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We are in inspection negotiations on a house that is about 5 years old. Several random things came back on the inspection but the one of main concern is that all the banisters/railings are loose. You can literally move them back and forth. We couldn't move in until they are fixed.
We want to have them fixed ourselves to make sure it is a complete and long term fix as opposed to some caulking and nail gun work. We have an estimate and it isn't a ton of money but the railings probably have to be taken apart.
Do you think it is reasonable for the seller to offer a credit for this problem? They don't live there currently.
Wow, you are lucky if loose railings are the biggest concern after a home inspection.
You might as well try for credit from the seller, but certainly wouldn't call this a dealbreaker if they don't give you anything toward it.
Depends on how badly you want the house. I'd definitely ask for them to give you a credit for the cost of the repair, but the question is- if they don't give you the credit, are you prepared to walk away from the deal?
I assume it's not a lot of money, less split 2 ways
In the whole picture of buying a house probably worth hundreds of thousands, not worth it.
If I was the seller, I would think you are trying to get out of the contract.
When you buy a house, you are worried about foundation cracking, roof leaking, furnace old/failing.
IMO, wobbly balisters are no biggie and not worth the fight, except to nickle and dime the seller.
You want to do it, to be sure it's done to your expectations.
If I was the seller, and thought you were sticking it to me, I would insist on fixing it under me.
This way I would be sure you are not just trying to get money and not fix them.
stick / counter stick
All this just holds up the sale for the negociations or the fix.
It's not really a deal breaker, but there really isn't any harm in asking for it either. If the seller refuses, then it's up to you to decide what you are going to do. I'm just going to assume upfront that this was the only issue and the repair is substantially less then what the house is costing. Basically you aren't going to waste the deal over this, so it's just you asking for something. If you have the time and inclination to argue over it, then go for it, but it is not something the seller "needs to agree to".
Thanks for the replies. We are pursuing less than half of the things on the inspection. If the sellers were living there with their kids, I doubt the banisters would be an issue. I was hoping it would be covered under the 10 yer new home warranty. It just seems ridiculous that a very pricey newer construction home would have this problem.
you can ask for a copy of the warranty. i had a home built by k hovnanian and the warranty spelled out what was and was not covered.
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