How to negotiate repairs after a home inspection
The inspection is leverage — but only if you can put a number on it. Here's how to turn a list of findings into a concession.
Lead with priced, sourced items
"The roof looks old" invites an argument. "The roof is at end of life — here's a $14,200 replacement range and the comparable that supports it" invites a check. Sellers concede to specifics, not vibes. Group your asks by what actually costs money: roof, foundation, electrical, HVAC, sewer.
Pick your instrument
- Credit at closing — usually cleanest; you control the work after.
- Price reduction — simplest, but lenders may re-appraise.
- Seller repairs — only for safety items, and get receipts + permits.
Separate safety from cosmetic
Anchor on the few four- and five-figure safety/system items; let the small stuff go. A focused, defensible ask of $18k lands better than a shotgun list of 60 items that reads as buyer's remorse.
Bring receipts
An Expresstimate gives you exactly this: each defect priced with its scope and the code it implicates, rolled into a severity-weighted total and a fair-offer range you can hand to the seller's agent.