As a Home Inspector, I find a wide variety of issues. Most are fixable, most are relatively minor. Not always though.
I have, on occasion, found major structural issues that had never been disclosed. I call them out for what they are.
How do you resolve the issue brought up in the Home Inspection report?
with the buyer?
With the seller or listing agent?
with the mortgage underwriter?
When we get a Home Inspection Report, we either write a list of repairs requested accompanied with a copy of the inspection report or void the contract.
It's up to the home buyer.
Walt Fish
Marquette, MI
Right Tim, but if your a buyer agent, you have to hold their hand sometimes and have to know how to explain to them what repairs they can reasonably expect the seller to fix and what ones are just typical things. In my expereince, there are times when a buyer has unrealistic expectations.
Lenn, If it's repairs requested by the buyer, some may be significant defects or safety concerns as defined in the purchse agreement, but others may not be. If the buyer, rightly, asks the seller to install additional insuation, and they refuse, would you void the contract?
Walt Fish
Marquette, MI
John, I guess what I am fishing for is thoughts from various Realtors on how they make that decision. The purchase agreements in the state of Michigan generally have language in them pertaining to the home inspection contingency. Some, though not all, spell out the sellers right to cure a major deficiency, or an issue found that would prevent a reasonable person from occupying the home. But, it doesn't say anything about other deficiencies or repair items.
I find that some of the buyer's realtors I work with, don't know how to naviage the process of dealing with the home inspection findings. The idea that the seller must fix anything found or the buyer walks, would be a breach of contract (I believe...but I'm not a lawyer). I'd like to see more realtors sit down with the buyers and explain; well, Bob, the home is 90 years old. Yes, it has some deferred maintenance, and we can certainly press the seller to fix that leak on the front porch. However, demanding they fix that old dishwasher with the broken wand may be something they won't agree to. Wha'ts that Bob? your way or the highway? I think as you're realtor, I should help explain what expectations are reasonable....
