The BuyerFirst 1·1·1 Program gives California buyers and sellers a simpler way to understand transaction costs: 1% to list, 1% for qualified buyer representation, and up to 1 point in lender credit through a BuyerFirst lending partner. It is designed to make pricing, representation, and financing easier to evaluate in one coordinated structure.
If you want to see how the numbers could apply to your situation, start with mortgage guidance or speak directly with the team about your transaction.
Three numbers. One transaction.
Two steps. Both free. Both straightforward. Step 1 — Sign a Buyer Representation Agreement with a BuyerFirst agent. Step 2 — Get pre-approved through a BuyerFirst lending partner. That is it. Once you have completed both steps, you qualify as a BuyerFirst Buyer — which means the seller covers your 1% representation fee on a BuyerFirst listing, and your lender credit is applied at closing.
If you find your home through a non-BuyerFirst listing, representation is 1.5% — still well below the industry standard — and the lender credit still applies when you finance through a BuyerFirst lending partner.
Here is what the 1·1·1 Program looks like on two California transactions.
Orange County — $900,000 Purchase
THE SELLER — Traditional commission (5%): $45,000 / BuyerFirst 1·1·1 (2%): $18,000 / Seller saves: $27,000
THE BUYER — Representation fee (seller-paid): $9,000 / Lender credit at closing: Applied from BuyerFirst lending income / Buyer chooses: Reduce closing costs or lower the rate
THE LOAN — BUYER'S CHOICE — Option A: Credit applied to closing costs — less cash out of pocket on closing day. Option B: Credit applied to rate reduction — a lower monthly payment for the life of the loan.
BuyerFirst buyer qualification requires a signed Buyer Representation Agreement and pre-approval through a BuyerFirst lending partner. Lender credit subject to loan amount and loan type. Ask your BuyerFirst agent for numbers specific to your transaction.
THE SELLER — Traditional commission (5%): $70,000 / BuyerFirst 1·1·1 (2%): $28,000 / Seller saves: $42,000
THE BUYER — Representation fee (seller-paid): $14,000 / Lender credit at closing: Applied from BuyerFirst lending income / Buyer chooses: Reduce closing costs or lower the rate
THE LOAN — BUYER'S CHOICE — Option A: Credit applied to closing costs — meaningful cash back in your pocket at closing. Option B: Credit applied to rate reduction — lower monthly payment, lower total cost of ownership.
BuyerFirst buyer qualification requires a signed Buyer Representation Agreement and pre-approval through a BuyerFirst lending partner. Lender credit subject to loan amount and loan type. Ask your BuyerFirst agent for numbers specific to your transaction.
The lender credit can be applied two ways. Your BuyerFirst agent will run the numbers on both before you decide. OPTION A — REDUCE YOUR CLOSING COSTS: Less cash out of pocket on closing day. The credit is applied directly to your closing costs — straightforward, immediate, and visible on your closing statement.
OPTION B — LOWER YOUR INTEREST RATE: A reduced rate for the life of the loan. Your monthly payment goes down. Your total cost of ownership goes down. The benefit compounds every month you own the home. Your BuyerFirst agent will show you exactly what each option means for your specific loan amount and situation — before you make any decisions.
The 1·1·1 Program is built for three kinds of clients.
After that, the program moves from who it helps to how the savings work in practice. The 1·1·1 Program is built to keep the process straightforward, with one path for the home search, one path for the loan, and one clear credit applied at closing.
If you want to see how that lending side works in more detail, the mortgage help page breaks down the financing piece in plain language so you can understand the benefit before you make your next move.
Ready to see how 1·1·1 applies to your purchase?
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