How can you negotiate a home inspection report with confidence?

It's important to review the report carefully to distinguish between major issues that can have a significant impact on property value or significant costs, such as structural or roofing issues, and minor issues that are more cosmetic. Try to negotiate on big tickets that affect the profitability of the investment, knowing that not all issues need to be resolved by the seller.

Agents should review the entire inspection report with their clients, and also allow the clients some time to review on their own. Questions about the inspector's findings or comments should be directed back to the inspector, not answered by the agent in an effort to boost the buyer's confidence over something they are uncertain about. Agents should not rely on the summary pages only because the summary of findings might have more to do with a warranty being offered, and may not address issues with as much detail or as many photos as the content deeper into the report.

I go through the report line by line and look for major issues when it comes to code related issues I talk the the buyer about them and what current code is and if the home was built prior to the implementation of the code. Also if there are health, safety or structural issues we definitely want them addressed

To negotiate a home inspection report with confidence, thoroughly review the report, prioritize the most important issues, and discuss them with the seller. Be prepared to compromise on minor issues, and consider getting quotes for repairs to strengthen your negotiation position.

Your realtor is typically a great resource when navigating inspection reports. If they're a seasoned professional they have seen many of these reports in the past, and can help you decide how to proceed if issues arise. It doesn't hurt to lean on a building professional either, if you have a trusted contact in the construction field as well.

Talk to your client about their concerns and priorities. Keep the buyer's budget and resources in mind, and be realistic if they are going to assume responsibility for repair costs after closing. When prioritizing the repairs in order of importance, sometimes it is helpful to group the repairs or recommendations based on the type of repair or service provider needed to do the job. Sometimes this helps put things into perspective, especially if you are dealing with a report with a lot of maintenance and repair issues. Safety hazards or concerns should be prioritized first, especially if your clients will be moving into the house right away. They are easier to get the seller on board with fixing than maintenance or age-related issues.

When reviewing an inspection report and negotiating repairs and concessions, put the report into perspective with the bigger picture and your client's intentions with the house. Separate repair issues from routine maintenance items, and from things noted as working fine but nearing the end of their useful life. A buyer purchasing an old house that they want to renovate and flip is unlikely to get far by blindsiding the seller by asking them to replace or upgrade old systems and repair everything in the report. Meanwhile, the buyer of a 5 year old home in a newer subdivision might not have a problem asking for everything in the report to be addressed since it's likely a small number of items to begin with.

When buyers or sellers have questions about an inspection report or need clarification about any of the inspector's findings, always defer to the inspector and never try to put their mind at ease by answering for the inspector or seek advice from unlicensed repair persons. Obtain bids from reputable and licensed service providers, and sometimes 2 or 3 estimates are needed to evaluate the best options. The prices of materials change frequently, as do labor costs, so even if you have had similar repair work done recently on another property, the best practice is to obtain a new bid(s) specific to the property and work that needs to be done.

A civil engineer is needed to check and give a report in hand. If the owner pays it, all you have to do is ask for it. If they don't want to pay for it, ask yourself if you can pay for it. It is absolutely worth it ????

Often times I find that my clients real estate agents don't negotiate as hard as they could. It is important that the homebuyers see and approve any negotiation before it is made to help insure you get the best price reduction possible if warranted.

It's important to be realistic but also don't short change yourself. The job of the inspection is to let you know any possible pitfalls of the home and to protect your investment. Don't feel like you are backed into a corner and be realistic about what you can afford to fix, what needs fixed, and what you need to ask the seller to pay for. If it becomes unmanageable don't be afraid to walk away from the property.

Assess the cost and either ask for credit or ask sellers to correct them. If closing time frame won’t allow the work to be done, credit is the best option.

Inspection issues are about more than just money. Correcting problems can mean time, hassle, disruption, risk as well. Saving either party from those headaches has value; so negotiating a price reduction/credit at close for the buyer to do the work, or holding fast to a sellers' price for delivering the house with issues resolved with paperwork are both reasonable outcomes.