Home Buyers and Sellers Often Have Very Different Perspectives When Negotiating Repairs After A Home Inspection

Welcome! This blog tracks the real estate market in the Central Shenandoah Valley, featuring market data and analysis, an exploration of common buying and selling questions, and candid commentary on all things real estate.

If you are interested in discussing any of the topics on this blog, or the details of your specific real estate situation, call or e-mail me!

Newer Post

home

Older Post


Home Buyers and Sellers Often Have Very Different Perspectives When Negotiating Repairs After A Home Inspection
By Scott Rogers • December 6, 2019
While not always the case, a general rule of thumb is that... On home inspection repairs... SELLERS usually have a short term fix mentality BUYERS usually have a long term fix mentality ...and, successfully negotiating agreed upon repairs after a home inspection can be a smoother process if we reflect on the difference in those perspectives. Inspector: Several roof shingles are missing, and the roof is past its life expectancy. Seller: Replace the shingles. Buyer: Replace the roof. Inspector: The air handler coils are dirty and the heat pump is reeaaallly old. Seller: Clean and service the heat pump and air handler. Buyer: Replace them both! These are a few extreme examples to start to show the differences in perspectives on repairs. Again, the important thing here is to recognize that a buyer and seller look at home inspection reports differently. A seller typically wants to minimize their repair costs while keeping the home sale on track. A buyer wants to make sure that any previously unknown property condition issues are addressed in a manner that is likely to prevent further near term maintenance needs in those areas. Both perspectives (minimizing repair costs, addressing previously unknown property condition issues) are reasonable, most of the time, depending on how it plays out related to specific deficiencies of a home. So, what is a buyer to do? A few thoughts.... Consider asking for a credit in lieu of repairs so that you can be in charge of how the repairs are made. If you are asking for repairs to be completed by the seller, be very specific about how you want them to be completed. Understand that it is not always reasonable to ask a seller to make a repair with a 10 year future in mind. Be willing to compromise with the seller to find a way to move forward on the home that you are, presumably, still excited to buy! Receive updates from HarrisonburgHousingToday.com via e-mail: Enter your e-mail address: Recent Articles: Home Sales Soar In First Quarter of 2021 in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County Home Values Might Escalate Even More Quickly If Homes Closed In Five Days Instead Of 45 Days Should You Waive An Inspection Contingency? Is The Local Real Estate Market Frothy? Tips For Would Be Townhouse Buyers In A SUPER Competitive Market Some Would Be Home Buyers Are Deciding NOT To Buy Given The CRAZY Housing Market Ryan Homes May Be Starting To Help Some Housing Inventory Issues In Rockingham County Is My Home Value The Same As The Tax Assessment Or Zestimate? Prices Are Skyrocketing At Camden Townes Obsessing Over Real Estate Is SO Repetitive These Days
Have any questions? Contact Scott Rogers at 540-578-0102 or scott@funkhousergroup.com
Based on information from the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Association of REALTORS® or its MLS, for the period Jan 1, 2000 through Apr 18, 2021 (unless otherwise noted).
Comments (0) or Subscribe