Home Inspection - Nitpicking? (accepting, percentage, price, property)

[tarheelcoach]

I had my inspection done today, and the inspector found some things, but they are nothing major.
How much do you ask the seller to fix? Do you list every little thing that the inspector found, or do you just ask them to fix what you consider important? For example, the water fixtures could use some more caulk around where they come out of the wall. Its a fix I could do in 10 minutes, so do I not even bother? Same thing with a couple of missing shingles - commonplace in hurricane land - no big deal.

What's considered nitpicking?

[kevinm]

You should not be required to fix things that are normal "wear and tear". A missing shingle or water leak is different. Ask for a $500 credit for everything or have them throw in a 1 year home warranty for free.

[tarheelcoach]

They're already paying for a warranty.

[wCat]

It's common where I am to ask for a credit that is in proportion to what needs fixing. Personally, I'd rather take the money and do it myself to be sure it's done to my liking. But...the seller maybe a handy person and feel they could fix the items for less than the credit. Just be sure you have the repairs checked closely. I've seen some pretty bad bandaid fixes.

If it's a seller's market where you are, nitpicking could lose you the house.

This happened to a client recently....and the buyer was getting a great deal. Real Estate is super charged with emotions when it gets down to the final days. It sounds like you're doing a great job of keeping things in perspective! Good luck....and come back to tell us how things go for you!!

[mlv311]

Inspectors are always going to find something. Fortunately for you, they are minor things. If the market is soft, you can request a small allowance. The worse that can happen is that the sellers reject all your items and then you have to decide if you still want to buy the property, which it sounds like you would anyway. Good luck.

[CouponJack]

It depends on many factors. The buyers who purchased our house were extremely nervous about the purchase and wanted everything just right. Throw in an overzealous inspector and you have a punchlist a mile long.

I think its a matter of being reasonable. If its all minor, I would give the seller the option of fixing it themselves or providing a reasonable credit.

One way or the other it shouldn't be a dealbreaker IMO.

[shellytc]

Well, I will tell you that buyers right now are pretty much asking for "most" of the repairs. It would not be unusual for them to request the roof shingles replaced, but maybe accepting the faucets as is if they felt they would do a better job caulking. I am seeing most folks feeling like they can get most of the items cleared up before they purchase.

Shelly

[jimj]

From the seller side, I usually know what maintenance items I'ved deferred and if an inspector finds them I'll either fix them or or most likely give a credit as long as the credit isn't a crazy figure. If it costs me $500-$1000 to get the deal done then I say "when do you want to close"?

From the buyers side, if none of them are major (and from what you listed they aren't) I would rather just take a credit equal to what I estimate to be fair cost of repair. I figure I'm not going to be in a hurry and will not be motivated to cheap out or cut corners on the repair just to get it to close.

[palmcoasting]

What's your contract say? Are they responsible for a certain dollar amount or percentage of the purchase price for repairs? Is that for structural defects only? You certainly can ask for money off or repairs done regardless of what the contract says...never hurts to ask...but in my state it doesn't let you out of the contract if it's not stated in there.