How to Handle Common Real Estate Deal Breakers

Buying a home in today’s market can be stressful. When you finally find ‘the one’ it is hard to think about letting it go when a deal breaker is found. With the right team by your side, you will be able to troubleshoot these common deal breakers and make the best decision for you. ​

OLD ROOF
If you find that the home you love has an old roof, don't panic. We can work together to negotiate with the sellers. Would they be willing to split the cost or put in a claim on their insurance if they have hail damage? An old roof is a concern, but it doesn't have to be a deal breaker with creative negotiation and budgeting.

OUTDATED ELECTRICAL
Older homes don’t always have updated electrical systems. Knob and tube or aluminum wiring can be a fire hazard and expensive to replace. However, we can use these findings as a negotiating tool to get the price reduced or closing costs covered. We'll determine the best way to move forward without breaking the deal. Consult with a certified electrician to determine the most pressing repairs and those that can wait. 

PLUMBING PROBLEMS
During your inspection, your inspector will look at the indoor plumbing and functionality, but won’t usually look at sewer pipes. Just like many of the deal breakers on our list, plumbing issues can be a great tool for negotiation to get the price reduced, closing costs covered, etc. If plumbing issues are found, work with a plumber to assess the cost and time of repairs. Sewer line repairs can be the most costly, but they can sometimes be corrected with regular cleanouts. 

SHODDY REMODELS
Sometimes sellers do some quick upgrades without a professional or permits to help their home sell. When walking through homes with your agent, looks past the gloss and shine to the real details of recent remodels. If the workmanship looks shoddy but correctable and you love the home, talk to your agent about your options before you walk. We can pull permit records to see if there are any remodels on file. Additionally, a trusted contractor can help give you a sense of the quality of the work with a simple walkthrough. If there are too many repairs needed, it may be time to go back to the hunt.

FLOOD ZONE
Homes near a river or stream aren’t always in a flood zone and homes a ways from a river or stream aren’t always out of a flood zone. It’s a good idea to check a home’s address is the FEMA Map Database to see if it lies in a flood zone. If it does lie in a flood zone, it doesn’t mean it’s a deal breaker.  Check with your insurance company about the cost of flood insurance for the home you are interested. Talk to locals to see how often the area truly floods and if your home is one usually affected. 

Some buyers see deal breakers as a reason to walk while others look for creative ways to keep the deal together and get the home of their dreams. Working with a trusted team makes the home buying process much easier as you know they are giving you sound advice. Before you start your home search, schedule an appointment with me to see how I can be on your side.