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Who pays for repairs?

Selling my house and the buyers want me to fix a small hole in a door, some wood rot on the 3 seasons room and the fireplace cover. Do I have to fix those things?

Asked by Clive McJervit | Jericho, NY| 12-20-2022| 1,083 views|Selling|Updated 3 years ago

Answers (9)

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Karen M. RiscintoNovice5 Answers
Karen M. Riscinto

Florida Lifestyle Realty Group, Inc. · Tavares, FL

(88 reviews)
Hi Clive, It depends on how the contract was written. Also, keep in mind if the deals dies you will have to start all over and reveal those items up front. Get them fixed and move on. Hope that helps Karen
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12-22-2022 (3 years ago)··
Armid MetohuNovice2 Answers
Armid Metohu

Coldwell Banker Naples FL · Naples, FL

You don’t have to fix them however you can credit the buyer based on estimate you receive from local licensed contractor.
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12-20-2022 (3 years ago)··
Tara CrossleyNovice1 Answer
Tara Crossley

Key Real Estate Services LLC · Pawcatuck, CT

(50 reviews)
Hello Clive, while you do not HAVE to fix those things, they seem pretty minor to get the deal done. Your buyer does not HAVE to buy the house if you do not fix them, and it could cost you more time and money in the long run. Have you thought about offering a credit that would be equal to the cost of fixing the repair items? If that is more attractive to you do that instead. It is always best to work with the buyer if you are able to.
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12-21-2022 (3 years ago)··
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Edward DavisNovice6 Answers
Edward Davis

Fathom Realty, LLC · Schertz, TX

From the information you have provided, it seems like these repairs are minor. I guess the question you may need to ask yourself is, "Is it worth it to let this deal fall through for minor repairs or could you negotiate with the potential Buyer to say offer credit based on estimates you or he receive from a licensed contractor, or just get the repairs done so as to let the selling of this property go through?"
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12-22-2022 (3 years ago)··
Glenda X BozettSemi-Pro47 Answers
Glenda X Bozett

Michael Alexander Properties · Port Jefferson, NY

(4 reviews)
All Repairs are negotiable between a buyer and a seller.
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02-07-2023 (3 years ago)··
Karen M. RiscintoNovice5 Answers
Karen M. Riscinto

Florida Lifestyle Realty Group, Inc. · Tavares, FL

(88 reviews)
Hi Clive, It depends on how the contract was written. Also, keep in mind if the deals dies you will have to start all over and reveal those items up front. Get them fixed and move on. Hope that helps Karen
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12-22-2022 (3 years ago)··
Jill CrofcheckNovice5 Answers
Jill Crofcheck

MDC Realty · Dunkirk, MD

(36 reviews)
All Repairs are negotiable between a buyer and a seller. Some items may prevent a buyer being able to purchase the home. This is something you may want to discuss with your realtor to better ascertain which items are in the sellers best interest to resolve.
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12-27-2022 (3 years ago)··
Melissa DoerrNovice1 Answer
Melissa Doerr

Howard Hanna · Buffalo, NY

(16 reviews)
In real estate everything is negotiable. If you don’t want to do the repairs, you can simply decline, or you can offer to compensate the buyers through either a price reduction or offer a credit at closing. That said, consider how long you’ve been on the market, how much buyer demand there is for your house and definitely think about the merit of this particular buyers offer. You probably don’t want to lose a sale over minor repairs.
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02-06-2023 (3 years ago)··
Karyn FloresNovice1 Answer
Karyn Flores

Compass · Huntington, NY

(29 reviews)
It really depends on what the repairs are. Seller is responsible for termites or termite damage. Otherwise everything is negotiable
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04-06-2026 (3 weeks ago)··
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