TRR: The Three Most Dreaded Letters in Real Estate

If you’ve been in real estate long enough, you know there are three little letters that can turn even the smoothest transaction into a hair-pulling, coffee-guzzling marathon: TRR. That’s right—Repairs, Replacements, and Treatments.

Oh, the TRR. Equal parts negotiation, therapy session, and hostage situation. Buyers want everything replaced down to the last lightbulb. Sellers think a roll of duct tape should fix most things. And agents? Well, we’re stuck in the middle, praying our phones don’t buzz at 10 p.m. with, “The buyer wants you to treat the yard for army worms, replace the roof, and add a new HVAC because it "looks" old. 

The TRR Shuffle

Back in the good old days, there was something called a repair cap. Buyers and sellers would agree up front on the maximum amount a seller was willing to spend on repairs. Simple. Predictable. Manageable. Those days? Gone. Now it’s more like:

• Replace the HVAC system even though it works perfectly.

• Repair the fence because a squirrel looked at it wrong.

• Replace all the windows because a seal is broken on one window. 

We aren’t negotiating homes anymore—we’re negotiating wish lists.

Why TRRs Feel Like Reality TV

TRRs are starting to feel like episodes of a bad reality show: “Extreme Makeover: Buyer’s Edition.” Everyone has big demands, emotions run high, and someone is always storming out of the room saying, “That’s it, deal’s off!” Only difference is, at the end of the episode, no one gets a glamorous reveal—just an exhausted Realtor clutching a stack of inspection reports.

The Power of Pre-Inspections

Here’s the truth: TRRs are killing deals faster than anything else right now. That’s why I’ve started encouraging my sellers to get a pre-inspection before listing. Yes, before the buyers ever walk in with their own inspector. Why? Because surprises are fun at birthday parties, not in real estate contracts.

A pre-inspection lets sellers address issues up front. Replace that faulty GFCI outlet now. Patch the roof shingle before it becomes a full-blown negotiation. Tighten that wobbly toilet (you know the one). It saves deals, keeps negotiations cleaner, and prevents those dreaded “We want $20,000 worth of repairs” conversations.

TRRs: The Toughest Thing in Real Estate Today

Let’s be real: TRRs have become the toughest thing to navigate in real estate. Not pricing. Not marketing. Not even appraisals. TRRs. The expectations are sky-high, the negotiations are exhausting, and no one ever leaves fully happy. But that’s where an experienced, full-time Realtor comes in—we know how to manage emotions, negotiate fairly, and keep everyone focused on the bigger picture: closing the deal.

The Positive Spin

At the end of the day, repairs are just part of homeownership. No house is perfect, no inspection report is blank, and no TRR is painless. But with the right preparation and the right Realtor, the process doesn’t have to be a deal-killer.

At The Agency Oklahoma, we work to get ahead of the problems, set realistic expectations, and keep transactions moving forward. We believe in honesty, professionalism, and protecting our clients through every step—including the dreaded TRR.

So yes, TRRs may be the three most feared letters in real estate. But with the right strategy, they don’t have to spell disaster. They can mean Trust, Reliability, and Results.

Wyatt Poindexter
The Agency Oklahoma
405-417-5466 | TheAgencyRE.com