Standard homes between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet typically take one and a half to two hours to inspect, while larger homes could take half a day or longer. A good rule of thumb is to add another 30 minutes for every 500 square feet over 2,000.
How Long Does a Walk-through Typically Take? Expect a final walk-through to take at least half an hour or a few hours if the house or property is large. It's important to take your time during your walk-through to ensure the home is in the condition you'd expect it to be in before you're the homeowner.
An average inspection takes about 2-2½ hours (1-1½ hours for a condo). The time is well-spent considering there are more than 500 components in the average home.
Timing: The home inspection typically occurs after an offer is accepted and before the final walk-through, which takes place just before closing. This timeline highlights their different purposes: the inspection assesses the property's condition, while the walk-through ensures the property is ready for transfer.
The primary reason why a seller is not encouraged to be present during a buyer's inspection is: they might interfere with the inspector's inspection process. They might try to justify the condition of various aspects.
This part is important: Having the walkthrough near closing day means the house should be empty, giving you a good look at the whole place as a blank canvas. The seller should have moved out their stuff and hopefully not damaged floors and walls in the process.
3.9% of real estate sales fail after the contract is signed.
There's nothing more frustrating than having a buyer back out at the last second.
Top reasons homes fail inspection
An aging, damaged or deteriorating roof. Missing flashing or shingles. Damaged siding. Rotted wood.
Common issues a home inspector finds include roofing issues, problems with the HVAC system, faulty electrical wiring, dry rot, mold and structural damage.
Water damage can be the most expensive of all the major issues a home inspection may encounter because it can cause so much damage.
Common Home Inspection Deal-Breakers
Inspectors look for curling, broken, or missing shingles, which may indicate the need for repair or replacement. Rotten wood, uneven areas, or water stains inside the house could point to deeper issues, like leaks or poor installation.
The majority of those problems were minor and did not delay closing. However, about a quarter—24%—of new home buyers say their home did not pass the first inspection. Thirty-two percent said the inspector found minor issues. Thirty percent of buyers said their home passed the first inspection.
Homes inspections are done on behalf of the buyer to give them an out if needed, so sellers usually cannot legally back out of the sale after a home inspection. In rare cases, sellers could be uncooperative and push the buyer into backing out after the home inspection to get out of the contract themselves.
Who Attends A Final Walk-Through? The buyer and their real estate agent are present at the final walk-through. They'll check that there's no new damage, that the systems and appliances included in the sale still work and that the home is clean.
A: Generally, home inspectors look for damage and potential issues in readily visible, accessible parts of a home, both inside and out. This includes structural features such as the foundation, floors, stairs, walls and ceilings, as well as mechanical systems like the plumbing and HVAC.
The formality of inspections varies by state, but sellers have the right to approve or deny any inspection requests and resolutions to inspections.
For the average property, buyers should expect an inspector to spend anywhere from two to four hours on-site, then plan to receive their report between one and three business days later. Of course, the best way to get an idea of how long an inspector will take to deliver an inspection report is to ask them.
Who pays for a home inspection if the deal falls through? If the buyer orders the inspection, they still pay for it if the deal falls through—even with an inspection contingency. A home inspection is an optional service, so the cost still falls on the buyer who orders it even with negative results.
According to some industry professionals, around 1 in 10 home sales fall through after the inspection. This statistic can vary regionally and depend on factors such as the age of the homes in the area. But nationally, about 10-15% of buyers decide to walk away from a purchase contract because of inspection findings.
Essentially yes, you can always negotiate after a home inspection but whether or not the seller will agree to your negotiations is another matter.
In California, all residential purchases use the same Residential Purchase Contract, often called the RPA. Listing agents know in the RPA, that the seller and the seller's agent have a right to receive the report.
Can a seller deny a final walk-through? No, a seller cannot legally deny a buyer the opportunity for a final walk-through before closing. This is a standard part of the home-sale process. But it couldn't hurt to include it in your contract just in case.
Final Walkthrough: Usually conducted the morning of closing up to 24 hours before closing, this is your last chance to ensure the property is in the agreed-upon condition.
If you find problems during the final walk-through, you'll need to address them with the seller before closing.