How to Negotiate Repairs Following Your Home Inspection

Home BuyersBefore you commit to buying a home, you should always have a home inspection done. A professional home inspection can not only identify areas of concern and items that need to be repaired, but also give you more leverage at the negotiating table.

If your inspector finds that the home does need some work, you shouldn’t necessarily back out of the deal altogether. Instead, you may be able to negotiate repairs with the sellers.

Think about what needs to be fixed before you move in.

Unfortunately, you probably won’t be able to get a seller to fix every issue your home inspector uncovers. There are very few homes that are in perfect condition, and some basic wear and tear is to be expected.

Consider the repairs that your home inspector recommends, and decide which items absolutely need to be repaired before you move in. For example, if there’s an electrical issue that constitutes a safety hazard, you should ask the sellers to remedy the issue before you agree to purchase the home.

Send the seller a list of repairs you want done.

Sit down with your real estate agent and generate a list of repairs that you would like to see done before you sign on the dotted line. The seller might not agree to all of them, but they’ll probably agree to most repairs as long as they’re within reason. Many sellers are willing to swallow these extra repair expenses if it means they can secure a reliable buyer for their home.

Ask about repair credits.

There might be a few items on your list that would be impossible for a seller to do without racking up substantial costs. For instance, if the home’s subfloor in disrepair, it might not be possible for the seller to replace it without ripping out the old carpeting and replacing it, which would cost a lot of money.

In cases like these, you should ask to receive a credit on the price of the home so that you can tackle the job later. This will help you save money and give you the freedom to make repairs on your own.

To schedule your next home inspection, give us a call or contact us online today for your free quote.