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Inspections are not meant to be a second round of negotiations...

By
Real Estate Agent with ERA Worden Realty

...but they are fast becoming just that.  Why do buyers think that they can all of a sudden ask for 5000 dollars in repairs and allowances and concessions after an inspection?  One buyer recently asked for a $1000.00 reduction because there were 7 light fixtures without proper lamp shades and the inspector wrote that they recomended a licensed electrician make the nessesary changes.  I called the inspector and shared what his reccomendations brought about and his reply was simply that he had to cover his butt by recceomending professionals do EVERYTHING he finds wrong.

 

Inspections should be to discover whether or not there are any existing or soon to be existing structural threats to the home.  Not to nit pick every little thing that exists there from 20 years of living.  

 

With buyers so scarce and knowledgeable these days, why is it that professionals who all need ME to do MY job in order for them to get paid, keep trying to throw a monkey wrench into everything I work so hard to do?

 

 

Comments(4)

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Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

I completely agree.  The Texas contract are written as an "as is" contract, but it also allows a period of time for the buyer to run inspections so they know what they're getting into.  Most agents take this "Option Period" as the time they can ask the seller to repair everything on an inspection report, and that's ludicrous.  I tell my buyers that we're looking for structrual and big ticket items, Roof, AC, water heater, leaks, and foundation.  I tell them we're not looking for a faucet that drips, or light bulbs that are burnt out, or wall paper coming off the wall. 

The inspector most of my buyers use does put a lot of the little things on the report, but when he's going over the inspection with the buyers, he's really good at saying this is a $2 part at Home depot, or this will cost about $0.50.  It puts people at ease.

I had the seller last month and the buyers came back with 18 items on their list.  Ummm, I don't think so!  I wish more agents would educate their buyers about what they're looking for in a house when buying it.

Oct 03, 2006 05:56 AM
Jon Ernest
Spotlight Realty - Brookline, MA

Sorry Glenn, I disagree

Pre-listing inspection, I missed that one, good call Paul

Oct 03, 2006 08:05 AM
Ben Kakimoto
Keller Williams Greater Seattle - Seattle, WA
Seattle Condo Specialist

I agree to a point - it's not to address minor, non-structural issues.  But, it's still part of the overall negotiation.   It's not uncommon for sellers who anticipate issues from an inspection to keep firm to their list price knowing they will need to make repairs or credit the buyers as a result of the inspection. 

In Washington, buyers can walk away from the deal just for disapproving of the inspection report and they don't have to tell the sellers what specific issues they're disapproving.  It's an easy out for the buyer.  I would think sellers would be more than willing to negotiate even minor items rather than to just let the whole deal fall apart.

Oct 03, 2006 08:21 AM
Glenn Carey
ERA Worden Realty - Auburn, ME
It is very interesting to me how different areas in the US have different trends and real estate commonalities.  The market seems to have taken a turn for the better the last month or so, and being busy certainly does give all of us less time to focus on the negative...
Nov 01, 2006 05:59 AM