What Are Reasonable Requests After a Port St Lucie Home Inspection?
You’ve just seen your dream home. It was love-at-first-sight. But just like any “relationship”, it’s only a matter of time before you see the flaws. A home inspection will bring these issues to light.
It is important to know what are reasonable requests after a Port St. Lucie home inspection in order to get the best deal for your home.
7 Reasonable Requests after a Port St. Lucie Home Inspection:
- Making the home up to code standard
- Addressing important issues on plumbing
- Fixing major electrical problems
- Addressing major issues on HVAC systems
- Roofing repairs
- Addressing mold problems
- Getting rid of termites and other pests
Making the Home Up to Code Standard
The main purpose of building codes is to protect public health, safety, and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures. Structural defects and foundation issues that can compromise a homebuyer’s safety must be fixed without the need for negotiation.
Addressing Important Issues on Plumbing
Major plumbing issues such as leaky toilets, leaky pipes indicated by brown ceiling stains, old water heater, and slow drainage can be a major inconvenience. This could make an unexpected dent in your budget if left unchecked.
If the home inspection revealed major plumbing issues, you could either request for a price reduction or ask the current homeowners to make the necessary repairs before turning over the house to you.
Fixing Major Electrical Problems
Electrical problems are a huge concern since they can lead to electrical fires and compromise your safety. One electrical repair that may need to be done is replacing the circuit breaker to meet the amperage needs of the home.
Addressing Major Issues on HVAC Systems
Around half of your yearly energy bill goes toward heating and cooling your home. Because of this, you need to make sure that the home you’re buying will have HVAC systems that are in good working order so you will not spend more than you need to on energy bills.
It’s important to know the age and maintenance history of the HVAC system of your new home. Air conditioners and heat pumps should be considered for replacement after around 10 years. Consider replacement for furnaces and boilers that are more than 15 years old.
Regular maintenance plays a major role in the life expectancy of your HVAC system. Ask the seller for any information they have on the maintenance and repairs performed on the HVAC systems.
It’s best to look for a home that is well-kept and with an updated HVAC so you won’t have to worry about asking for repairs.
Roofing Repairs
Living in a home with a leaking roof is not only annoying, but it's also a major inconvenience. It can ruin your furniture if left unchecked.
It can also be a source of embarrassment. Imagine having a party and then suddenly "plop!". Water drops from the ceiling drop onto your guest's glass of wine.
However, worst of all, it may compromise your safety and the integrity of the house to withstand the forces of nature. If the inspection calls for roofing repairs, it is reasonable to make a request to the seller.
Addressing Mold Problems
Common household mold can be found in all kinds of moist environments. It grows on food left too long in the fridge, for instance. In small amounts, it is not a problem. Unfortunately, it also grows in basements, attics, bathrooms, and almost any moist surface around a home.
Toxic molds can produce airborne byproducts that can damage the lungs and be a threat to one’s health. Addressing mold problems is definitely a reasonable request to make.
Getting Rid of Termites and Other Pests
According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage each year. A home with termite damage doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. See if you can negotiate a resolution with the seller to shoulder termite damage repairs. Another option would be to get quotes from licensed contractors and request an equivalent cash credit that can be applied to your closing costs.
You can make arrangements to have these issues fixed before closing the deal or leave them as is and possibly negotiate a lower price. However, there’s a thin line between acceptable requests and are-you-kidding-me requests:
7 Unreasonable Requests after a Port St Lucie Home Inspection:
- Cosmetic Issues
- Repairs related to your planned renovations
- Minor fixes under $100
- Failed window seals
- Loose fixtures and railings
- Dead outlets and non-functional light switches
- Minor landscaping repairs
Cosmetic Issues
Cosmetic issues may be an eye-sore, but they are not a threat to anyone’s safety. Especially if you made an offer even if you’re aware of these problems, requesting for the repair of a cracked tile, or having the interior repainted, might make the seller rethink his options and opt to look for another buyer, instead.
Repairs Related to Planned Renovations
You might be thinking about making some renovations to make the home a better fit for your lifestyle. However, asking the seller to shoulder some of these costs in the guise of a repair request can put the sale at risk.
Minor Fixes under $100
There may be so many things that need to be fixed on a home, but both you and the seller have very limited time to close a deal. When you ask for numerous little repair requests, the seller may feel overwhelmed simply due to the time required to make the repairs.
The seller’s agent may encourage him or her to pass on your offer if the requests become too many and unreasonable. If the repair is going to cost around $100 or less, just plan on taking care of it yourself after you buy the home, rather than risk losing the opportunity.
Failed window seals
Failed window seals are quite common in homes. Some people consider this a big deal while most home inspectors will tell you that a failed window seal is purely cosmetic.
The thing is, this is among the flaws that you’ll easily see when you visit a home. So, instead of mentioning this after the inspection, it would be better to discuss this with the seller before you make your offer.
If there are several windows that need replacement, account for that in your offer upfront. Tell the agent that the window failure is why you have made the bid at that figure. Don’t ask for something to be fixed that you clearly noticed before making your offer or was disclosed prior to inspection.
Loose fixtures and railings
Loose doorknobs, railings, and light fixtures are eyesores and in some cases, might also be unsafe. Some similar issues might be a big deal, but some may be minor repairs that you can do after purchasing the home. You will have to weigh if asking the seller to repair these things is really worth the risk of losing the deal.
Dead outlets and non-functional light switches
As much as possible, avoid requesting repairs for minor electrical problems. The electrical system in a house can be quite tricky. If wires come loose, or a part wears out, like a switch or a socket, it may no longer function properly.
Flipping a switch that fails to turn on or off a light can be inconvenient, along with dead outlets, but they are not necessarily signs of a major problem with the electrical system.
Your inspector will inform you if the electrical system in the home is safe to use and up to code. If it is a major problem, then it would be reasonable to ask for repairs. Otherwise, you might want to rethink if you want to go through another round of negotiation just for this.
Minor landscaping repairs
An unkempt yard may be an eyesore but if it does not compromise your safety, it would be a minor issue. Besides, you should have seen the condition of the yard before you made the offer and are fully aware of its condition. Requesting for repairs that are not urgent may force the seller to look for another buyer instead of closing the deal with you.
You have to remember that a home inspection should not be to create a checklist that itemizes every minor defect with the home and expecting the seller to fix all of them. If you’re willing to spend a little bit more for higher quality, you might want to look into a new construction home.
It’s also important to think about the quality of the repairs you’re requesting. Because sellers have one foot out the door, they may not be as focused on quality as you would be.
The home seller may also have different aesthetic tastes and standards than you. If it’s something important to be repaired or updated a certain way, you may want to negotiate for a repair credit instead of asking the seller to repair it for you.
Let me help you find a home in Port St. Lucie that fits your needs. Contact me today at 772-240-2589. I am Melissa Conrad, Jensen Beach FL’s top Realtor®.
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