I have had a number of home inspection issues pop up all in a row over the past couple of weeks. Lots of attic mold, some termites, improper electric work........the list goes on and on. They seem to come in bunches.
In one case my buyer decided to walk and in the other cases my buyers are asking for repairs or concessions. In the case where the buyer walked, the Seller asked if they could work it out. In the cases where we are asking for repairs/concessions, the Sellers seem put out that we're asking for repairs or concessions. I wonder....wouldn't they rather the buyers try to work it out with them rather than walking away?
I'm not a fan of asking for a "laundry list" of repairs after a home inspection. No home is perfect and some smaller issues I would chalk up to ongoing maintenance for the new homeowner. Some issues are evident at time of the showing and figured into the price. I try to get buyers to focus on the big picture - but cannot guarantee what they are going to do after the inspection.
But major issues, not evident at time of the showing and ones that are health or safety concerns, well, then I think it's pretty reasonabile for the Buyer to ask the Seller to repair or give a concession. If attic mold or termites are not enough to scare away a buyer, then I would think it would be easier for a Seller to negotiate those items rather than breaking the deal and putting the home back on the market and disclosing those items to new buyers.
It has turned into a Seller's market. That doesn't mean a Buyer has to move forward on a home that has inspection issues.
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