When you’re buying a home, home inspection day can be one of the most exciting and the most nerve wracking. It’s exciting because you’re one step closer to owning a house you’re really interested in, but if something goes really wrong here, the entire deal can fall through.

For better or worse, you’ll have to decide next steps. Will you negotiate repairs? When should you walk away? What if nothing comes up?

If you’re wondering what to do next after you’ve received the results of your home inspection, here are a few tips to help you get started.

Negotiating Repairs

More often than not, a home inspection will uncover something that needs fixed in the home. This can be large or small, and in the end, someone has to pay real money to make it right.

But, when should the seller cover the cost?

While you want your home to be perfect when you move in, you shouldn’t necessarily use a home inspection as a way to renegotiate the sale. If the repairs are small, DIY projects you can tackle over a weekend or two, it’s likely not worth trying to save some money.

However, if there are repairs that impact the safety of the property — i.e. corroded pipes or a bad gas line — these are fair things to request that the seller fix before closing. While an “imperfect” house is fixable, an unsafe house should not be sold to someone looking to live there.

When to Walk Away

Deciding to walk away from a home after a bad home inspection can be a tough decision. There are many reasons to choose to walk away — insurance cost, title issues, major safety problems with the property.

They all boil down to one question, though. Can you afford to fix it?

If you cannot afford to fix up the issues uncovered in the inspection and the seller cannot cover them, it’s okay to move on.

What if Nothing Comes Up?

This actually happens!

Sometimes, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a property, and it really is a flawless home inspection. Trust your home inspector and move forward with the deal. Your house is safe, in good shape and you will be moving in very soon.

A home inspection is a critical step in the real estate transaction that can save you a lot of money and headaches. Never purchase a home without having an inspection done first, and we hope they always go smoothly!