If you plan to buy a house, have it inspected first. The inspector might find structural issues and other problems the seller failed to disclose that could influence your decision to buy. Home inspections can give buyers the upper hand during negotiations, too, as you can ask the seller to make the necessary repairs or drop the asking price to close the deal. The below advice is designed to help you be a better negotiator. 

3 Tips For Successful Repair Negotiations After a Home Inspection 

1. Get a General Contractor’s Quote

A home inspection is meant to make you aware of any problems. You’ll have to reach out to a general contractor, however, to find out how much the damage will cost to fix. Get this information before entering repair negotiations with the seller. With an estimate, you can decide how to approach negotiations. If the repair costs are minimal, for example, ask the seller to tackle the project. For extensive repairs, see if they will finance the work while you oversee it. 

2. Decide What Renovations You’ll Make

Whether you plan to renovate in the near future should factor into negotiations. Use this information to determine what repairs you ask the seller to perform themselves or give you money to cover. In some cases, repairs might not be necessary if the damage will be corrected or eliminating when you renovate. If the damage will compromise the functionality of the house and your family’s comfort until you renovate, request the seller drop the asking price. 

3. Ask For a Cash-Back Credit

As the seller is about to move out, they might not put much effort into ensuring high-quality repairs are made to your home. Instead of asking the seller to oversee the project, ask for the money to cover the cost during the closing process. You can ask the seller to credit you a specific amount of money to fix the damage unearthed during the home inspection. This way, you won’t have to worry about the seller hiring cheap repair specialists that perform shoddy work to keep costs low. 

For thorough home inspections to give you the advantage during real estate negotiations, contact the professionals at Twin City Home Inspections Inc. in Texarkana, TX. The licensed, insured, certified home inspectors are known for their fast turnaround time, providing clients throughout Texas and parts of Arkansas with same-day reports. Find out why the home inspectors are a buyer’s and seller’s choice online and read favorable reviews on Facebook. Call (903) 276-9566 for a free residential inspection estimate.