Should Home Sellers Be Allowed to Complete Repairs?

Tammie- this is another reminder that real estate is local!  You came up with a good solution!

                Thanks Tammie White for my ah-ha moment.

It is always a good idea for home owners to take care of repairs before listing a house.

Good morning Tammie. This is a tough one. I think the homeowner should have completed the repairs before the inspection when this wouldn't have been an issue.

Good morning, Tammie White good topic.... with our listings, we have licensed tradesmen do the work .....we never want to hear about any of the issues in the future.... our contacts are very reasonably priced and do the jobs in their off time....

Great post!  Glad I didnt miss it thanks to Kathy's summary this week!

I can understand the buyers wanting a professional doing the repairs, but I would have thought some exceptions could have been made for things like the smoke detector.

You came up with a great solution!

Tammie - that was a good solution.  Why pay a licensed contractor of do something very simple.

You supplied a creative solution.  Good job!

Good afternoon Tammie White,

Excellent solution to the problem. In Austin the buyer's inspector charges $50-$75 to reinspect so would be an even added advantage to the sellers here!

It's all negotiable.  It says so in our contracts.  But why the sellers don't do the repairs themselves prior to listing is always beyond me.  I know what needs to be done in my house . . . they know too!  

Hello Tammie, great solution.  Some repairs are easy and if they aren't electrical or plumbing may easily be done by a home owner.  Some agents automatically request a licensed contractor do the work for liability reasons.  Allowing the buyer to reinspect is a great option and in this case the buyer was willing to pay for the additional reassurance.  Another story to share at your next listing appointment to encourage the seller to do a pre-inspection.

I just faced the same issue and here too, no licenses are required so you dont know how when hiring an contractor. My seller insisted and we came up with a similar plan. 

Tammie, sometimes things get complicated when they don't need to be.  You came up with a great solution.

There are times when I receive repair request with the stipulation that they be completed by licensed workers. If they are simple repairs I usually put the buyers at ease by stating that if the items are not completed appropriately they will be found out on the re-inspection. 

Recently I had sellers just say no.  No we will NOT hire a contractor to do these two minor things.  Like you, no contractor wanted the job and the buyers finally accepted the repairs.

Tammie White that was a smart suggestion - saved everyone something. Money for sellers and peace of mind for buyers.

Tammie, for us, it's case-by-case. Sometimes a credit at closing, sometimes it HAS to be done before closing (i.e., smoke alarms, which in this state the seller HAS to take care of) and I have a ready list of reasonable contractors who will do the work correctly the first time.

Loved this topic and glad that Kathy Streib let us know about your interesting post!

That is very creative solution that should solve both buyer and seller needs.  Great job

YES  home owners should be allowed to fix some items but not all depending on the category. A handyman can easily fix many of the simple items. We will request a 'licenced contractor' for electrical, plumbing, roof, hvac etc.  But all the simple stuff.....just about anybody can replace a smoke detector.  Excellent solution I might add - very smart!