meaningful ways to find affordability and value in a challenging market.

Co-Author Insights: What Today’s Buyers Are Doing to Strengthen Their Home Offers

Richard Harless of AZ Flat Fee notes: “We’re seeing more buyers shift to flat fee models because it frees up cash to improve their offers or reduce monthly payments through a lower interest rate.”

Marshall Gottlieb from Agave Home Loans adds: “Our lending team supports these buyers with tools like buydowns and faster and stronger pre-approvals to help them compete with certainty.”