Grand Rapids homeowner reviewing inspection results with inspector in kitchen

How do I handle buyer requests after the inspection on my Grand Rapids home?

ByJason Pohlonski

When you’re selling your Grand Rapids home, the inspection phase can feel like a hurdle. You’ve accepted an offer, the buyer’s inspector has combed through your house, and now you’re staring at a list of repair requests. What you do next matters—not just for your bottom line, but for keeping your sale on track. Sellers often wonder: Should I fix everything? Push back? Offer a credit? Here’s how to approach these requests with confidence and strategy.

Quick Answer

After a home inspection, Grand Rapids sellers typically receive a list of buyer repair requests. You are not obligated to agree to every item. Instead, evaluate which requests are reasonable, which are required for the buyer’s financing, and which you’re willing to negotiate. Your response can include agreeing to some repairs, offering a credit, or declining items that don’t materially impact the sale.

Every situation is different, and your decision should reflect your goals, your property’s condition, and how the market is responding. If you’re dealing with this, I’m happy to walk through it with you.

1. Prioritize Required Repairs and Safety Issues

Not all inspection requests carry the same weight. Some repairs—like GFCI outlets, handrails, or roof leaks—can be mandatory for certain loan types, such as FHA, VA, or RD, because lenders may not approve the buyer’s loan without them (HUD: Minimum Property Standards). These are the items to focus on first, as they directly affect your ability to close.

“Jason’s take: In Grand Rapids, I’ve seen sellers successfully keep deals alive by quickly addressing safety or lender-required repairs, even if they push back on cosmetic items.”

If the buyer’s loan isn’t contingent on any repairs, you have more leverage to negotiate or decline. Always ask your agent which requests could threaten closing versus which are wish-list items.

2. Weigh Market Conditions and Buyer Leverage

The strength of your negotiating position often depends on how the market is responding to your listing. If there’s high demand and little inventory, you may have more room to say no to minor requests. On the other hand, if your home has been on the market a while or you only received one offer, accommodating reasonable requests could keep your sale moving.

“Jason’s take: I advise Grand Rapids sellers to review how much leverage they have. If the market is tight, you can stand firmer. If activity is slow, flexibility often pays off.”

Check if your backup options (other interested buyers) are realistic before drawing a hard line. Sometimes, a modest credit or repair is worth avoiding the risk of starting over.

3. Consider Offering Credits Instead of Repairs

Many Grand Rapids sellers choose to offer a repair credit rather than making fixes themselves. This can simplify your workload and give buyers the freedom to handle repairs to their standards after closing. Credits are negotiated in the form of seller concessions, which are applied at closing and reduce the buyer’s out-of-pocket costs (CFPB: Seller Concessions).

This approach works best for non-safety, non-lender-required items like older appliances or minor exterior issues. Just be sure your buyer’s lender allows concessions and check the limits.

If you do agree to repairs, use reputable, insured contractors and keep documentation for closing. Sometimes, a quick fix with proof of completion can ease everyone’s concerns.

4. Know When to Push Back or Walk Away

It’s perfectly reasonable to push back on requests that feel excessive, cosmetic, or unrelated to the home’s function. If the buyer is asking for upgrades or items clearly visible at the initial showing, remind your agent to reference the as-is terms of your sale.

In rare cases, if negotiations break down and requests are unreasonable, you may decide to walk away and relist. This isn’t ideal, but it’s better than agreeing to concessions that undermine your net proceeds or timeline.

Keep communication respectful and solutions-oriented. The right approach is usually a mix: address what’s fair, negotiate what’s optional, and be clear about your limits.

Real Seller Case Study

Last spring, I worked with a Grand Rapids seller whose home inspection turned up several mid-level repairs—nothing major, but more than the buyer expected. The seller received a detailed request: fix two electrical outlets, reseal basement windows, and replace a dishwasher. The seller didn’t want to delay closing or manage contractors, so we offered a $1,200 credit at closing instead of doing the work. The buyer accepted, the sale closed on time, and the seller avoided additional hassle and expense. This solution worked because we prioritized speed and simplicity while still addressing the buyer’s concerns.

Grand Rapids Market Insight

In Grand Rapids, I’m seeing sellers increasingly use repair credits and targeted repairs to keep deals moving. Most sellers are not automatically agreeing to every buyer request—especially for older homes where “as-is” is common. Well-priced homes in good condition tend to negotiate fewer post-inspection items, while homes with deferred maintenance see more pushback.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling in Grand Rapids

  • Do I have to fix everything the buyer asks for after inspection?
    No, you are not required to fix every item. Focus on lender-required and safety issues, and negotiate the rest.
  • What if the buyer threatens to walk away over repairs?
    If the repair is minor and you have strong market demand, you can stand firm. If the issue is serious or threatens closing, a credit or partial repair may be worth it.
  • Can I offer a credit instead of making repairs?
    Yes, many Grand Rapids sellers offer credits at closing. Just confirm with your agent and the buyer’s lender that it’s allowed and within the limits.
  • How do I know which repairs are required for the buyer’s loan?
    Your agent can help review the buyer’s loan type and lender requirements. FHA, VA, and RD loans often require certain safety and habitability repairs.

Related Resources

About the Author


Jason Pohlonski
 is a Michigan licensed real estate salesperson with Keller Williams Grand Rapids East. He helps buyers and sellers throughout Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Ada, Byron Center, Jenison, Cascade, and surrounding West Michigan communities.

Jason began his real estate career in Chicago in 2004, later expanding his experience in Ann Arbor from 2014 to 2019, and has been serving clients in the Grand Rapids area since 2019.

With over 20 years of combined real estate experience across multiple markets, Jason focuses on helping clients make clear real estate decisions involving pricing, offer terms, inspections, appraisals, relocation timing, and buy-sell planning.

Industry Recognition

Jason is recognized by platforms and industry organizations including Zillow, Grand Rapids Magazine Real Estate All-Stars, and Real Producers for his work serving West Michigan buyers and sellers.

Jason also supports One More Moment, a nonprofit that grants wishes to late-stage cancer patients, by donating $100 for every successful closing.

Professional Disclosure

Jason Pohlonski
Michigan Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
License Verification: Verify Michigan License #6501386166
Brokerage: Keller Williams Grand Rapids East
Brokerage Office: 1555 Arboretum Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

📱 Call or text: 616-916-9770
📅 Schedule consultation:
https://calendly.com/pohlonskirealestate/30min
📧 Email: jpohlonski@kw.com

This article reflects real client experiences and market conditions in Grand Rapids and surrounding communities at the time of publication. Real estate outcomes can vary depending on market conditions, property characteristics, buyer demand, financing terms, inspection results, appraisal results, and lender requirements.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, engineering, inspection, or floodplain determination advice. Buyers and sellers should consult qualified professionals before making decisions involving financing, insurance, inspections, taxes, legal issues, or property risk.

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