• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Negotiating Inspection Results

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

A

AnnM

Guest
What is the name of your state? Massachusetts

We are first time buyers, and need some advice on how to handle the results of our home inspection. The house is 15 years old, and the inspection uncovered the fact that the roof has defective shingles, and needs to be replaced. According to the inspector it will last no more than a year. In addition there is about $1,600 worth of work that needs to be done to some windows on the exterior of the house. We are getting estimates done now, however in speaking with the Seller's broker, while the owners will listen to our negotiation, it seems unlikely that they will budge at all on the price. Is there a way to approach this that would make us more successful in getting something/anything knocked off the price? Is it possible that our inspector was wrong about the roof (the sellers claim there isn't a problem)?
 


I AM ALWAYS LIABLE

Senior Member
AnnM said:
What is the name of your state? Massachusetts

We are first time buyers, and need some advice on how to handle the results of our home inspection. The house is 15 years old, and the inspection uncovered the fact that the roof has defective shingles, and needs to be replaced. According to the inspector it will last no more than a year. In addition there is about $1,600 worth of work that needs to be done to some windows on the exterior of the house. We are getting estimates done now, however in speaking with the Seller's broker, while the owners will listen to our negotiation, it seems unlikely that they will budge at all on the price. Is there a way to approach this that would make us more successful in getting something/anything knocked off the price? Is it possible that our inspector was wrong about the roof (the sellers claim there isn't a problem)?
My response:

Unfortunately, the seller is going to tell you the same thing I'm going to tell you, and that is, "If you don't like the condition of the house, move on to something else." No one is twisting your arm to take THIS house.

By the way, your name, AnnM, is the name of a very famous Appellate decision in California. A very sad case, but one that due to the legal principles involved, became a landmark decision concerning the safety of persons on commercial property.

IAAL
 

HomeGuru

Senior Member
AnnM, exactly what kind and brand of roofing shingles are on the house?
Fiber-cemetitious material brands such as Masonite Woodruff, Cemwood, HardieShake, HardieSlate etc. are all defective.
In addition, there are some ashphalt shingle brands that are defective.
 

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top