The $10,000 Trap That Nearly Cost Our Client Everything

"Don't worry, we'll fix it."

Four words that almost destroyed our client's dream home purchase—and their financial future.

The Setup

The building report was crystal clear: "Roof needs repairs."

The agent's response? Smooth as silk: "No problem, they'll fix it."

Our buyer exhaled. Crisis averted. A simple $10,000 fix before settlement.

They were walking into a trap.

The Nightmare Scenario

Here's the brutal reality most buyers never see coming:

The seller hires the cheapest contractor they can find. No oversight. No quality control. No accountability.

The work gets done in secret. You show up to settlement with zero visibility into what actually happened.

The bank takes one look and says "no." Because that "repair" didn't meet lending standards.

Game over. No loan. No house. No recourse.

In our client's case, this wasn't just about $10,000. This was about whether they'd get their dream home—or lose everything they'd invested in the purchase.

The Million-Dollar Question

Who's really in control when someone says "we'll fix it"?

Spoiler alert: It's not you.

If your professional team isn't controlling the repair process, you're not buying a home. You're buying a problem.

The Bulletproof Solution

Here's the exact playbook we used to protect our client (copy this word-for-word):

1. Lock Down WHO Does the Work

• Demand a licensed professional by name—no mystery contractors

• Define the exact scope in writing—no vague promises

• Specify who confirms completion—and it better not be the seller

2. Control the WHAT and HOW

• Itemize every repair with precision—materials, methods, standards

• Set the quality benchmark— NZ Standards minimum

• Eliminate wiggle room—if it's not written, it doesn't exist

3. Own the Inspection Process

• Appoint YOUR independent inspector—not theirs

• Schedule the review before settlement—no surprises

• Get written sign-off—verbal confirmations are worthless

4. Build in Consequences

• Include dispute resolution—with teeth

• Make settlement conditional on meeting standards

• Protect your exit strategy—if they don't deliver, you walk

5. Control the Timeline

• Tie settlement to formal completion—not just "it's done"

• Require documentation—receipts, warranties, compliance certificates

• Keep the power—until it's perfect, nothing happens

The Bottom Line

"We'll fix it" without these protections is a gamble with your life savings.

Our client's story had a happy ending because we treated every promise like a contract and every contractor like they needed supervision.

The repair got done right. The bank approved the loan. Settlement happened on time.

But only because we controlled every single step.

Don't let "we'll fix it" become the four words that cost you everything