Repair Requests Buyers Should Avoid When Negotiating with Sellers

Repair Requests Homebuyers Should Not Ask of Sellers

Introduction
When purchasing a home, especially in a competitive market, it’s crucial to be mindful of your repair requests. While some repairs are necessary and valid, others can be seen as unreasonable or nit-picky, potentially derailing negotiations. As a homebuyer, understanding which repairs not to ask of the seller can help keep the transaction smooth and fair for both parties. Here are a few repair requests to avoid asking of the seller.

1. Cosmetic Upgrades
While it may be tempting to ask the seller to repaint a room or replace carpeting that’s not your style, these requests are typically considered cosmetic and not essential. If you want to make cosmetic changes to a home, it's better to wait until after the purchase is complete. Focus on major issues, not personal preferences.

Example: Replacing wallpaper or painting walls a different color.

2. Minor Repairs and Wear-and-Tear Issues
Homes naturally accumulate wear and tear over time, like minor scratches, slightly scuffed floors, or small dents in the walls. Asking a seller to fix every minor issue may come off as overly demanding. It's normal for a used home to have some signs of wear, and these minor repairs are typically easy and inexpensive for the buyer to handle after closing.

Example: Fixing small nail holes, touching up paint, or minor carpet stains.

3. Landscaping Requests
Unless the landscaping is severely neglected or there are safety concerns, it’s unreasonable to ask the seller to trim bushes, mow the lawn, or plant new flowers. Landscaping is highly subjective, and many buyers have their own vision for the yard. Asking for landscaping repairs is often seen as a low priority.

Example: Requesting the seller to re-sod the lawn or trim hedges.

4. Outdated Appliances
If the home’s appliances are functional but older, avoid asking the seller to replace them. Appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers may not be the latest models, but as long as they are in working condition, this type of request is typically unreasonable. Budget for upgrades yourself if you want newer appliances after you move in.

Example: Requesting the seller to upgrade to newer kitchen appliances.

5. Code Upgrades
Older homes might not meet today’s building codes, but that doesn’t mean they are unsafe or require immediate updates. Asking the seller to bring an older home up to modern code, like upgrading electrical wiring or adding insulation, is often unreasonable unless it poses an immediate safety risk. Most homes are sold as-is with respect to code compliance unless there is a legal requirement for the upgrade.

Example: Asking the seller to replace older wiring to meet current electrical code standards.

6. Replacing Outdated Fixtures or Materials
Just because a home has outdated light fixtures or countertops doesn't mean the seller should replace them before selling. These aesthetic choices are personal preferences, and requesting upgrades for purely aesthetic reasons is likely to be rejected. Save these upgrades for after closing when you can design the home to your own tastes.

Example: Asking the seller to replace an old-fashioned chandelier or countertops.

Conclusion
When making repair requests, focus on critical safety or functional issues, such as structural damage, plumbing problems, or significant electrical concerns. Cosmetic changes or minor fixes can be addressed once you take ownership of the home. Keeping your requests reasonable will help ensure smoother negotiations and show the seller that you’re serious about the purchase. By knowing what not to ask for, you can set yourself up for success in your home-buying journey!