Non-Negotiables and Homebuying Deal-Breakers

by Carolyn Kay 04/18/2021

Before you sign on the bottom line, know which items are negotiable and which negate the deal entirely. Clearly defining these in advance can save you significant headaches when the buying bug takes over. Your agent will remind you of your non-negotiables and keep you on the right track.

Here are some big-ticket items to keep in mind before closing out a contract:

Major construction issues. During the inspection, if issues with the roof, a significant system like the wiring, plumbing, or HVAC comes up, negotiate to have them fixed or walk away.
Review any protected or wetlands designations that apply to the property. Even though the home, pool, fence, pond or ditch is already there, these designations mean you’ll have to get permission from a conservation committee or agency in order to make any changes to your property.
If any questions come up in the title search, and it seems there may not be a clear title, walk away. Even though the legalities could eventually get sorted, you’ll be out attorney fees, stress and time lost.
Review the right-of-way, easements and utility access. Utilities with lights, poles, pipes or wires crossing the property have the right to inspect, repair, dig and otherwise take care of the utility. Before you can put in a pool, fence or flowerbed, you may need their permission. In addition, some cities have right-of-way clauses meaning they can add berms, boulevards or widen roads into your property. They also have the right to approve where you can locate a driveway and the setback (how close structures are to the property line, roads or easements), which may severely impact how you can build.

If there is land behind your property that does not have egress, that landowner may have easement rights. That means, they may install a driveway right through your land to get to theirs. Easements are listed on the deed, so have your agent or title lawyer clarify anything you don’t understand.

Make sure your real estate agent knows what’s non-negotiable for you so that the property you fall in love with is the one of your dreams, not your nightmares.

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About the Author

Carolyn Kay

As a Real Estate professional, I specialize in helping my clients buy, rent or sell properties in Westchester County. I am passionate, dedicated and committed to my clients and my first priority is to provide them with first class service and guidance throughout the entire process. It has been said that I go above and beyond for my clients to get the deal closed! I have experience working with clients who have financed their purchases with either a conventional, VA or FHA loan and have a good understanding of how they work; no sale is too big or too small for me to take on. My family and I relocated to England for 2 ½ years, this was a wonderful experience but at the same time, it was overwhelming. I have first hand knowledge of the challenges as well as the positives in discovering a new community. I was born and raised in Scarsdale and once married, my husband and I decided to raise our two daughters here. Both of our daughters successfully graduated from the Scarsdale schools and are both married, living and working in Manhattan. After living in the same house for 30 years my husband and I took the leap, sold our home and bought and renovated a condo townhouse in another town. Once again we are discovering a new community and fully understand the highs and lows of selling a home we loved and buying and making a new home. I feel that my personal real estate experiences have made me more in tune with my client’s needs and therefore better able to help them navigate through the complex process. Please call me so that I can put my knowledge and experience to work for you.