What can I ask for after a home inspection?

Yes, that's a completely reasonable ask — pet damage beyond normal wear and tear is fair game in a repair request or credit negotiation, and cat urine in carpet padding is one of those things that's expensive enough (often full carpet + pad replacement, sometimes subfloor treatment if it's soaked through) that sellers usually understand why you're asking. A few tips on how to actually get this handled well: - Get a specific, itemized estimate from a flooring contractor rather than asking for a vague dollar amount — 'replace carpet in bedrooms 2 and 3, treat subfloor, $X' gets taken more seriously than 'give us money for the damage.' - Decide whether you want a credit at closing or an actual repair before close — credits are usually cleaner since you control the contractor and timeline, but ask your agent what's more common with this particular seller/agent based on how the rest of the negotiation has gone. - Don't bundle this into a huge laundry list with every minor inspection item — isolate the pet damage as its own clear ask so it doesn't get lost or used as a bargaining chip against smaller things. - If the smell is bad enough that it might indicate subfloor saturation, get that checked specifically — sometimes what looks like 'just carpet' turns into subfloor replacement, and that's worth knowing before you finalize the number. Bottom line: this isn't an unreasonable request at all, just make sure the number you're asking for is backed by an actual quote, not a guess.

Hi Sonja, Since you are in California, you have a specific tool for this: the C.A.R. Request for Repair form (Form RR). On it you can ask the seller for any combination of: - Repairs completed before closing - A credit toward your closing costs - A price reduction The seller answers on a companion form (RRRR): agree, counter with a partial, or decline. Everything is negotiable until you sign off. Two things specific to your cat situation: 1. Scope it like a contractor, not like a shopper. Cat urine does not stay in the carpet. It gets into the pad and often the subfloor, which needs enzyme treatment or sealing before new flooring goes down, or the smell returns on the first humid day. Get a flooring quote that includes pad replacement and subfloor treatment, and use that number for your credit request. A credit is usually smarter than asking the seller to do it: you control the contractor and the quality, and it does not delay closing. 2. Know the difference between disclosed and discovered. If the seller disclosed the pet damage before you offered, your position is softer, because the theory is you priced it in. If the inspection revealed it was worse than disclosed, document that difference (photos, inspector's notes) and anchor your request to the gap. One caution: when you sign the buyer release section of the RR to lock in the deal, you are typically removing your inspection contingency, so make sure the agreed credit actually covers the fix first. I am a real estate professional serving Los Angeles' South Bay, including the Palos Verdes Peninsula. If you would like help pressure-testing your request before it goes out, or an introduction to a strong Inland Empire agent from my network, just ask. Zoltan

Sonja, after a home inspection, you can ask for repairs, a reduced purchase price, or seller credits to cover future costs, focusing on major structural, safety, or system issues like HVAC, roof repairs, electrical hazards, or plumbing problems. While no repairs are legally mandated, you can negotiate for fixes that ensure the home is safe and functional, or request that the seller pay for repairs via a Seller Credits negotiation Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

If there were cats in the home and have peed on the carpet; that is an odor that is distinct and probably noticeable when your toured the home. My guess is that the list price has taken certain things into consideration. If the home inspection, disclosed additional issues and/or safety concerns, then you can go back (during your inspection period) and request for any repairs or concessions. If you are beyond the inspection period timeframe, you may not be in a position to renegotiate. Each state, and real estate contract/purchase agreement are different. Your Realtor is your advocate and can help you navigate through your contingencies per contract and the disclosures that were provided by the seller.

There are times when issues are disclosed prior to you making your offer that can not be asked for even during the due diligence / home inspection period. For example -- "Any damage caused or created by the Sellers "pets" will not be repaired or replace." When something is prior disclosed -- it is accepted as a known defect and if not readdressed when offer is submitted and agreed upon. This is only an example and pet urine really is a whole different aspect. Many times pet owners can not smell their pets...

You sure can! Anything is negotiable. Put that money toward closing costs credit if you can and that’s less you have to bring to closing table!

Hi Carlos! You can either ask for repairs or credit towards your closing cost or buy down your interest rate. It all comes down to negotiating to get you the best deal!