So, after my home inspection, I had a number of items that needed fixing. The seller has agreed to fix all but a few things, of those remaining, I’m concerned about 2:
Doorbell
Window seal – I have a two story living room. The windows are arches (well, semi-circles), high up there
What would it cost to fix these things? I’m still in the process of buying the house, how reasonable is it to ask for a credit?
Thanks.
What exactly is broken with the doorbell?
Doorbell (assuming it doesn’t work) start by removing the button and jumping the wires, if it rings, you just need a new button, if it still doesn’t see if the ringer itself is getting voltage, if it is, you need a new ringer, if it’s not you need to check the electrical part of it, might be a loose wire at the transformer.
When my doorbell stopped working, troubleshooting quickly/easily showed that the transformer needed replaced. A new one cost around $20. I would wonder why the seller refused to fix it. 
To answer the second part - it is totally reasonable to say “If you’re not going to fix these things, I reduce my offer by $xx. Take it or leave it.” This assumes, of course, you have a Purchase & Sales agreement that allows you to walk away from the deal with your deposit back after the inspection.
The doorbell could be as easy as replacing the switch, and it could be as hard as getting an electrician to run a new wire from the door to the bell. I’d hazard a guess he’s tried to replace the button and the transformer, and that didn’t work, so he knows it’s bigger than a DIY job.
Oh, and another thing, is it in the contract that you’ll fix these things. It wasn’t in my contract and now I have to finish all the odd jobs that the previous owner decided he didn’t want to do (it was a half assed verbal agreement, my dumbass didn’t think to put it in the contract). What I’m saying is that if it isn’t in the contract and the contract is signed, you don’t HAVE to do the jobs.
JoeyP - the OP is the buyer, not the seller. The seller doesn’t want to fix those 2 things. Good point though - he should make sure the things the seller has agreed to fix get put into the Purchase & Sales. Check them again right before closing, and if they aren’t fixed, raise a stink & make him credit you at closing.
Don’t take the costs off the price of the house though. The problem with that is, if there’s say $5000 dollars worth of things needing fixing, you have to lay that out NOW, but you save it over 30 years. Rather, don’t close until it’s fixed or set up an escrow account, put the $5000 into that account and release it to them when the items are fixed.
mazinger_z be sure to walk through the house one or two days before closing, make sure the items to be fixed are fixed, there arn’t suddenly new holes in the walls or stains on the carpets (etc) and the items that are supposed to be left are still there. My closing attorney told me of one of his friends who didn’t take that final walk though and when he got to the house after closing all the kitchen cabinets where gone.
By window seal, I’m assuming that it’s a thermopane window and the insulated glass unit has a failed seal, evidenced by sweating or cloudiness between the panes. How much it costs to repair has many variables. If it’s a name brand window of a stock size, such as Andersen or Pella, then a local dealer can give you a quote once they determine the model number for sizing the IGU. If it’s a custom window, then thickness of unit, size, type of glass fill, glass tint/coating as well as the mechanics of completing the removal and replacement all factor into cost. Pick a local glazier and have them quote the repair for you. Good luck.
The window is cloudy. The home inspector says that it’s something that he would fix. However, he needed to get up there to take a better look, but since more detail wasn’t part of his inspection, he didn’t want to go up there. How much of a problem can the window be?
I have no idea what the problem is with the doorbell. We pushed it and it doesn’t work. It’s one of those doorbells that light up (it’s standard in the development). Obviously, it’s not lit, and it doesn’t make any sound when pressed. Honestly, I can’t see it being that bad of a job and I am also confused why the seller refused to fix it.
Thanks everyone for the great advice so far!
Pull off the button, touch the wires together (assuming there not covered with corrosion)…what happens?
if you have to replace the bell, they do have nifty wireless ones now. very cool, no electrician required.