Real estate team concerns

[L. Brown]

I am under contract for my first home, which is a duplex. I found an attorney and realtor that I felt comfortable with and seem to know the process well. I have some concerns about the advice I’m getting, though. During attorney review, the seller wanted to put in a contingency that said if items were not up to code they would not fix it and that if issues with the house weren’t a safety issue they wouldn’t address it and it couldn’t be a reason for me kill the deal. My attorney thought this was fine, but I didn’t like this so I asked her to push back and strike this. She did, and the seller agreed to remove this clause from the contract. They were trying to get the upper hand.

In a separate instance, the inspection showed some significant issues. My realtor said he spoke to the seller (who is a realtor) and she said she would give me a $5k credit. My realtor thought I should take the deal right away, but I wasn’t sure how much it would cost to get the repairs done. He said he didn’t think I needed to bring my GC in, but I decided to push and do it anyway. It seems like the repairs will cost $7k- not far off, but more than the $5k the seller was offering.

In both of these cases I am wondering if I have an attorney and realtor that are looking out for my best interest. What do you all think? (PS- they do not know each other, I found them independent of one another)

[Mike Cumbie]

Hi @L. Brown

In the first instance I agree with your lawyer. They were just posturing and needlessly. So you find a safety issue to kill it for  that if you decide. Anything could be considered a safety issue. "The bent up piece of laminate between the rooms is a clear trip and fall hazard, I am killing the deal". The second alot of factors come into play. What the issue actually is. Your GC's price vs another. Also credits are offsets generally and not "Full replace".

That being said if you feel their experience isn't inline with yours then replace them.

Good Luck in whatever you decide.