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Who pays for repairs?

Selling my house and the buyers want me to fix a small hole in a door, some wood rot on the 3 seasons room and the fireplace cover. Do I have to fix those things?
Asked By Clive Mcjervit | Jericho, NY | 909 views | Selling | Created 2 years ago
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Novice
5 Answers
Karen M. Riscinto

Florida Lifestyle Realty Group, Inc.

(88)

Hi Clive,

It depends on how the contract was written. Also, keep in mind if the deals dies you will have to start all over and reveal those items up front. Get them fixed and move on.

Hope that helps
Karen
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Novice
2 Answers
Armid Metohu

Coldwell Banker Naples FL

You don’t have to fix them however you can credit the buyer based on estimate you receive from local licensed contractor.

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Novice
1 Answer
Tara Crossley

Key Real Estate Services LLC

(50)

Hello Clive, while you do not HAVE to fix those things, they seem pretty minor to get the deal done. Your buyer does not HAVE to buy the house if you do not fix them, and it could cost you more time and money in the long run. Have you thought about offering a credit that would be equal to the cost of fixing the repair items? If that is more attractive to you do that instead. It is always best to work with the buyer if you are able to.
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Novice
6 Answers
Edward Davis

Fathom Realty, LLC

From the information you have provided, it seems like these repairs are minor. I guess the question you may need to ask yourself is, "Is it worth it to let this deal fall through for minor repairs or could you negotiate with the potential Buyer to say offer credit based on estimates you or he receive from a licensed contractor, or just get the repairs done so as to let the selling of this property go through?"
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Semi-Pro
47 Answers
Glenda X Bozett

Michael Alexander Properties

(4)

All Repairs are negotiable between a buyer and a seller.
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Rising Star
16 Answers
Keith McKeever

Fathom Realty Central IL

(9)

There is no real easy answer here except to refer back to the purchase contract or addendums and see what it states about that. In my area of the country those could only be asked for up front with the original offer and not after inspections but that very likely may not be the case in your area. If in doubt about the contract you may need to seek legal advice.
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Novice
5 Answers
Jill Crofcheck

MDC Realty

(36)

All Repairs are negotiable between a buyer and a seller. Some items may prevent a buyer being able to purchase the home. This is something you may want to discuss with your realtor to better ascertain which items are in the sellers best interest to resolve.
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Novice
1 Answer
Melissa Doerr

Howard Hanna

(16)

In real estate everything is negotiable. If you don’t want to do the repairs, you can simply decline, or you can offer to compensate the buyers through either a price reduction or offer a credit at closing.

That said, consider how long you’ve been on the market, how much buyer demand there is for your house and definitely think about the merit of this particular buyers offer.

You probably don’t want to lose a sale over minor repairs.

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