Often the home inspection is the last thing done before officially buying a home. Therefore, the sale is typically dependent on the home inspection turning up major problems. However, if the home inspection did turn up a major issue, is the seller required to do the home repairs?
Unfortunately, a home inspection is by no means a legally binding document. It merely states that there is a major problem. Then, the home seller can commit to fixing that problem, or the buyer has the right to back out. There is nothing in a home inspection that states major problems must be repaired; that negotiation comes after the inspection.
Major Issues That Need to be Fixed After an Inspection
A home with major issues after an inspection can still technically be sold, but it will just be tough to find buyers for it without lowering the price a lot. You can expect that you will need to fix them before selling the property if you turn up any of these major issues.
Mold and water damage
Pest infestations
Electrical hazards
Chemical hazards
Roof damage
Foundation damage
Essentially, if it makes the home unsafe to live in, presents a structural hazard, or will be very expensive to fix, you will need to repair it before you can sell it at a reasonable price. In some cases, even if a buyer is willing to buy a home with problems, the bank may even deny financing until the problem is fixed, though this depends on the issue.
If you are buying a home, it is important to know the above major issues because some minor issues may not necessarily be worth walking away from a home you love. For example, a broken appliance can be a deal-breaker, but it is not necessarily the most expensive thing to replace. In cases of minor issues turned up on the inspection, you can often negotiate with the buyer to see if and what they will pay to fix.