Home inspectors need just a few hours to complete a home inspection. But the preparation and delivery of the comprehensive inspection report may take a few days. You can expect an inspection report within 24 hours for an average-sized home. However, if the property in question is huge, then the inspection report can take about three to four days to complete.
This inspection reveals current and potential problems in the house that may not be obvious to the untrained eye. It should ideally happen soon after the seller and the buyer reach an agreement on the selling price. This post will give you a good idea of what to expect from a home inspection and why it can take a few days to come back.
What is a Home Inspection?
This is a non-invasive and limited examination of the condition of real-estate property, often in connection with the sale of that property. A trained and qualified home inspector conducts the inspection, and then prepares and delivers a written report of his or her findings to the client. The contents of the inspection report will help the buyer to make more informed decisions regarding the purchase of the home.
During the inspection, the home inspector assesses things like the heating and cooling systems, fire and safety issues, sewage, water, electrical system, as well as plumbing. He or she will also look for evidence of fire, water, or insect damage, or anything else that may affect the property’s value.
At What Point Do the Inspectors Conduct A Home Inspection?
A pre-listing inspection (seller’s inspection) and a buyer’s inspection are the two types of inspections that are necessary before the completion of the transaction. If you are a home buyer, a buyer’s inspection will happen after you make an offer on the property, but before closing the sale.
Following the inspection, you may be able to request repairs or renegotiate your offer based on the report you receive from the inspector. If you are selling, however, the inspection will happen before you list your home. This will allow you to fix any potential problems beforehand, which will speed up the closing process.
Why Do Home Inspection Reports Take Some Time to Come Back?
Providing a thorough and timely inspection report is the home inspector’s job. However, these professionals usually have a lot of work on their hands. They perform the actual inspection while trying their best to adhere to their clients’ expectations. They can deliver an electronic copy of the report, hard copy, and verbal assessment.
Most homebuyers expect the report quickly and in an easy-to-understand format and they want to glean as much information from the report as possible. Regardless, it would be a good idea to ask the home inspector when you can expect his or her report before hiring him or her.
Home inspection reports vary in thoroughness and style. Therefore, some may take longer than others. The key here is to tell the inspector your expectations before the process begins and let him or her express his or her needs as a professional.
To deliver reports faster, some home inspectors are now using home inspection software, which simplifies the whole process. Such software helps them create a clear template that is both easy to write and read.
What Follows the Reception of a Home Inspection Report?
If the report you receive from the home inspector shows only expected and minor issues, you should continue the transaction as planned. You may choose to prepare a list of problems that need fixing and give it to the seller. After the completion of those repairs, you should do a walk-through inspection to ensure the seller fixed all the problems on your list.
If the home inspection uncovers structural and/or safety issues, you will need to make more important decisions. If you decide to move forward with the purchase, you may want to do the following:
· Renegotiate the price if you still want to buy the property in its current condition.
· Request for additional inspections from an expert such as a safety expert or a structural engineer.
· Get the specialist who diagnosed the issue to come back and check the quality of repairs made.
Even a fairly positive report might still sting a little because no home is perfect. If you are planning to buy a home, you need to do a home inspection because it will help keep you safe. Therefore, it is better to wait a few days for a comprehensive inspection report than to insist on a quick report, which might be incomplete.