It's common in Manhattan for new developments. Your REALTOR or real estate agent should have told you this. A builder who is willing to pay some of the closing costs for the buyer usually indicates their units are not selling well. You can always ask them to cover some of the closing costs or "give" in other areas. Williamsburg is an "up and coming" area of Brooklyn, so good luck.

It sounds like you may have stumbled onto either a builder who has run out of money or one who has the money to wait for a better offer. In either case don't feel trapped. Try to re-negoiate and if it doesn't work, take a minute to assess your situation. Do you have the money to cover the closing costs and not have it strain to tight on your budget?

You can always negotiate. It doens't mean you have to buy or they have to sell, but you can always attempt it.

It doesn't hurt to try Marc. The worst that can happen is for them to say no. If you have been working with an agent see if they can pull recent sales from this builder. This might give you an indication if sales have been slow. Do as much research as possible before asking so that you can present a clear and concise case for them picking up some of these closing costs.

Good luck!