When it comes to negotiating for a home, most buyers think only in terms of price, closing costs, and maybe the appliances. But what if the seller has a car sitting in the driveway—and you want it too? It may sound like a far-fetched ask, but real estate deals can include nearly anything, including vehicles, furniture, and even boats. In today’s competitive market, buyers are getting creative and sellers are becoming more flexible. So yes, you can ask for a car—but it pays to know the right way to do it.

Getting a Car While Negotiating For a Home

1. It’s Legal—But It’s Not Typical

Including a car in a home sale is completely legal, as long as it’s clearly spelled out in the purchase agreement. Just like negotiating for appliances or a hot tub, a buyer can ask to include a car as part of the deal. However, this isn’t standard practice, so it may raise a few eyebrows with the seller or their agent. Most real estate professionals will recommend handling the car as a separate transaction to avoid complications with the home loan. That said, if the seller is motivated and the buyer is serious, it’s totally fair game.

2. Cash Buyers Have More Flexibility

If you’re buying the house with cash, the whole transaction becomes much simpler—including adding personal property like a car. Mortgage lenders typically frown on mixing personal property with real property in the contract. It can complicate the appraisal and underwriter approval process. But when there’s no lender involved, buyers and sellers are free to structure the deal however they’d like. That means a car, a golf cart, or even a riding mower could be up for grabs.

3. You’ll Need to Handle the Paperwork Separately

While the homeowner might agree to loop in their car with the overall sale of the house, the paperwork will have to be handled separately. This includes a bill of sale, title transfer, and whatever registration is required by the state you reside in. All of this will ensure that the car is legally yours. So, while the sale might be wrapped up in the negotiation of your home, not having separate documentation will come back to bite you.

4. The Car Can Be a Bargaining Chip

If a seller is having a hard time offloading a vehicle—or simply doesn’t want to deal with the hassle—they may be open to sweetening the home deal with it. On the flip side, a buyer might use the car as leverage to meet a higher asking price. For instance, if the home is listed at $400,000 and the buyer only wants to offer $390,000, throwing in the seller’s $10,000 car might just close the gap. It’s all about what each side values and how much they’re willing to negotiate.

5. Appraisers Don’t Care About the Car

If you’re financing the home, be aware that your mortgage lender won’t factor the car into the home’s appraised value. Appraisers are strictly focused on the property itself—land, structure, and attached fixtures. Including a car in the purchase contract can muddy the waters, potentially causing the appraisal to come in lower than expected. This can delay or even derail the financing process. That’s why real estate agents often advise writing up the car deal separately, even if it’s negotiated at the same time.

6. Tax Implications Could Surprise You

There may be tax consequences depending on how the deal is structured. If the car is included in the sale price of the home, property taxes could reflect a higher value than the house is actually worth. For the seller, it might also affect capital gains taxes. And for the buyer, registering the car and paying sales tax on its value is still required—no matter how it’s packaged in the deal. It’s best to consult a tax advisor or attorney before finalizing anything unusual in your offer.

7. Some Sellers Might Appreciate the Offer

Believe it or not, some sellers are thrilled to include their old vehicle in the sale just to avoid the hassle of selling it themselves. This is especially true for estate sales or homeowners who are downsizing or relocating cross-country. If the car isn’t in great shape or doesn’t serve their needs anymore, it could be a win-win scenario. In these cases, bringing it up in a respectful, non-demanding way could open doors both literally and figuratively.

It’s Bold—But Not Impossible

Asking for a car during home negotiations might seem strange, but in real estate, everything is negotiable. The key is approaching it with professionalism, clarity, and a willingness to handle the transaction correctly. While not every seller will say yes, you never know until you ask. Just make sure you’re protecting your interests—and not letting the extra perks distract you from the actual value of the home.

Would you ever ask for a car while negotiating for a home? Or have you ever thrown in extras to close a deal? Share your thoughts or wildest negotiation stories in the comments!

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