A better payment story for your listing

Buyer's first-year payment reduction · 2/1 buydown

$0 /mo lower for the buyer

What a seller credit buys in monthly relief on the 2/1 program at a 5.0% starting rate. Adjust the inputs or pick a program below to update this number.

Year-1 rate

5.0%

buyer's starting rate

Seller / Listing agent

For the listing that needs a better payment story, not another price cut.

Set the list price and loan amount to turn a stale-listing objection into payment-focused marketing language that buyers and agents can understand quickly. Leave the interest rate on the Freddie Mac national average, or switch to enter a note rate.

State

County sets the conforming loan limit

County conforming loan limit (one-unit)$832,750

A buydown is funded on the buyer's loan amount, not the list price. A larger down payment lowers the credit.

Loan amounts above the county conforming limit ($832,750) may still be available through CCM portfolio programs.

List price tap to type

$100K$2.0M

Estimated down payment tap to type

$0$739,000

% down

Estimated buyer loan amount tap to type

$50K$789,000

95% LTV

List price = down payment + loan amount. Move any slider and the others adjust.

Interest rate

Freddie Mac national average30-year fixed · 6.49% (as of Jul 9, 2026) Enter a note rateType a quoted or hypothetical 30-year fixed rate

Next step — see the buydown options

Sample listing language · updates with your inputs

Required disclosure — copied automatically with the text above

Drop-in copy for listing remarks or a flyer. Figures update as you move the sliders and pick a program, and the disclosure above is included whenever you tap Copy. Review with CrossCountry Mortgage before public use.

Why a credit beats a price cut

Same dollars, very different impact on the monthly payment a buyer actually feels:

$17,095 as a price cut

$95 /mo lower

spread thin across 30 years

same amount toward a 2/1 buydown

$942 /mo lower

far more monthly impact in year one

A temporary buydown, in plain terms.

Instead of leading with "rates are high," show the buyer the payment path. This tool turns a seller credit into a simple, professional conversation around monthly cost.

A credit at closing

Funds are set aside at closing to cover the gap between the reduced payment and the full note-rate payment.

A lower payment early

The buyer pays less during the buydown period, while still qualifying at the full note rate from the beginning.

A clearer conversation

A temporary buydown can turn a rate objection into a structured seller-credit conversation that begins with payment.

Why offer a buydown instead of cutting the price?

A seller credit toward a buydown often lowers the buyer's monthly payment more than an equivalent price reduction would. That makes the home feel more affordable now, which is what most buyers are weighing in a higher-rate market.

Is this a permanent rate change?

No. A temporary buydown only reduces the payment for the buydown period of one, two, or three years. After that, the regular note rate applies for the remaining loan term. A permanent buydown, paying points, is a separate option worth discussing.

What if the buyer refinances or sells early?

If the loan is paid off before the buydown period ends, any unused buydown funds are typically applied to the loan balance. The specifics depend on the program, so let's confirm them together.

Is a buydown available on every loan?

No. Availability and seller contribution limits vary by loan program, and some programs may not allow a credit large enough to fund every option shown. The financed amount is also limited to the conforming loan limit for the county.

Derek Bickel

Stale listing? Don't cut the price. Cut the payment.