Are you on the hunt for your dream home and frustrated to find that everything seems to need some work? Or did you recently get a home inspection report that packed a bit of a punch? Either way, you don’t necessarily need to worry just yet.
The reality is that most homes need a repair or two, with the average cost coming to $3,150. Roughly 25% of homes need “serious repairs” and 45% of homes are markedly less safe due to needed repairs.
Plenty of homeowners inherit needed repairs, but that doesn’t have to be you! Did you know that, as a buyer, you’re allowed to request that certain issues be resolved before you sign on the dotted line?
The sellers may not be willing to gut-renovate the kitchen, but they just might be open to some reasonable requests. Let’s explore what to request for repairs after home inspection, so you can feel that much safer and more confident upon move-in.
You don’t want to request any repairs too early, but you also don’t want to wait until it’s too late. A good rule of thumb is to wait for the home inspection to wrap up.
Home inspection: A thorough assessment of a home’s condition. In a home inspection, a professional inspector will take a look at the floors, ceilings, walls, windows, doors, and more. They’ll record notes and place photos of any issues in their home inspection report. Note that the buyer typically pays for the home inspection, and it usually costs a few hundred dollars.
An inspection that doesn’t turn anything up will give the buyer peace of mind. A not-so-good inspection can bring a different kind of clarity. Either way, buyers need to know what they’re getting into with an investment this big and the home inspection is a huge help!
Is there a railing missing from the front steps? Or maybe a pest infestation?
If your home inspection report noted any health or safety issues, you can consider requesting reasonable repairs.
These systems are key to the enjoyment and use of the home. If neglected, they can also become safety hazards.
If your home inspection report mentioned issues with any of these four key components, you can consider requesting reasonable repairs.
Problems with a home’s foundation and structure can be difficult and expensive to fix. They also can become more and more dangerous every moment they’re left unaddressed.
If your home inspection report cited any foundation or structural issues, you can consider requesting reasonable repairs.
Keep in mind that you’re far more likely to negotiate successfully when competition is low.
Are you in a highly competitive market? Where buyers will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars just for the chance to scrap a home in disrepair? Unfortunately, in these cases, sellers are much more likely to just turn to the next-highest bidder.
But if the home isn’t as in-demand, if the home has been sitting on the market, or if it’s off-season? You might have better odds.
A seasoned real estate agent can help you read the room and determine when it might be best to request repairs and when you might be better off just keeping quiet.
Speaking of keeping quiet, there are a few repairs you might want to let slide, no matter how absent competition might be.
Things like paint color, wood stain, and landscaping can all be easily changed by the new owner. It’s probably not appropriate to request the seller make any of these kinds of fixes.
Maybe the front door is squeaky, or a kitchen cabinet handle is MIA. Again, these small-scale issues can easily be fixed when you move in so it’s probably not appropriate to ask the seller to address them.
Is there a shed or freestanding garage on the property? If so, it’s usually best to avoid requesting fixes here. Focus your attention on the home itself, unless something is really wrong.
Whether you’re just starting the search for your dream home or already grappling with a surprising home inspection report, don’t let necessary repairs get you down!
Of course, there are some instances where repairs can really pile up and it might make sense to bow out of a purchase. But, in other cases, the seller may be ready and willing to help!
Just make a point to study up on what’s reasonable and what’s not, consider working with a trusted real estate agent, and simply make the ask. After all, you know how the saying goes: The worst they can say is “no!”