No Response From Buyer After Home Inspection? (Here’s Why)
Sold your house and now...crickets? The home inspection is done, but you haven't heard a peep from the buyer.
Is this a good sign, a bad sign, or just a nerve-wracking waiting game?
This usually means the buyer is perfectly happy with the inspection results and will be moving forward with the purchase without requesting repairs!
But it could be something else too.
In this post, I’ll give you a rundown of all the different reasons why you got no response from the buyer after the home inspection. And I’ll explain what you should do next.
Why Buyer Is Not Responding After Home Inspection?
Here are the reasons why the buyer might have not responded yet:
Also Read: What fixes are mandatory after a home inspection?
#1 Buyer Is Moving Forward As-Is
One of the most likely explanations if you haven't heard anything is that the buyer plans to purchase your home exactly as it is currently, without asking for any repairs or changes.
Generally, if the buyer doesn't come back with a list of things they want fixed or any notice about backing out, it means they are accepting the home's present condition.
It's possible the buyer has just been busy with all the other aspects of going through the home-buying process.
They may not have gotten around to officially telling their real estate agent yet that they're ready to keep moving toward closing.
#2 Buyer Is Still Reviewing The Inspection Report
Home inspection reports can be really long and detailed, sometimes over 50 pages, with notes and photographs evaluating every single part of the property.
The buyer might simply need some extra time to go through the whole report carefully and understand all the findings.
During this review period, they could be considering whether to ask you to make any repairs.
They might also be scheduling additional inspections for areas of specific concern or they might be getting advice from contractors about repair costs.
They could also be deciding if there are any bigger issues that could be deal-breakers.
Also Read: Contractor wants 50 up front
#3 Repair Request Addendum Being Prepared
If the buyer does plan to formally request that certain repairs get made based on what the inspection uncovered, they'll need some time to properly put together that repair request.
This involves getting pricing estimates from contractors.
It also includes talking to their real estate agent about what requests are considered reasonable according to the contract.
They will then need to actually write up the official repair request paperwork.
Organizing and drafting all of this takes time, so the silence might just be because the buyer is working on that.
#4 Buyer Has Cold Feet And Is Reconsidering
In some situations, the reason for no immediate response from the buyer could be that they are having second thoughts about purchasing your home after seeing the inspection results.
The findings may have been more negative than expected and it revealed serious issues the buyer didn't anticipate.
And they might be overwhelmed by the amount of repairs seemingly needed or the potential costs involved.
So the silence could mean the buyer is genuinely reconsidering if they want to go through with buying the home after all.
What To Do If The Buyer Doesn't Respond
Here’s what you should do if there is no response from buyer after home inspection:
Give The Buyer Reasonable Time To Respond
If the buyer stops communicating with you after the home inspection, it's a good idea to give them some reasonable amount of time to get back to you.
What's considered a reasonable timeframe depends.
It can vary depending on where you live and the specific situation, but usually a few days to a week is seen as okay.
Whatever you do, don’t start pushing them too hard or demanding an immediate response.
It could make things worse and damage the relationship even further.
Reach Out To The Buyer's Agent
If this goes on for a while, it makes sense to contact the buyer's real estate agent. They’ll explain why the buyer hasn't responded and give you insight into what the buyer is thinking.
This is also a chance for you to discuss potential solutions or compromises that could help move the sale along.
Or you can just ask your agent too.
They’ll inquire about the inspection findings and the buyer's next steps.
Consider Extending The Due Diligence Period
If the buyer had a valid reason for missing the deadline, such as a serious illness or unexpected out-of-town travel, an extension might be reasonable.
But discuss the terms and conditions of such an extension with your real estate agent and make sure both parties agree to it.
Consult With A Real Estate Attorney
If the situation escalates and there's a potential breach of contract or legal dispute, it's a good idea to consult with a real estate attorney.
The attorney will guide you through the proper legal channels to resolve the issue.
And your contract will dictate how the buyer's deposit is handled.
If the buyer backed out due to a valid contingency (like financing falling through), they'll likely get their deposit back.
If they breached the contract without a valid reason, you might be entitled to keep the deposit.
What To Do If The Deal Falls Through
Despite your best efforts, there may be times when the deal ultimately falls through because the buyer stops communicating or you can't reach an agreement.
That's okay! You can relist the property and start the process over again.
Your real estate agent can also reach out to other potential buyers who had expressed interest earlier but didn't get the initial offer.
Also Read: Selling Distressed Homes At Auctions
If you need to close the sale fast, you can always sell to cash buyer within 1 - 2 weeks!
FAQs
Buyer Missed Inspection Deadline
If the buyer doesn't meet the deadline, you can proceed with the sale and expect the buyer to complete the purchase as agreed.
If the buyer changes their mind and decides not to proceed, they may lose their earnest money deposit. This is because not responding implies acceptance of the property's condition.