What is an Inspection Contingency, Why You Need One?

An inspection contingency may or may not be a surprise if you sell or buy a home, but what does it imply? Purchasing a home isn’t to be taken lightly. You probably don’t want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on something without certain legal and financial protections. 

That’s why many if not all, purchasers make contingency agreements that lessen their danger while also allowing them to back out of the transaction if specific conditions aren’t met.

Continue reading to learn more about an inspection contingency and what happens due to it.

The most frequent contingency requested by home buyers is a house inspection contingency, which depends on a home inspector’s findings. This provision protects purchasers from buying a property containing significant (and hidden) structural or environmental problems that might require expensive repairs.

What does home inspection contingency mean?

If you consider buying a home, you can add a home inspection contingency to your offer. It will allow you to cancel or renegotiate the sale if significant problems are found during the inspection. The final deal will be based on the results of the reviews.

If the buyer and seller can’t agree on repairing any problems, the sale cannot proceed. If the seller does not improve, you may get reimbursed for some expenses or negotiate a lower purchase price, depending on this condition. However, if you are unable to establish a fair agreement, you have the option of walking away.

Importance of a home inspection contingency

A home inspection contingency protects purchasers from putting their life’s savings into a property only to discover that the foundation is sagging or widespread mildew. These problems might make the house unlivable or even dangerous and necessitate a significant additional investment to repair.

This contingency is commonly advised by real estate professionals since typical repairs are seldom evident at a showing or walkthrough. According to real estate agent Julie Upton of Compass in the San Francisco Bay region, a home inspection contingency is critical “if you want to avoid buying a house that has a lot of hidden issues.” “It may be like putting frosting on a burnt cake with cosmetic improvements and staging,” she added.

How do Inspection Contingencies work?

Let’s start with the best-case scenario to provide an overview of how the home buying process and inspection work. In this version, the buyer’s inspector finds no significant flaws in the property – or at least none that the buyer is unwilling to overlook and repair themselves.

In this scenario, three more actions must be completed before the sale can be finalized. If you’re applying for a mortgage, an appraisal of the property is required. Your house is the collateral for the loan, and a lender can’t put you in a better situation than you are now. If you accept a price and the appraisal comes in low, you may have to make up the difference at closing, renegotiate, or call it quits.

To prevent this, you might put in an appraisal contingency. These are generally intended to state that you will not pay more than the appraised value or a certain amount above the appraised value. After completing the home inspection and appraisal, you’ll be allowed to conduct a last walkthrough on closing day. This will enable you to make sure everything is in order before closing. Finally, after signing several legal documents, you’ll get your keys.

Not everyone’s approach goes as smoothly, so let’s look at how a home inspection contingency might assist in the case of issues with the property that need to be addressed.

Buyer Requests Further Negotiations

In addition to setting out the amount of time a buyer has to obtain an inspection and raise concerns, a good contingency should outline what happens if the buyer wishes to raise concerns. The most typical contingency provisions will allow sellers a few days after receiving the request to accept repairs or lower the sales price in compensation.

If the owners refuse to make repairs or reduce the price, buyers have a certain amount of days to decide whether they wish to purchase the property as is or back out of the transaction. If the seller chooses to make improvements, buyers should inspect them at the last walkthrough to ensure they are satisfactory. This is their final chance to correct anything before closing.

Buyer Disapproves

The most crucial factor to consider when buying a house is what the seller will and won’t do. “Satisfactory” gives buyers a lot of leeways, which is why it’s so prevalent in real estate contracts. If a buyer discovers something that might be an issue and the seller refuses to correct it or lower the price, the buyer has the right to back out of the contract.

The advantage of having a home inspection contingency at this period is that backing out under the terms of the clause allows you to get your earnest money deposit back. Depending on where you reside, this may be a percentage of the purchase amount, thus making your deposit substantial.

What Does The Home Inspection Cover?

A basic house inspection will inspect the property’s structure, appliances, and essential systems to assess its status. This includes thoroughly examining the foundation, roof, attic, major appliances, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

A house inspection will take anywhere from two to four hours to complete. It’s a good idea for the buyer to be there during the house inspection. This is an excellent opportunity to inquire about the property. The report will include pictures and recommendations from the inspector. The following are some of the things that most inspection reports contain:

• Each problem they identified was rated on a scale of one to five, with the status of each issue: Safety concerns, major defect, or minor flaw.
• Replacement or service may be required for appliances and systems.
• Any urgent repairs or upgrades that need immediate attention or routine maintenance.

