When buying a home. After inspection, what could be in a "list of repairs"?

Question

And do sellers usually fix the repairs

Answer 1

Anything you want changed or repaired could be in the list but it opens a new round of negotiations. The seller may not want to pay for everything you want. Of course I would demand that anything found not to your building codes be fixed, other items are up to you to figure how important they are to you.

Answer 2

First of all, it depends on what type of inspection you have done. If you mean a typical home inspection (vs termite inspection, mold inspection, wetlands, etc.) then most of the inspectors we've worked with will tell you that they are visual inspectors. They can't inspect what they can't see. They will crawl under and over the house, test appliances, water faucets, furnaces, chimneys, etc. and give you a report of the condition of each. So to answer your question "what could be in a list of repairs" the list is probably limited to those things. As to whether or not sellers usually fix the deficiencies, that's negotiable. I find that most sellers will do minor repairs, but your agent may need to do some negotiating around this issue. As the buyer, you may be able to subjectively approve or disapprove the inspector's report. This gives you power over the deal, making the seller somewhat more prone to making some repairs or lowering the price according to a bid to do such repairs. Your Realtor can do this for you.

Answer 3

You'd rather have them give you a credit at closing than fix it themselves. Who knows what quality of work they'll do when they know they just have to make it look good enough to get you to sign off. Take the money and make sure it is done right.

As far as what will be on the list, it's usually a ton of small stuff. windows not caulked properly, worn weather stripping, out dated or improper venting systems for furnace/stove, cracks in walls, minor electrical problems, etc. Generally nothing that costs more than $100 to fix, but it does add up if there is a lot of it.

Sometimes there will be major problems - foundation, roof, or other structural problems. If there are major issues like this, you may want to consider looking for another house.

Also, if the place has any popcorn ceilings, insist on having a sample of the popcorn tested for asbestos if the house is more than about 15 years old. It's fairly common for older popcorn to have dangerous levels of asbestos in it and that is really expensive to fix!

Answer 4

It depends on what you ask for. I always tell my buyers before hand we are not to make a laundry list of little things. You have your inspection for your knowledge, and to find major problems (structural, roof, boiler, major plumbing or electrical).
This is not the place to ask for a leaking faucet, running toilet, ground fault outlet that does not trip ect.
If you stick to things of "major deficient condition that adversely effects the sale price" you should be fine.
Nothing annoys a seller more that a buyer who uses the home inspection to pick the home apart.
Good Luck,
RE Agent,
Remax
The guy above me says they will give you money off like its a requirement.
It is not you agreed to the price, and do not expect them to reduce the price after. Too many times do I hear buyers say " I will offer full price, and get money off after the inspection." This is not what they are for , they are not a negotiation tool, there should only be a negotiation if need be, not because you feel you should get more money. This is the number one misconception, and i for one do not let buyers take advantage of my sellers. I also do not let my buyers try it either.

Answer 5

no sellers usually give you money off your final purchase price. they may fix some cosmetics but if its major stuff like you need a new foundation, or there is pyrite in your foundation <=== check that out definately, then they will give you money off or the difference of, off your final agreement price. but def. get an inspection!

The guy below me is the typical agent scumbag. Just remember one thing.... EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE! real estate is a negotiation, nothing is set in stone. The higher the price, the more of a commission the agent gets. If you are not satisified, do not sign the papers. If there is extensive damage, make them fix it or get money back to fix it!