Triplex In Need of an Immediate Roof -- Financial Question

[Greg Todrank]

I am looking at a triplex that will need to have the roof immediately torn off & replaced.  I am cutting into my reserves pretty deep for this purchase, so I don't have the cash to replace the roof.

I have proposed a $25K cash back clause with my agent.  I'll pay full ask and the seller would give me a check for $25K at closing.  Since it is the same to the seller as a price reduction, hopefully they won't care either way.

However, I did get a call from my agent about putting the money in escrow.  I'm not sure who is pushing that (lender maybe?).  Maybe she is just trying to get ahead of possible questions.  My take is that if I were stupid enough to burn thru the $25K on something else, that is my problem.  Why lock me into the roof.

Has anyone else had this situation?  Is it normal?  Like I said, it wouldn't bother me to proceed this way -- since it really needs a new roof -- but just interested in the logic.

TIA.

Greg