5 Repairs That You Must Make After a Home Inspection
By Katelynne Shepard
January 29, 2025
You've found the perfect home, and you're already picking out paint colors and cabinet hardware. Before you decide on Simply White vs. Chantilly Lace, it's important to ensure the home you're buying is structurally sound and won't give you any surprises after closing.
This May Also Interest You: What to Expect When They're Inspecting: Your Home-Inspection Checklist
What Is the Purpose of a Home Inspection?
A home inspection service aims to identify current or potential issues with a home. A home inspector goes through every room of the house, looking for evidence of problems. They also review the home's mechanicals and look for problems with the roof or water intrusion.
Keep in mind that home inspectors are generally not allowed to move furniture or remove anything to look behind walls or underneath floors. The inspector may still miss something, which is why it's always important to have some reserve funds for unexpected repairs when buying a home.
Is It Normal to Ask for Repairs After a Home Inspection?
Asking for repairs after the home inspection is a normal part of the negotiation process when buying a home. Many buyers present their offer as contingent on the home inspection, meaning they can back out of the deal if any major issues are uncovered. It's common for sellers to agree to make repairs or offer repair credits — money off the purchase price so the buyer can make the repair themselves — to ensure the deal gets to closing.
What Are Some Repairs That Should Be Done After a Home Inspection?
A home inspection almost always finds something. Small issues due to normal wear and tear, such as worn carpeting or older appliances, are usually left for the buyer to deal with after closing. However, typical repairs after a home inspection that can be part of negotiations include the following.
Roof Issues
A leaking roof can cause thousands of dollars in water damage, creating a breeding ground for mold. If the inspection identifies an active leak or problems such as loose or missing shingles, it's a high priority to have them fixed before moving in.
Foundation Problems
All houses have some settling, and small cracks are often normal. However, large cracks, especially those across interior walls or vertical cracks in the basement, are signs of a larger foundation issue.
Mechanical Repairs
A home inspector assesses the electric panel, tests the outlets and looks for signs of water leaks from the plumbing. Any major issues found in this category should generally be fixed by the seller before closing.
Pest or Mold Remediation
Termite and mold inspections are different processes than general home inspections in most states. If you elect to have these inspections, any issues found should be remediated. Then, a professional should certify that the issue has been resolved before you move forward with buying a home.
Painting
While this might seem low on the home inspection repairs list, it can be an important fix if the seller wants to be able to accept an offer with an FHA or VA loan. These loans require more in-depth inspections before the lender approves the home, and peeling or chipping paint is an automatic fail in most cases.
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Does the Seller Have to Make the Repairs?
While negotiating after a home inspection is common, the seller isn't required to make home inspection repairs. The seller always has the right to refuse, which means the buyer either has to decide if they want to go through with the purchase and fix the issues themselves after closing or pull out of the deal and find another property.
Most sellers are prepared to make some repairs, but if you see any notes that the property is being sold as-is in the listing, it means the buyer is responsible for any issues. This is common when the house is being sold as part of an estate or the seller is already aware that there are issues with the home and is prepared to accept a lower sales price in exchange.
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