As greater Hartford area real estate agents, Tom and I deal with home inspection issues on a daily basis. When we navigate and negotiate through this complex part of a Connecticut real estate transaction, I often wonder why home buyers and sellers get so bogged down in this process. 

Real Estate is Emotional

I think the answer is pretty simple – real estate is typically an emotional process.  Remember, we’re dealing with homes (definition: the place in which one’s domestic affections are centered; emotional attachment)  not houses (definition: residence for human beings; no emotional attachment). This is the part of the negotiation where the home seller may be leaving a long loved residence and a buyer may be excited (and yet nervous) about the decision they have made to purchase “this” home.  

Selling a long loved home only to hear that the buyer’s home inspector has written a whole report detailing  problems with your home is disheartening. After all, you have taken good care of the home:

• The roof is new.
• The exterior is freshly painted.
• The kitchen has been remodeled.
• You even put in all new windows a few years ago!

It is hard to hear that the new buyer thinks something is “wrong” with the house. The first response may be, ”Well, if they don’t want to buy the house, then we will just have to start showing it again.”  Our job is to help the Connecticut home seller understand what (if any) of the concerns are realistic and need to be addressed, or if the home buyer is over the top with requests for repairs that are unrealistic. 

Correction or Upgrade? Deciphering Your Connecticut Home Inspection

Buyers in this market are more cautious and tend to worry about whether or not they are making a wise decision. Combine that natural instinct with this truism: most everyone they know is telling them some sort of home buying horror story. The home buyers are excited to make this important move, but also nervous about it…and the home inspection becomes the point in the process that can really increase their nervousness.

So – what should a buyer really expect from a home inspection? Things like safety issues – if there is a hazard in the house it should be taken care of.  Big ticket items are also typically addressed - either in the price of the home or a repair made prior to closing.  The roof, the well or the septic system can be expensive to replace or repair and will be a big concern to a buyer if they do not function properly. Doors that are squeaky, scuff marks on cabinets, replacing outlet covers – not so much.

Things like asking a seller to paint the entire interior of the house because the buyer does not like the colors and requesting that the 3 year old carpeting be replaced because the buyer saw a few marks on it in a house that is otherwise in pristine condition……………….. right, way over the top. 

Remember, home inspections are not meant to tell you how great the house is; the home inspector is there to point out any and all issues -  large and small. There is a difference, however, between a well, roof or water problem and asking the seller to upgrade the house for you.

Staying Realistic Keeps Connecticut Home Buyers & Home Sellers Happy

This is why it is important to be realistic in your expectations as both a home buyer and home seller. And when issues come up, hopefully you have an experienced Connecticut Realtor guiding you through the process and helping you achieve your Storrs Mansfield and surrounding towns in CT, real estate goals!