General Home Inspections * 101 Ranting

This is a "ranting blog"!  Ranting due to three recent inspections with three addendums to purchase contracts with 12 to 20 items to be repaired or replaced by selling clients.   MY QUESTION to all of you.....are you kidding me?  A general home inspection is a contingency in 99% of the real estate contracts agreed to by buyers & sellers.

Buyers are provided a written State of Ohio Property Disclosure document completed and signed by the sellers of the home.  Buyers have viewed the property and acknowledged the disclosures provided by the sellers.  Realtors need to be explaining to their clients what a home inspection is about.  The inspector needs to be looking for defects in the systems and product ie: the home.  Folks you are not buying a new product!!  Buyers there will always be maintenance items that show up in the inspection ie: caulking, a loose toilet in the bathroom, a broken drawer handles, etc.  Buyers you need to decide if the items listed in the inspection report alter the value of the property or is it damaged to the extent you need to renegotiate the sale price? 

Honestly, did you not walk the back yard and feel the ground is uneven?  Did you not see the missing/broken drawer handle? 

Certainly ask for the furnace to be checked by an HVAC contractor if inspector makes that recommendation.  But asking for the gutters to be cleaned?  Asking for carpet to be replaced that is torn in the bedroom closet?  Asking for a credit for the scratches in the kitchen sink? 

My point with this ranting blog........have the home inspection, learn how to maintain the home better by the recommendations of the inspector,  look for major defects that affect the use or value of the home you want to live in,  and be reasonable if the need is there to renegotiate the already accepted contract.  Did you purchase the home at a fair price?  Did the seller make concessions to help cover your closing costs, points, and prepaid items?  Did the seller agree to leave appliances she had not planned on leaving with the home?   Reasonable negotiation....for both parties to the contract.  Not reasonable to nickel and dime the seller with minor repair items.  

Our marketplace is changing and many times buyers no longer control it.  Realtors are stating lack of inventory, working to price homes more competitive and working for the betterment of their respective client.   Is reasonable too much to ask? 

Leading the Way Home,

Carol Murphy

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland

Avon Lake Homes for Sale