Des Moines, IA · Member since 2015 · 45 posts · 28 votes
11y
Most common options, assuming your offer was based on the contingency of the inspection and not (as stated above) as an as-is property where the inspection is for buyer's knowledge only, is:
1) Back out. If the inspection reveals something crazy and you don't want to deal with it, i.e. mold, asbestos, termites... you can say no thanks
2) Re-negotiate the offer. If your offer of 100k was accepted and you were assuming a rehab cost of 15k and the inspection reveals a 10k foundation issue you can then make a new offer but it will have to be accepted by the buyer and they have the same right as you to say no.
3) Probably the most common is that an isolated something is found, such as a plumbing leak, and then it is either agreed that seller will pay to have it fixed or seller and buyer will split the cost to have it fixed.
Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2015 · 280 posts · 98 votes
11y
It highly depends on what condition of the house you as the buyer and the seller agrees upon. Do you both expect a move-in condition or agree it is as-is?
Regular sale, usually has negotiation room. Distressed sale, usually take it or leave it.
Technically speaking, seller may force a sale to happen if you decide not to buy the property Without a good enough reason specified in the contract, so they can take away your down payment etc. But at least in my area for distressed sales, it rarely happens.
I actually found this property through my local real estate agent's auto-search. It is a standard real estate contract, with one contingency being the property inspection by my representatives (realtor and property management). I expect it to be move-in ready, as it is already occupied by tenants.
Hopefully the inspection doesn't come up with anything material to the purchase, but it sure is nice to know I have options.
Des Moines, IA · Member since 2015 · 45 posts · 28 votes
11y
If that's the case then your representatives should include an actual home inspector. Neither a property manager or a realtor is close to a replacement for competent home inspector. A home inspector should be able to check wiring, plumbing, foundation, roof, raydon, among numerous other things. A realtor and property manager will walk through and make sure the lights work and that the carpet isn't stained.
Investor · Boyd, TX · Member since 2014 · 688 posts · 467 votes
11y
I have only done one buy with an inspection contingency. Usually I buy with a full walkthrough by myself and if there is a question I will have someone look at it before making an offer. The one I did with an inspection contingency was a personal house and there were some issues found on the roof and the back of the house. I negociated a credit and had the work done after I bought the house.
I couldn't agree more. I failed to mention it, but all three (inspector, realtor, and Prop manager) will be there for the walkthrough/inspection. I haven't bought a property without a property inspection, and wouldn't advise it.
Thanks for the input! What did the credit negotiation look like in terms of actual cash exchanging hands? Was it a reduction in total price, or an allowance provided for the repairs via cash at closing?
I don't have the good fortune of being able to physically inspect the property myself, but I am blessed to have a great team that I know on a personal level and have worked with on previous properties in the area.
Have you ever bought a property outside of your local area?
I actually found this property through my local real estate agent's auto-search. It is a standard real estate contract, with one contingency being the property inspection by my representatives (realtor and property management). I expect it to be move-in ready, as it is already occupied by tenants.
Hopefully the inspection doesn't come up with anything material to the purchase, but it sure is nice to know I have options.
Thank you for your time!
If it isn't sold as-is, then you can re-negotiate for potential repairs that are needed.
Investor · Albuquerque, NM · Member since 2014 · 160 posts · 35 votes
11y
Anyone following the thread,
The inspection yielded a few concerns, but mostly cosmetic.
There were a couple things that will probably need fixing in the next couple years like old in-wall heating units and a complete lack of gutters.
However, I chose to ask for only some of the cosmetic things be fixed, and here is my thought process:
It's currently 100% occupied, meaning everything is working "good enough". There are things that can be done to improve the condition of the property. If I chose to put some of the bigger ticket items on the repair request, I lose control of the quality of the repairs made. I know I can fix cosmetic issues if they aren't done well, but the bigger things will cost more money to re-fix down the road because they weren't done properly to begin with.
Given the price I'm getting the property at, I don't feel like the seller will feel inclined to do any major repairs that will cost them more money.
Therefore, we only asked for minor painting and replacement of cosmetic items that we saw needing attention.