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'A mountain out of a molehill': After 75-page inspection, first-time homebuyer wonders if he should resubmit new offer, current homeowners chime in

What would you do if you finally were able to afford a down payment on a new home, so you submitted an offer, but then got the home inspection back and some pretty pricey repairs need to be done? None of the repairs are dealbreakers, but they are annoying and costly. What should your next move be?

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Posted by Elna McHilderson
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  • That is the predicament Reddit user @vagabrother is currently facing. He submitted an offer for a home, he and his family are excited to be homeowners and live in their own place. However, the inspection came back and it's not as cut and clear as they would like. They need to replace five or six windows completely, and some of the floor in the kitchen due to water damage. As stated previously, these are not dealbreaker repairs, they're simple and not a big deal when it comes to homeownership. However, it is costly, somewhere close to $10k of repairs. 

    So what should they do? Should they resubmit a lower offer, subtracting what they would have to spend on the repairs? Should they keep their offer, but make it clear it is only if they fix those things? They are afraid that the seller will simply, move on to the next offer. It seems to be a dog-eat-dog world out there when buying a home these days, so what should be their next move? Well, @vagabrother's first move was to ask Reddit users on the subreddit r/FirstTime HomeBuyer and now current homeowners are chiming in with their advice. 

    Want to read some more first-time homebuyer drama? Check this feud out between previous homeowners and new homeowners over pool supplies. 

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  • 1
    "What is appropriate to have the seller fix before closing? Do I resubmit my offer?" m 92245
    Via Simon Kellogg via Flickr
  • 2
    Windows need replacing- who should pay? Got my 75 page inspection report back last night. Due diligence ends in a few days. -Windows need replacing due to improper seal in the panes. No idea what this would cost. -Slight water damage to subfloor next to kitchen, really only seems to be one plywood
    Via vagabrother
  • 3
    panel. This could be problematic. No current leaks, but evidence of a past kitchen sink leak. What is appropriate to have the seller fix before closing? Do I resubmit my offer? We love this house and would hate to lose our chance to close just because I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. What do y'all suggest?
    Via vagabrother
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  • 4
    nofishies 59m ago . Unless the seller has zero other options, they're not paying for you to replace functioning windows that have a blown seal. At least not in my area 49 ↓ Reply ↑ Share vagabrother OP. 57m ago This is what I'm really wondering but I don't know how to ask. Do sellers ever fix anything? Do I resubmit an offer reflecting some of the costs associated with repairing aspects of the house? My real estate agent is a little useless at this point and I'm frustrated with her. She seems in
    Via nofishies
  • 5
    2022Housing Marketlol. 2h ago How many windows are we talking? Water around a sink is much more forgiving than water on a random external wall. At least you know where it probably came from. Reply vagabrother OP • 2h ago I wish I could give dimensions and exact number. I'd say it's essential that we replace 5 or 6 windows. 41 ↓ 3 Reply Share Share
    Via 2022HousingMarketLol
  • 6
    PTPTodd 1h ago Is the improper seal leading to leaks? Or does it just reduce their insulation ability? ↑ 3 ↓ Reply vagabrother OP 1h ago They didn't do a blower door during inspection so I'm not sure. It was flagged in the inspection though. 2凸 Share Reply ↑ Share
    Via PTPTodd
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  • 7
    Practical-Ad-615 49m ago We had a 100 page inspection report with things that needed to be fixed (cracked pipe under the first floor bathroom, leak in roof due to missing flashing, floor registers not properly resealed after new flooring was put down by the sellers prior to us looking at the house, etc). Our realtor recommended in lieu of repairs we go back and ask for concessions to cover the repairs ourself and we did. Be prepared to share your inspection report though if that matters to you 4
    Via Practical-Ad-615
  • 8
    bababooye4549 • 1h ago . I live in the Midwest the rule of thumb for replacing windows is $1000.00 per window opening. 41 ↓ Reply Share ...
    Via bababooye4549
  • 9
    black_eyed_susan • 20m ago Instead of asking them to replace you can instead ask for a concession. The seller may still say no then you decide if you still want to go forward. In general the seller can't cancel the sell because of the requested concessions. They can offer a lower number or nothing at all. Concessions are a bit nicer for the seller because they don't have to find someone in a short time frame to do the repairs. And you get to know the repairs were done right because the seller wi
    Via black_eyed_susan
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  • 10
    Wired Headset 39m ago This doesn't affect energy efficiency. Or if it does, it's very marginal. This is only cosmetic. 423 Reply vagabrother OP. 36m ago Gotcha thank you 41 ↓ Reply Share Share
    Via WiredHeadset
  • 11
    nofishies . Well, this is 1h ago 1. Not a need, but a want, unless they are leaking 2. Some thing that is usually noticeable visually before you buy the house, so as often considered to be things, you should know when you place an offer. sellers will often fix things that are unknown when you place an offer, and we have a large impact on other buyers if they try to go back on the market Go talk to your agent, but in my market ( which is a very competitive market, so I may be used to having less
    Via nofishies

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home buying advice real estate agent fixer upper reddit advice first time homebuyer failblog hoa firs time homeowners house market homebuyer advice home repairs buying a house homeowner advice homebuyer advice diy home improvement real estate new homes Reddit housing market homeowners

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