What Fixes Are Mandatory After a Home Inspection?

Strictly speaking, no repairs are legally mandatory after a home inspection. However, sellers typically address issues that impact safety, structural integrity, or basic livability to keep the sale on track. Common examples include electrical hazards, significant roof damage, mold remediation, or lead-based paint concerns.

The situation becomes more complex when financing is involved. A buyer’s lender may require specific repairs before loan approval, particularly for safety or structural issues that could affect the property’s value or habitability. Government-backed loans (like FHA and VA), for instance, often have stricter requirements than conventional loan financing.

When inspection issues arise during negotiations, sellers have several options: make the repairs, offer a credit toward future fixes, reduce the sale price, or stand firm and risk losing the buyer. The best approach depends on your local market conditions, the severity of the problems, and how motivated you are to close the deal.

What are reasonable requests after a home inspection?

While sellers aren’t legally obligated to address every inspection finding, certain repair requests are generally considered reasonable (and are often necessary to secure financing and close the deal). These typically involve safety hazards, structural integrity, or core functionality issues that could affect the home’s livability or long-term value.

Understanding what buyers and lenders commonly expect can help you prioritize which repairs to tackle and which to negotiate. Here are some reasonable requests sellers encounter:

Roof leaks or major damage

Active leaks, sagging sections, or roofing materials beyond their useful life pose immediate risks to the home’s structure and interior. According to a 2024 Zillow survey, 15% of sellers replaced or repaired the roof before the sale. 

Plumbing problems

Active leaks, persistent clogs, standing water, or visible water damage can signal larger systemic issues. Left unaddressed, these problems typically worsen and may compromise the home’s foundation or air quality.

Electrical hazards

Outdated wiring, missing GFCI outlets near water sources, overloaded electrical panels, or exposed wires can create serious safety risks that most buyers and lenders won’t overlook.

HVAC system failures

Non-functioning heating or cooling systems can render a home uninhabitable in extreme climates and often trigger lender requirements, particularly for government-backed loans.

Pest infestations

Active termite colonies, rodent infestations, or other pest issues that threaten the home’s structural integrity typically require professional treatment and documentation of remediation.

Hazardous materials

Mold, asbestos, or lead paint discoveries may require professional mitigation when financing guidelines demand it. States with strict disclosure requirements may also require sellers to disclose these issues during the transaction.

Code violations and safety concerns

Missing smoke detectors, broken stair railings, blocked egress windows, or absent carbon monoxide detectors are relatively inexpensive fixes that can impact buyer confidence and loan approval.

Foundation and structural problems

Foundation cracks, sagging floors, or water intrusion into basements and crawl spaces raise immediate red flags for both buyers and lenders, often requiring professional assessment and repair.

To keep your transaction on track, prioritize requested repairs that affect safety, habitability, and the home's structural soundness.

How can sellers pay for repairs or credit buyers?

If repair requests arise from a home inspection, sellers can choose how to respond based on timeline, budget, lender requirements, and negotiating position. You’re not required to address every request, but if you decide to accommodate the buyer, you have several options.

Fix the issues before closing

This is the most straightforward option. You can hire licensed professionals to complete the work, then provide receipts or allow the buyer to reinspect the completed repairs before the final walk-through. Some lenders may require this before closing for certain issues rather than offered as a credit or purchase price reduction.

Offer a seller credit

Instead of handling repairs yourself, you can offer a concession at closing that the buyer can apply toward repair costs after taking ownership. This option works well when repairs are needed but time is limited, or when you prefer to let the buyer choose their own contractors.

Lower the purchase price

Some sellers choose to reduce the home’s sale price to reflect estimated repair costs. This approach gives buyers maximum flexibility to address issues on their timeline while keeping the transaction moving forward without delays.

Each option has trade-offs in terms of cost, control, and timeline. Your choice may depend on factors like local market conditions, the complexity of needed repairs, and whether you’re working with cash buyers or those seeking traditional financing.

Do sellers have to say yes to every request?

Sellers are not obligated to fix every item a buyer brings up after an inspection. Most focus on reasonable requests, especially those tied to safety, structural concerns, or major systems.

A skilled real estate agent can help you weigh which repairs are worth addressing and which ones you can confidently pass on without risking the deal. It all depends on your market, the severity of the issues, and how motivated your buyer is.

Sellers who want guidance through inspection negotiations can work with a real estate agent who knows the local market. For those looking for a faster, simpler sale, a cash offer from our trusted partner, Opendoor, can make it easy to move forward without the back-and-forth. Explore all your selling options and take control of your home sale from start to finish with Zillow.

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not real estate, legal, tax, or financial advice. Speak to a licensed professional for personalized advice specific to your needs.