Buying & Selling Real Estate
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback
Updated over 7 years ago,
First time home buyer duplex ...what would you ask seller to fix?
Hey everyone, I'm a first time home buyer under contract for a duplex which I'll live in and rent the other side. I just got the inspection report today and I'm wondering what you would have the seller fix before we close? I keep hearing from my lawyer and agent that "Per the contract, the requests should be limited to major defects as opposed to routine maintenance or minor issues." But I see several things that aren't necessarily major, but should absolutely be addressed (like a broken gate, broken garage door opener, screens torn out, doorbell not working/there, etc.). If I'm paying hundreds of thousands of dollars, shouldn't it be the way I want it?
Based on your experiences (as both buyers and sellers)...what's reasonable for me to request?
thanks in advance!!
Exterior
- The walkways were cracked and should be monitored for action.
- Sections of the aluminum siding and trim were damaged and should be replaced.
- There was weathered wood trim throughout that should be replaced as necessary.
- We recommend installing window well covers over all window wells.
- The left-side gate was damaged and should be repaired or replaced.
- Some of the hose spigots were inoperable and this should be corrected.
- There was some minor cracking throughout each driveway that should be repaired as necessary.
- There was storage in the 1070 garage that obscured some areas from visual inspection.
- The Genie overhead garage door opener was not working properly and should be serviced or replaced.
- The garage door opener was plugged into an extension cord and a dedicated outlet should be installed.
- We recommend installing downspout extensions to divert drainage away from the foundation of the home.
- Each overhead garage door was damaged and should be monitored and repaired or replaced as necessary.
- The patio screen door was badly torn and damaged by the dog and should be replaced.
- The left side storm door was missing and should be replaced as necessary. The front storm door was detached from the closer device and needs to be repaired.
- The front doorbell was inoperable and should be replaced.
Basement
There were a few cracked floor joists in the 1070 basement that should be repaired or replaced as necessary. One was located in the right rear section while the other was in the left rear section.
Plumbing
- Some of the hose spigots were inoperable and this should be corrected.
- The hall bathroom tub was slow to drain and should be cleared by a plumber.
Electric
- There was a double tap observed inside each main electrical panel that should be further evaluated and separated by an electrician.
- The kitchen outlet(s) were not GFCI protected and should be updated. All exterior outlets and outlets within six feet of a water source should be GFCI protected.
- The bathroom exhaust fan was loud and should be serviced or replaced soon.
Alarms and Detectors
There were no carbon monoxide detectors in the home and one should be installed within 15 feet of every bedroom.
Interior
- Several windows were quite weathered and worn
- The glazing was cracking om most windows
- Several windows had weak or failing sash supports
- The left side rear window did not close properly
- There were previous moisture stains on the right rear bedroom ceiling that were dry at time of inspection, but should be monitored for action. The bathroom ceiling was also stained and damaged from moisture.
- There were some window screens that were torn and should be replaced.
Living Areas
- The counter top was burned and damaged and should be replaced as necessary.
- The floor had minor damage throughout that should be monitored for action.