Seller concessions and the return of the market

Yesterday I was listening to the Dave Ramsey radio show in my office. A caller told Dave their house was under contract but her husband wasn't sure he wanted to go through with the sale because the buyer was requiring them to pay for a survey. It was going to cost them $400. They didin't think they should have to pay for it because they didn't have to have a survey when they purchesed the property. The background was these home seller's were in an area in California with a very soft real estate market and they wanted to move but weren't sure about the survey. Dave told them to pay for the survey and move, of course. Why would you let $400 stand in the way of your dream? What Dave didn't say was real estate transactions are not the same now as they were 2 years ago, let alone 10 years ago.

It's very importanant to keep in mind, banks are requiring documentation of facts in the transaction that they did not require before. Just because you did not have to have something in the past does not mean it is not required now. Just because the buyer is asking for things you did not ask for does not mean they are trying to somehow rip you off. The great majority of buyers just want the house and are not trying to make you angry or frustrated. The market is definitely coming back. Let it come back and work with it the best you can. You will be successful.