Exterior Inspection

An inspector will inspect the entire exterior of the building. Crawlspaces, roofs, and additions are all examples of this. The following topics will most likely be on your inspector’s to-do list:

• Walls: Exterior wall construction is an excellent method to learn about the home’s foundation and interior. An inspector will inspect damaged or missing siding. Crack inspection and suspected settlement checking are two of many things an inspector will do. The soil around the property will be examined for any significant leaks or pests.
• Foundation: The inspector will inspect the premises to search for dips in the earth, uneven grading, and so on. An expert assesses any secondary evidence of foundation concerns if the foundation is not visible. Cracks and separations will be looked for by an experienced inspector, who will suggest a course of action.
• Roof: Water can leak into your house in various ways, including Unsecured gutters, missing shingles, improperly installed shingles, and cracked and broken vents and pipes are all examples of places where water may enter the home without warning. The inspector will highlight any areas that might be vulnerable to water damage.
• Garage: The garage door will be tested by the home inspector to ensure it is in good working order. They’ll notice any sounds and inspect the framing for proper sealing to prevent pests and water entry, as well as enough ventilation.
• Grading: Home inspectors will look for grading that slopes away from the house as it should. If a place has settled and needs regrading, an inspector’s sharp eye might help prevent significant problems.

What do Interior home Inspections cover?

An interior examination will cover everything within the house, including the sinks’ electrical system and water pressure. Here’s a short list of things that your inspector might check for:

• Electrical systems: The inspector will start by determining the type of wiring in the house. They’ll check for working ground fault circuit interrupters in the bathrooms, kitchen, and garage.
• HVAC system: The inspector will look for a service record and inspect the type, size, and age of the furnace and air conditioner. They’ll then check to see whether they’re working correctly and seek out a record of service. The inspector will examine as much duct work as possible to try to find places where leaks or a lot of debris is blocking airflow.
• Plumbing: The inspector will determine the type of pipes utilized on the property. They’ll check all faucets and showers for water pressure. They’ll also check beneath sinks and cupboards for any slow leaks or plumbing system concerns. If you ever need to turn off the water in an emergency, ask your inspector where all the water shut-offs are located.
• Fire safety: The inspector will inspect all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to verify that they are functional. If a garage is connected to the property, the inspector will notice if the wall behind it is in good shape and hasn’t been reduced in fire ratings.
• Bathrooms: Inspectors check for apparent leaks, properly sealed toilets, and sufficient ventilation. Because bathrooms can get damp and humid, proper ventilation is essential to prevent mold and mildew buildup.
• Appliances: Inspectors that aren’t electricians won’t check appliances like coffee makers or air fryers. They will, however, want to ensure the dishwasher is functioning and the stove is heated up.

How To Handle The Home Inspection’s Results

After receiving the home inspection results, purchasers and vendors can take various actions.

Fixable Issues

If a few issues cause you concern, you may ask the seller to repair them, reduce the purchase price. You may also negotiate a cash credit at closing to address them yourself. If your house inspector discovers them, this is when having an accurate home inspection report during negotiations comes in handy.

For example, a home inspector discovers termite damage in an all-season room. The problem would then be presented to the sellers and asked that they have a pest inspection to ensure there are no active infestations. The sellers agree to a pest inspection, the property passes, and everyone is relieved to close on the house.

Significant Issues

Not all property sales reach the closing table. In our previous scenario, the sellers paid $250 for a pest inspection to provide their clients peace of mind. Buyers frequently withdraw from contracts due to more expensive repairs like a new roof or foundation.

Let’s use another scenario as an example. You fall in love with a home inspected after discovering a slow leak from a second-story bathroom that has led to significant mold and mildew growth. The home inspection cost is anticipated to be $15,000 and take six weeks or more to complete. You have got the option of lowering the asking price or obtaining credit at closing, but do you have enough time to wait for repairs? Many purchasers would back out rather than deal with the mess of building work.

What Is An Inspection Contingency, And How Do You Waive It?

Home inspections are never necessary, but they’re always a good idea for house purchasers. If nothing else, you’ll understand the home’s present condition and what to watch for in the future. However, there is no limit to your possibilities. Sellers want assurance as well. If they can be more confident that your bid will go through because there are fewer conditions attached, it might give you an edge in a multiple bid situation.

It’s crucial to recognize that you’re stuck paying for any necessary repairs if you do this. If you opt-out of the contingency, you must decide whether the property is worth whatever additional investment may be required in repairs.

Alternatives To Waiving The Inspection Contingency 

If you want to sweeten your offer but don’t want to lose your inspection contingency, there are other ways to do it. For example, you could pay more than the appraised value or offer to pay for all or part of the closing costs.

Example of a home inspection contingency

What should you be looking for during a home inspection contingency? An essential property inspection, which may include simple house systems (such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC), structural problems (roofing, foundation, insulation), appliances, and exterior surfaces, is almost certainly required.

You might want to engage experts to investigate the following issues based on your basic inspection and where you live:

• Soil: This inspection ensures that your soil can support the foundation, regardless of whether you live on a hillside.
• Pests: Termites, rodents, and fungi
• Drainage: For properties in flood zones
• Sewer: Because of this, older homes built before city sewer services were provided will require greater attention to keep them from leaking.

How long is an inspection contingency?

The term inspection contingency refers to a period set by the buyer in which they may do third-party inspections and make any decisions about how to proceed. The length of the inspection contingency is specified in the purchase agreement between buyer and seller.

