Can the rebate go straight to my credit card?

On a conventional loan, no. Lenders treat an agent credit as a contribution toward closing costs and prepaids, and it can't be paid out to you. The benefit is indirect but real: the cash you'd budgeted for closing is freed up.

Will paying off debt raise my credit score?

Lowering the balance on a revolving account usually helps your utilisation, which is a large part of a score. Closing an account can hurt. Timing matters too, so talk to your lender before you do anything during escrow.

Does this work with FHA?

FHA allows up to 6% in interested-party contributions toward closing costs and prepaids, but not a direct debt payoff the way VA can allow. Your lender will tell you what your file permits.

When should I pay things off?

Ask first. Paying off or opening accounts during escrow changes your credit profile and can change your approval. Your lender will tell you whether to do it before the application, during, or after you close.

← What would you do with it?

Walk into your new home with less debt.

How your money back can help you clear balances, depending on your loan.

Find out what you could pay off

We'll connect you with a local lender. No obligation, no cost to talk. SelfCloze doesn't receive any fee from lenders.

A person filing away a paid-off statement, relieved, bright home office.

The short version

VA buyers: VA allows up to 4% in seller concessions, and that can include paying off debts. Ask your lender what qualifies.
Conventional buyers: your rebate covers most of your closing costs, so the cash you set aside for closing stays in your pocket.
Lower debt can mean a lower debt-to-income ratio, which can help you qualify.

Two ways it works

On a VA loan, concessions can pay a debt directly at closing. On a conventional loan the rebate covers your closing costs, which frees the cash you had set aside.

If you're using a VA loan

VA allows up to 4% in seller concessions, and that sits on top of normal closing costs and discount points. Within it, concessions can cover:

Payoff of credit balances or judgments
Prepaying property taxes and insurance
The VA funding fee

Your lender decides which debts qualify and when they're paid. Bring your statements to the first conversation. Source: VA Lender's Handbook M26-7, Chapter 8.

If you're using a conventional loan

Lenders treat an agent credit as a contribution toward closing costs and prepaids. It can't go toward your down payment, and it can't be handed to you as cash.

The win is indirect but real: you budgeted cash for closing costs, the rebate covers them, and that cash is now free to pay off a balance — before or after closing, with your lender's blessing.

Don't pay anything off during escrow without asking first

Paying off or opening accounts changes your credit profile, and your approval was issued against the old one. It is one of the most common ways a clean file falls apart in the last two weeks.

What to pay off first

Highest rate first

The avalanche. Costs you the least in total interest, and the maths is never wrong.

Smallest balance first

The snowball. Costs slightly more, but clearing a whole account is the thing that keeps people going.

Biggest payment, fewest months left

Frees your debt-to-income fastest, which is what matters if you're trying to qualify.

Run your numbers

What could you pay off?

Monthly gross income

Cash available from your rebate or savings$20,000

Order

Your debts

NameBalanceRate %Payment

Monthly payments freed

$420/mo

Clears: Credit cards, Student loans

Interest saved over 12 months: $2,500
Cash left over: $0
Non-housing DTI before: 9.33%
Non-housing DTI after: 4.67%

DTI here is non-housing debt only. Your lender calculates the full ratio including the new mortgage, taxes and insurance.

Don't borrow against the equity. Keep the commission.

MLS listing, disclosures, contracts, deadlines and a transaction coordinator — handled by a licensed California agent for a flat fee. $0 up front, and nothing owed if your home doesn't sell.

Send me my numbers

Based on a $1M San Diego home where the seller offers 3% to the buyer's agent. Applied to closing costs first. How much can go to you beyond that depends on your loan. Estimate only, not a guarantee.

How SelfCloze helps

Our fee is flat, so on a typical San Diego purchase most of what a seller offers a buyer's agent comes back to you at closing. On a conventional loan that covers your costs and frees the cash you'd set aside; on a VA loan it can sometimes go further.

Questions people ask

Can the rebate go straight to my credit card?: On a conventional loan, no. Lenders treat an agent credit as a contribution toward closing costs and prepaids, and it can't be paid out to you. The benefit is indirect but real: the cash you'd budgeted for closing is freed up.
Will paying off debt raise my credit score?: Lowering the balance on a revolving account usually helps your utilisation, which is a large part of a score. Closing an account can hurt. Timing matters too, so talk to your lender before you do anything during escrow.
Does this work with FHA?: FHA allows up to 6% in interested-party contributions toward closing costs and prepaids, but not a direct debt payoff the way VA can allow. Your lender will tell you what your file permits.
When should I pay things off?: Ask first. Paying off or opening accounts during escrow changes your credit profile and can change your approval. Your lender will tell you whether to do it before the application, during, or after you close.

$30,000 of commission is $30,000 of debt you could clear.

Your listing goes on the MLS and syndicates to Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com and 15+ other sites. Disclosures, contracts and deadlines are handled. You show your own home, which is the part most sellers can genuinely do.

See what's included