Home Inspection & Negotiations for Home Buyers
The Offer is Signed, But the Deal Isn't Done Yet
For home sellers, the moment when the price, terms, and contract signatures are in place brings a wave of relief. It’s a milestone worth celebrating—but it’s just that, a moment. What comes next can be a turning point in the deal: the home inspection period.
This phase is one of the most common points where contracts fall apart. It’s also where having a Certified Negotiations Expert on your side makes a critical difference—again.
Understanding Buyer Reactions to Inspections
Most homeowners believe their property is in great shape. Maybe a few touch-ups or minor repairs are needed, but it’s certainly not a brand-new home. That’s a reasonable perspective—until the buyer receives their inspection report.
Home inspection reports are often filled with items that aren’t up to current code, recommendations for replacing aging systems, notes on electrical grounding, grading concerns, non-functioning elements, and more. For many buyers, this can feel overwhelming—especially when the inspector leans on the side of alarmism, something we’ve encountered time and time again.
This is where experience matters. Buyers frequently submit repair requests listing almost everything noted in the inspection report. However, a well-versed agent understands:
— Not all code updates require action—a home built to 1980 standards isn’t expected to meet today’s 2025 standards.
— Some items are standard wear and tear, not deal-breakers.
— Distinguishing true issues from overblown concerns can save a seller thousands.
With the right agent, negotiations become a strategic process rather than a costly concession.
Smart Sellers Get Ahead of the Inspection
Rather than being blindsided by an inspection report, why not get ahead of it? One of the most valuable steps in our selling strategy is a pre-listing walkthrough, where we can help identify many potential red flags before a buyer’s inspector ever steps foot in the home.
With decades of combined experience in real estate, decades of experience with property inspections, and decades of home remodeling experience, we know alot of what sets off alarms for inspectors and buyers alike. By addressing small, easily fixable issues upfront, we can help minimize the list of concerns on the buyer’s report, transforming what could feel overwhelming into a standard, manageable process.
This proactive approach helps:
— Reduce buyer demands for repairs
— Prevent unnecessary negotiations over minor issues
— Keep the deal on track and moving smoothly toward closing
Negotiating After the Home Inspection
Once a buyer completes their inspection, the next step is reviewing their objections and repair requests. If the requests are minor, addressing them may be an easy way to keep the deal moving. If they’re more extensive, that’s where expert negotiation comes into play.
We focus on:
— Validating the buyer’s concerns—not all issues require immediate action
— Applying real-world costs to repair requests—preventing exaggerated estimates.
— Negotiating strategically—finding common ground without unnecessary concessions.
By staying disciplined, informed, and strategic, our goal is simple: keep your deal intact and get you to the closing table without unnecessary stress or expense.
Access to Trusted Professionals
Whether it’s before listing or after the inspection, having the right resources at your fingertips can make all the difference. We provide our sellers with a full list of trusted contractors, electricians, plumbers, and repair technicians—giving you options to handle repairs on your terms and within your budget.
Selling your home is a journey, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way—from the first listing appointment to a successful closing. With expert strategy and negotiation, we help you protect your bottom line while keeping the deal on track.
