Request Repairs
The sixth common mistake that most home buyers make is either not requesting repairs or requesting too many repairs. If you have an inspection contingency in your purchase contract, you have the right to request that the sellers make repairs as recommended by your home inspector.
These repair requests are supposed to be limited to “material defects” that were not visible during your showing or not disclosed by the sellers. Although the definition of “material defects” is not provided in the contract, it clearly states that the “Buyer agrees that minor repairs and routine maintenance items are not to be considered material defects with regard to this contingency.”
Translation? Don’t sweat the small stuff!
Here are some examples of material defects:
- structural problems
- roof leaks
- plumbing leaks
- unsafe electrical
- HVAC problems
- termite damage
- high radon levels
Don’t be afraid to ask the sellers to repair these items if they show up on your inspection report. You don’t want any costly repairs right after you move into your new home. But try to resist the temptation to ask the sellers to do more repairs than necessary. If you ask for too much, the sellers may refuse to do anything for you at all.
As you can see, knowledge and experience is essential at this stage of the process.
You need an agent that you can trust to negotiate on your behalf.