Grand Rapids homeowner and real estate agent reviewing buyer inspection requests in kitchen with inspector nearby

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 period is often one of the most stressful steps. After the buyer’s inspection, it’s common for sellers to receive a list of repair requests or requests for credits. What you decide next can determine whether your sale moves forward, stalls, or falls apart.

Why does this matter? Because inspection requests can impact your timeline, your bottom line, and your ability to close smoothly. Grand Rapids sellers need to weigh these decisions carefully, especially in a market where both buyer expectations and competition between listings can shift quickly.

Quick Answer

When you receive buyer requests after the inspection on your Grand Rapids home, you have options: accept, negotiate, or decline the requests. The right response depends on your sale goals, the condition of your property, and the current market response to your listing. Each choice carries different risks and rewards for you as the seller.

The best approach is to evaluate the requests objectively, consider your leverage, and use your agent’s experience to avoid unnecessary concessions. If you’re dealing with this, I’m happy to walk through it with you.

1. Review and Prioritize Buyer Requests Objectively

The first step is to carefully review the list of buyer requests that come in after the inspection. Not every item on the list is urgent, and some may be more about peace of mind than true defects. Focus on requests related to safety, major systems (roof, electrical, plumbing), or lender-required repairs. Cosmetic or minor issues rarely derail a sale in Grand Rapids.

Jason’s take: “I always recommend my sellers look at the big picture. If a request is minor or something you planned to address anyway, it can sometimes make sense to resolve it and keep the deal moving. But don’t feel obligated to fix every little thing just because it’s on the list.”

Prioritize requests that could impact the buyer’s ability to get financing, such as electrical safety, water leaks, or structural concerns. For more detail on how inspection issues can impact financing, see the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s home inspection guide.

2. Evaluate Your Leverage and the Market Response

Before you respond, consider how your listing is performing. If your Grand Rapids home has strong interest, backup offers, or recent showings, you may have more flexibility to negotiate or even decline requests. If the market isn’t responding and you’ve had few showings or no other offers, you may need to be more accommodating to keep the sale together.

Jason’s take: “One thing I always do for my sellers is review the recent showing activity and feedback before responding to inspection requests. If we know demand is high, we can stand firmer. If things are slower, we might adjust.”

Remember, a buyer with solid financing and a smooth closing timeline may be worth more than a slightly higher offer with a riskier approval. If you’re unsure about your leverage, your agent should be able to provide up-to-date comparable sales and market stats.

3. Decide: Repair, Credit, or Decline?

Once you’ve prioritized the requests and assessed your leverage, decide how you want to respond. You can:

  • Agree to make specific repairs before closing
  • Offer a credit or price reduction so the buyer can handle repairs after closing
  • Decline requests that are unreasonable or not required for financing

Offering a credit is often the simplest path, as it avoids delays and contractor hassles. However, some loans (like FHA or VA) may require repairs be completed prior to closing (HUD/FHA repair guidelines). If a repair is non-negotiable for the buyer’s lender, declining it could put your sale at risk.

Always get repair estimates in writing before agreeing to major concessions. If you do the work, use licensed contractors and keep receipts for the final walk-through and lender review.

4. Communicate Clearly and Keep the Closing on Track

Once you’ve made your decision, your agent will draft a written response to the buyer’s agent. Clear, prompt communication is key—delays or vague responses can cause buyers to get cold feet. If you agree to repairs, specify exactly what will be done, by whom, and when.

If you’re offering a credit, make sure the paperwork is handled correctly so it appears on the closing statement. Your agent, lender, and title company all need to be in sync for a smooth process. If you’re declining certain requests, explain your reasoning professionally—sometimes a polite “no” is the right answer.

Jason’s take: “I always keep sellers updated after every step. Inspection negotiations can feel tense, but with a clear plan and open communication, most issues can be resolved without drama.”

Real Seller Case Study

Last spring, I worked with a Grand Rapids seller whose home went under contract quickly. After inspection, the buyer requested repairs for an old GFCI outlet and a minor plumbing drip under the kitchen sink. The seller was initially frustrated, but after reviewing our backup offer situation and recent showing activity, we decided to offer a modest credit rather than making the repairs. This allowed the sale to stay on track, avoided contractor delays, and the buyers accepted the credit. The seller closed on time and moved on schedule. The key was evaluating the real risk versus reward—and not overreacting to a standard post-inspection request.

Grand Rapids Market Insight

In Grand Rapids, most sellers see some form of inspection request, but the volume and severity depend on the age and condition of the property. Well-maintained homes tend to get fewer requests, while older homes often see longer lists. Sellers who respond promptly and reasonably generally see a smoother path to closing, while drawn-out negotiations can increase the risk of a deal falling through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling in Grand Rapids

  • Do I have to agree to every repair request?
    No, you can negotiate or decline requests, especially if they’re cosmetic or not required for financing. Focus on what’s reasonable and what’s needed to close.
  • What if the buyer’s lender requires repairs?
    Some loans, like FHA or VA, require certain repairs before closing. Your agent can help you determine which items are mandatory and which are negotiable. For more, see HUD’s FHA repair guidelines.
  • Should I fix things myself or offer a credit?
    Credits can be easier, but sometimes repairs must be completed for closing. Weigh the convenience against lender requirements and timeline risks.
  • What happens if I refuse all inspection requests?
    If the buyer walks, your home goes back on the market, which may impact your timeline or sale price. Consider your market leverage before declining everything.

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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