If you're thinking about selling a home, you might wonder what repairs might need to completed before you even list your home for sale. However, what repairs should you do? What if there are things that need to be repaired that you don't even know about? The good news is that in almost all real estate transactions, especially when the buyer is financing the purchase via a mortgage, the bank will require the buyer to get a home inspection.
After the buyer schedules their inspection, the inspector will come out, inspect your home and then create a report. The report will be sent to the buyer. Keep in mind, the seller will never be responsible for every item listed on the report. Generally, the repairs fall into the following categories: things that most likely need to be fixed, things that typically are not required to be fixed, and items that are up for debate.
Another thing to note: lenders will have a list of required repairs that will need to be completed on the house before they will release the funds to finance the buyer's purchase of the home. While it can vary by lender, according to the article from Realtor.com, common lender-required repairs include, "...costly structural defects, building code violations, or safety issues, sometimes in the attic, crawl spaces, and basement, and those related to the chimney or furnace.An inspector will also check whether your septic system and heater are in good condition and verify whether there's a possible radon leak or the presence of termites (homeowners tend to have many questions on these topics). Other conditions of the home that an inspector may report on include those related to the roof, electrical systems, and plumbing lines and the condition of your HVAC system."
How are Repairs Negotiated?
Keeping in mind the required repairs from the buyer's lender, after the report is reviewed by the buyer and their agent, they will then submit repair requests to your agent and then repairs will be negotiated from there.
Bottom Line?
It is always important to consult with a REALTOR® before you tackle any repair projects on your home, big or small, before listing your home. They have the market expertise and advice to give you on what is necessary and what is not, potentially saving you a lot of time, money and hassle upfront! And of course, when representing our buyer or seller clients, we are there every step of the way to walk them through the repair negotiation process!
Source:
https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/handle-repair-requests/?identityID=5b61da44b0162aca25000040&MID=2021_0112_NL_Multi_Article&RID=5526101382&cid=eml_promo_Marketing_NonPRSL_MultiArticleNL_cons.12326722_2021_0112_NL_Multi_Article-article2-BUY