Whether you’re buying or selling a home, home inspections are a critical part of the process. Orlando home inspectors help potential buyers know what risks or potential repairs the home will come with, and let sellers know what issues must be repaired before they can sell their home.
Home inspections can uncover a few different issues, but at the end of the day, all of these issues will either be non-essential or mandatory. As can be expected, mandatory repairs must be completed before a house sale, but if you don’t know which repairs are mandatory, then this can be confusing.
What Fixes Are Mandatory After a Home Inspection?
If a home is listed “as is”, then technically, no repairs are mandatory, and buyers shouldn’t expect to negotiate for a repair in their contract. Homes listed “as is” are sold with all their faults, and when choosing to purchase an “as is” home, buyers understand this.
Otherwise, the only mandatory fixes after a home inspection are ones that ensure the house is safe. Most states require that homes be sold in a liveable and safe condition, so any repairs that need to happen to ensure that will generally be required. Additionally, many lenders will require a home to meet certain safety requirements before approving a loan.
Depending on your state, the mandatory repairs will differ. Most states require sellers to equip the home with smoke alarms, ensure that all plumbing is up to code, and have a seismic shutoff valve on the water heater.
In the majority of cases, mandatory fixes will only be imposed by the closing contract or be something that a buyer requests to have fixed. Outside of ensuring the house is safe to live in, lenders and state laws will not require the buyer to make any repairs that the home inspector lists.
As most buyers want to quickly sell their current home so that they can afford to buy a new one, they are willing to agree to some fixes after a home inspection and before the sale closes. These repairs are often requested by the seller and are included in the closing contract.
If part of your closing contract includes certain repairs, they will need to be done. However, as these repair requests will vary from buyer to buyer, you can’t be certain what exactly will need to be fixed. There are some repairs that are mandatory or requested more frequently.
Common Mandatory Fixes
Lenders may request mandatory fixes to ensure a home meets through requirements. These include:
- Water damage
- Mold and mold damage
- Electrical, structural, and potential fire hazards
- Building code violations
- Faulty plumbing, electrical, or HVAC systems
- Roofs needing to be replaced immediately or within three years of the purchase
- Pest and insect infestations
- Foundation issues, including cracks
- Chemical contamination, including lead-based paint and asbestos
Common Buyer-Requested Fixes
Before a home inspection, you may be requested to sign a contract. In this contract, it will state whether buyers can request cosmetic fixes or solely structural defects and safety issue fixes.
In either case, there are some issues that buyers are more likely to request after a home inspection:
- Roof replacement if it’s old
- Pest and insect infestations
- Septic and plumbing issues
- HVAC issues
- Rotting fixtures, such as countertops, cabinets, or shelving
What Comes After the Home Inspection?
Depending on the home inspection report, buyers may request certain fixes or revoke their offer. If the buyer and seller can reach an agreement on what issues should be fixed before closing, then the next step is to determine who will pay for these repairs.
In many cases, the seller will agree to take care of any major issues or concerns. In addition, they’ll typically pay for the work. However, some buyers may be willing to buy the house without the repairs so long as the seller agrees to lower the price by the amount of the estimated price for the repair.
Conclusion
Home inspections are a crucial part of the home-buying process. After an inspection, there will usually be a bit of negotiation on both ends. At the end of the day, any state mandatory fixes must be addressed before the sale, while everything else is up to the buyer and seller to work out.