Answers by Alex Gutierrez

What to expect during a home inspection: It’s less about what you do before, and more about what you do after. ⸻ Step 1: Choose your inspector • You can use someone your agent recommends • Or find your own and ask questions (especially if it’s your first home) ⸻ Step 2: During the inspection • You can attend, but it’s usually best to show up toward the end • Let the inspector focus, then have them walk you through the main issues ⸻ Step 3: Understand what matters You’re mainly looking at: • Major systems (roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical) • Safety issues • Big repair items The report may look overwhelming—this is normal. ⸻ Step 4: What happens after (most important) Now you decide what to do based on: • Condition of the home • Estimated repair costs Your options: • Ask the seller to fix issues • Ask for credits (to help with costs) • Or walk away if it doesn’t make sense Bottom line: “In my professional opinion, the inspection is there to give you clarity, not to scare you. No home is perfect—what matters is understanding the condition and deciding what works for you. I’ll help guide you, but the final decision is always yours.”

Seller wants +$20K for furniture. You don’t want it. Option 1: Work with the deal • A) If you like the furniture and it fits your budget, you can include it. • B) Try negotiating the furniture price (ex: offer less and meet somewhere in the middle). • C) Agree to the $20K, but try to offset it by negotiating the home price down. Option 2: Separate it • Ask to buy the home without the furniture. • Seller may say no, but it’s still worth asking. Option 3: Walk away • If the terms don’t make sense for you, you can walk. • There will always be other opportunities. Big Picture “In my professional opinion, the goal is to make sure the deal works for you—not just to win the house. The final decision is always yours, and I’ll help guide you based on what aligns with your goals.”