Moving or selling your home can be stressful, especially when you include extra steps like hosting viewings, doing walkthroughs, and contacting your realtor to gather information on the property. One key piece to this puzzle is the inspection – a thorough home inspection before anyone moves in ensures the property is up to code. The home inspection timeline is not lengthy, but it is filled with many steps to ensure your home is as safe as possible!
You may wonder how long this process takes and what it includes; sadly, the answer isn’t 100% simple, as many variables are involved. For example, the specific time frame depends on the size of the home and how many “defects” are found within it. Another factor to consider is schedule/availability and working around that!
When The Home Inspection Begins
Hiring a professional home inspection team usually occurs after a homebuyer’s offer is accepted, and that’s when you’ll get your home inspection timeline breakdown. This can happen before or during the appraisal and is determined beforehand so all parties agree. There will be a checklist for the home’s exterior and interior areas, along with areas for the inspector to make notes of any problems they see within the home.
How Long The Inspection Takes
The good news is, when you get a home inspection, it does not take long from start to finish! This part of the home inspection timeline is usually the fastest and takes about 2 to 4 hours for an average-sized home. This time will be extended if you have a larger home or if there are a lot of defects found in the house.
What It Includes
During your home inspection, the team will visually inspect the foundation, exterior and interior walls, roof, HVAC, and electrical and plumbing systems. They will be looking into many more minor details, such as how your doors and windows shut or seal, light fixtures, paint issues, and if anything is leaking. It’s a lot to pack into a shorter period, but with proper experience, you know they will get the job done!
When You Get The Report Back
It usually takes one to three business days after the inspection to get the report back to the realtor company and homeowners, and those times will vary depending on what’s written in the report. It includes a list of any defective systems, hazardous conditions, or other areas of concern they have.
Next Steps After Your Home Inspection
The final step in the home inspection timeline is using the home inspection report to negotiate repairs and/or a price reduction in monthly payments, depending on what was found. You can ask the seller to make improvements or repairs or deduct the cost of repairs from the final sale total. If they find that the damage is more significant than they realize, they can back out of the contract.
Professionals And Your Home Inspection Timeline
The home inspection timeline we’ve given is a generalization based on the average home; many situations will be different and require different timing, depending on what inpspectors found during the inspection. Fortunately, we are a team of certified, experienced professionals who can simplify the selling and buying process! Detail View Home Inspections has what it takes to aid in your homeowner journey, and a detailed home inspection is our bread and butter!
