It is no secret that the home inspection is a crucial part of the home buying process on Chicago’s North Shore. And perhaps one of the most important steps on your journey to becoming a homeowner comes just after the inspection— negotiating repairs!
What many North Shore buyers don’t understand is that negotiating can be done long before you even get to the closing table to sign the contract and it’s important that you consider the following ways to come away with the best possible deal.
Below are three ways you can negotiate repairs after the home inspection in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or the surrounding North Shore communities:
Ask for a credit for work needed
If you put yourself in the seller’s shoes for a moment, you will quickly recognize that they are ready to move on and likely do not want to do any repair work on their home prior to leaving. You can ask for a credit when you close to complete the necessary projects yourself. After all, you will probably give much more attention to the work as the new owner than someone exiting the property would.
Think ahead
Regardless if you plan to renovate the kitchen after you move-in, the repairs the space may need are still up for negotiation! For instance, the floor tile may need replacing, but if you have an overhaul on the books, you don’t really mind. No matter— you can always ask the seller for a credit to fix any problems in the home as they will help to offset your total closing costs.
Don’t go overboard
Keep in mind that the home inspection could come back perfect and in that case, there is nothing to negotiate. If you insist on negotiating repairs anyway, in an attempt to make back what you didn’t get in the initial price negotiations, you could risk turning off the seller and them moving on to the next buyer. Listen to your real estate agent about places you can negotiate, but don’t go so far where you risk canceling the deal.
The homebuying process in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or the surrounding North Shore communities can seem overwhelming, but remember that I am here to negotiate on your behalf and work for you! Give me a call today with any questions you may have about buying a home this year.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
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