How long does it take to get a Home Inspection Report?

Delivery of the report after an inspection is an important aspect in the buying process.  Naturally, reports need to be completed as soon as possible after inspection so the buyer, seller and their agents can move forward with any repairs, additional inspections or negotiations.

Many factors affect the time it takes to complete a report including:

• The structure of the report - Does it only have check boxes or will it also include descriptions and recommendations? Are comments generic or are they written specifically for each report? Does it have pictures?
• The day and time the inspection is completed as inspectors do not normally work 24/7- Is it done on a Saturday evening or a Monday morning?
• The size and condition of the property - The more there is to include, the longer it will take.  

On-Site Inspection Reports

Some home inspectors offer on-site delivery of reports.  For the most part, these reports have previous generic comments inserted. As someone who is paying for a service, you should decide whether obtaining a generic report is what you want. On-site reports hinder the ability for an inspector to review his/her findings, write organic comments regarding each deficiency and provide useful recommendations. 

24 - 48 Hour Inspection Reports 

Some home inspectors will deliver an inspection report in no more that 48 business hours after an inspection.  Ideally, you want to hire an inspector who delivers reports within 24 business hours but it shouldn't be upsetting if it takes slightly longer, considering the factors listed above. This delivery time frame is the most common amongst home inspectors.

Longer than 48 Hour Inspection Reports

Inspection reports that take longer than 48 business hours to complete should be a red flag - or at least yellow. While at times there may be hurdles that arise that can legitimately delay the report, that is not common. If a report will take longer than 48 business hours, the inspector should be able to explain the reason(s). 

Always discuss the time frame of delivery with the home inspector prior to hiring his/her services. Let them know your time constraints (if any) and ensure the inspection report will be provided to you with sufficient time to review and make decisions. 

"Home Inspections are like a Box of Chocolates…"

Know the saying? Forrest Gump said it best, "You never know what you're gonna get."

Home inspections can reveal many things. Some homes are in a near perfect condition, while others could use a lot of their new owner’s TLC. 

Most homes fall somewhere in between those extremes and have only normal problems that can be addressed quickly.  New owners, including first time buyers, should understand that deficiencies will likely be found and unexpected repairs may still arise at one time or another. The important thing in any case is that the sellers or potential buyers take proactive steps to protect their investments by getting a quality home inspection. 

Really, it’s what you don’t clearly see that can be the major problem. Getting an experienced home inspector to evaluate the condition of the home is always recommended as it's the best way to know the true condition of the property.

You may not always know what you're going to get in life, but you can know what you'll get before buying a home by getting an inspection.

Don't forgo the Home Inspection process - Get it inspected.

Water Heater Issue can slow FHA Loan

A common issue found during the home buying process is improper (or missing) water heater seismic straps.  

California has double-strapping requirements for water heaters. Knowing the requirements can help facilitate the selling process, especially when dealing with a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured loan.

The FHA requires that a home complies with local building codes and makes sure certain issues are addressed before the loan is approved. In earthquake-prone California, water heaters require seismic straps [braces or anchors] in the upper and lower 1/3rd of the tank to prevent displacement, health and fire hazards during movement.  

The FHA obtains an appraisal report from an approved home appraiser who also performs a basic inspection to make sure the home is habitable. If the appraiser reports improper seismic strapping, the FHA will place the loan on hold until it meets the requirements. Additionally, a seller is required to certify that standards have been met. This issue has slowed many buyers' FHA loans.

Sound complex?

Properly installing water heater seismic straps is quick, easy and inexpensive. 

Correctly double-strapping a water heater (as seen in the photo to the right) can be done professionally by a licensed plumber for about $120 - $150 in less than one business day. It is recommended that straps be heavy gauge metal, not plumber's tape as it's less resistant to severe movement.


Why is this important?

If you're looking to close the deal soon, taking care of issues like this helps expedite the sale. An appraiser will likely find this deficiency and report on it. And you (the seller) may be asked to correct the issue anyway.  Waiting to fix simple issues will only cause delays.

As a seller, you can have your home ready for the appraiser and make it faster to process a buyer's FHA loan. Even though a buyer will not always have an FHA loan, it's always wise for sellers to address simple issues before any delays or inconvenience arise. 

Taking proactive steps to address simple, but important, issues means a faster smoother transaction for everyone involved. 

It's important to note that an appraiser's role is not to inspect the home.  Sellers should still consider hiring a home inspector for a thorough pre-listing inspection to find concerns and help address issues quickly.

Follow this blog for more posts about issues relating to home inspections. Comment below if this story about addressing simple but important issues sounds all-too familiar, or if there is something else you'd like to share.