According to Upton, contingencies may last anywhere from 10 to 21 days in an inspection-intensive market. A client may take the shortest time in a competitive industry to keep the transaction moving forward. That said, be sure to verify your contract’s specifics. Under some legislation, the standard language for contingency length and what happens if a buyer does not meet the deadline may be included in form contracts. For example, committing to acquiring the property if you fail to finish all inspections and notify the seller by the expiration date might imply agreeing to buy it with flaws.

Whether your inspection contingency is for a few days, weeks, or months, try to finish your inspections as soon as possible. You’ll have time to call in experts and negotiate repairs or a lower purchase price if needed.

What Does it Mean to Waive the Contingency?

In Massachusetts, a property inspection contingency is usually included in introductory Offers to Purchase. If your house’s inspection reveals deal-breaking issues, the inspection contingency allows you to back out and get your offer deposit back. Besides, the inspection contingency gives you the opportunity and time to check the property’s condition before signing a Purchase and Sales Agreement and committing considerable down payment money.

When you opt out of the inspection contingency, you acknowledge that the property will be considered an “as is” condition. You agree to take responsibility for any issues that arise with the property.

What Are the Risks when you waive a house inspection?

A professional home inspector can help you discover all major problems and safety issues with your new house. Your inspector may find indications of water damage or mold, for example. A professional inspection might be able to inform you that your new home will require a roof replacement in a few years. Or that your water heater or air conditioner will need to be replaced soon. These occurrences are not unusual. And if issues — or worse — are discovered during the basic inspection, you have the option to negotiate with the seller under the usual inspection contingency.

When both parties are willing to make a trade, these issues are generally resolved by the seller agreeing to carry out repairs or crediting the buyer with a discount. If you and the seller can’t resolve your dispute, the inspection contingency allows you to get your deposit back.

You take on any financial risk for whatever condition the property is in and whatever repairs are required. The solution might be straightforward and inexpensive in some situations. However, what you don’t know can add hundreds or even thousands to the purchase price.

I’ve seen it happen. Consider, for example, the buyer who discovered (as they were moving in) that not all of the electrical outlets functioned. Due to this, they had to pay for an electrician and building permits to rewire a significant portion of the home. Alternatively, consider the family that discovered a major structural fault in the basement after the Sellers departed.

Were these customers satisfied with having to deal with these difficulties? Of course not. But they were pleased that waiving the inspection contingency allowed them to negotiate a better offer. They understood and were willing to pay the additional cost of making repairs because it was a risk they accepted and one they were capable of bearing.

How to Minimize Your Risk?

If you want to offer a property that passes inspection but is listed with an incentive of no obligation, you can utilize the contingency to your advantage. If done correctly, this may be a successful offer technique. Here are some suggestions for lowering your chance: –

• Make sure you have the cash to play this game. If you are a well-funded buyer, waiving the property inspection contingency makes sense. This isn’t a method if you have good funding. It’s a gambling operation.
• Before signing the Purchase and Sales Agreement, have a professional house inspection. You won’t be able to take advantage of an inspection contingency if you opt out of it. It’s only meant to restrict your options regarding negotiations or pricing with the seller because you don’t have access to the findings from the inspection.
• You still can if you discover something during the inspection that makes you want to walk away. Yes, you’ll lose your offer deposit, but it’s a significantly less costly loss than if you forfeit the down payment you’ll need to provide when signing the P&S.

What is the duration of the inspection contingency?

Depending on the conditions of your purchase agreement, a home inspection contingency may last from a few days to a few weeks. Your real estate agent will use a form that contains provisions on how long the restriction should last.

For example, the California Residential Purchase Agreement provides the buyer with 17 days to conduct inspections and negotiate repairs. Many contingencies automatically expire after the deadline.

Before you sign a purchase agreement, find out what will happen if you miss the deadline. Find out what the home inspection contingency covers. Failing to complete the inspection on time might waive the contingency, forcing you to take the property as-is in some cases. If you don’t bargain for repairs with the seller or agree to a remediation deadline, other agreements may no longer be valid. As a result, you may lose your house, so stay on top of the deadlines. Complete that house inspection as soon as possible.

Home Inspection FAQS

What does no home inspection contingency mean?

You can still have a home inspection if you opt out of the inspection contingency. It simply means you won’t be able to use an assessment’s findings to negotiate remediation or fees with the seller. You may still walk away if the examination reveals something that makes you want to do so.

Can you negotiate the House offer after the inspection?

After a home inspection, you may have more negotiation power, but getting the seller to agree to your conditions is the real challenge. Because a seller may be unaware of an issue, you’ll need lots of documentation such as photographs and repair estimates.

What if there’s a problem with the inspection or report?

In some cases, the homebuyer may be unhappy when they hire a home inspector. In some situations, the homebuyer will leave feeling that the home inspector missed critical flaws during inspection process. ASHI always advises buyers to contact their home inspector and discuss their concerns. Occasionally, it might be a simple mix-up, with the inspector offering further explanation.