Curious—has anyone actually negotiated repairs with sellers here and had them cover anything major? Or is it always “as-is, take it or leave it”?
You’re not wrong about sellers holding the cards lately, but I’ve managed to get a couple things covered—had a seller agree to pay for a new water heater once, but only after I showed them two quotes. It’s hit or miss. Most big stuff (foundation, roof) gets pushed back on buyers, but smaller repairs are sometimes negotiable if you’re persistent. Dallas isn’t cheap, but walking away can cost more in wasted time and inspections. Just gotta pick your battles.
I hear you on the “as-is” thing—it’s like sellers think their 1980s water heater is a feature, not a hazard. I’m in the middle of my first home purchase and tried to get them to fix a leaky window. They offered a $100 Lowe’s gift card... which, I guess, covers the emotional damage? It’s wild out here, but sometimes you get lucky if you ask nicely (and maybe threaten to walk). Hang in there—persistence pays off, or at least gets you a new water heater.
That $100 gift card move cracks me up—like, is that supposed to cover labor too? I’ve seen sellers dig their heels in over way bigger issues. Out of curiosity, did you factor in the cost of repairs when you made your offer, or were you hoping to negotiate those after the inspection? Sometimes folks forget how much those “little” fixes add up, especially with older homes. Ever get worried about what else might be lurking behind the walls?
That $100 gift card thing is wild—seen it more than once, and it never fails to make me shake my head. Like, what’s that supposed to cover? A couple of lightbulbs and a pizza for the handyman?
- I always try to factor in at least a ballpark for repairs before making an offer, but honestly, you never really know until you get that inspection report. Sometimes you’re thinking, “Okay, maybe $5k for some updates,” and then the inspector starts poking around and suddenly you’re looking at foundation issues or ancient wiring. That’s when the real fun starts.
- Sellers digging in over repairs is pretty common, especially in hot markets like Dallas. Some of them act like they’re doing you a favor by even acknowledging the problems. I’ve had folks offer me a $250 “credit” for a roof that needed replacing—like that’s going to make a dent.
- Those “little” fixes add up fast. I’ve learned the hard way not to underestimate stuff like old plumbing or HVAC systems on their last legs. Even cosmetic stuff can snowball if you’re not careful.
- As for what’s behind the walls… yeah, always a worry. I once bought a place thinking it just needed some drywall patching, only to find out there was old termite damage hidden back there. Ended up costing way more than I’d budgeted.
You’re right to be cautious about those hidden issues. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overlook what could be lurking out of sight. At the end of the day, being realistic about repair costs—and expecting surprises—is just part of the game with older homes. If you can keep your cool when those curveballs come your way, you’ll be ahead of most buyers out there.
That $100 gift card always cracks me up—like, thanks for the trip to Home Depot, I guess? I’ve had sellers try to pass off a “fresh coat of paint” as a major repair too. You nailed it about the inspection surprises. Last year, I budgeted for a bathroom reno and ended up redoing half the plumbing because the inspector found pipes older than my dad. Dallas homes can be full of character... and characters. Just gotta keep your sense of humor (and a contingency fund) handy.
