Question: Are you seeing buyers being pushed out of the market due to local point of sale requirements?

In Marin County, point-of-sale ordinances vary by town and may include sewer lateral compliance, fire hardening/clearance, and city resale inspections for code or permit violations. For most of my 21 years in real estate, these requirements haven’t greatly impacted property value or buyer interest. Historically, sellers disclosed the requirements but left compliance to buyers, who had 90 days post-closing to complete the work, an easy concession in a strong seller’s market.

In today’s 2025 Buyer’s Market, however, expectations have shifted.

Buyers increasingly request seller credits or expect the work to be completed before a property is listed. With listings sitting longer, addressing all point-of-sale requirements up front can make your home more competitive.

These requirements remain city and market-specific, so consult a qualified real estate professional before committing to pre-listing repairs. And even better, some brokerages can help loan the funds up front; for example, our Compass Concierge Program allows qualified home-owners to access interest-free* funds for these improvements, ensuring your home meets requirements and stands out to buyers without an up-front financial burden (*a one-time fee is charged at closing).

Liz was featured in the SF Chronicle for the weekly Real Estate “SoundOff” on Sunday, August 15, 2025, to answer this question. The above is her longer answer to this question.