The reality check of the home inspection can be a decisive point in the homebuying process—it’s when hidden issues come to light that can make or break whether or not a home is still the right choice.
Sellers, if you haven’t heard back from your buyer, you’re likely not being ghosted. If you’re wondering how long buyers have to respond after the inspection report comes in, you’re not alone. Most buyers have between 5 and 10 days after the offer is accepted—but the exact number depends on the contract and local real estate laws.
Whether you’re buying a home in Richmond, VA or selling in Salt Lake City, UT, we’re breaking down exactly what happens after the inspection: how many days buyers have to respond, what the options are, and how to navigate this stage with confidence (and minimal stress).
Key takeaways:
- After the home inspection, expect to hear from the buyer in 5-10 days, if not sooner. If in doubt, check in with the contract in place or the real estate agent.
- No news doesn’t necessarily mean bad news—the buyer might be planning on buying the house as-is or getting repair estimates to bring to the table for negotiations.
- If the buyer doesn’t respond within the contingency window, they can lose their earnest money or face other consequences.
How many days after a home inspection does the buyer have to respond?
Most buyers have between 5 to 10 days after an offer is accepted to schedule a home inspection and come back to the seller—but the timeframe depends on the purchase agreement, local laws, and any negotiations between buyer and seller.
If there is an inspection contingency in place, the buyer has until the end of the contingency window to come back to the seller with any repair requests or negotiations.
But timelines can vary widely:
- In fast-moving markets, buyers might have as little as 3 days to make a final call after the home inspection.
- In California, buyers often have up to 17 days to complete all inspections and requests.
- In Texas, buyers can purchase time following the inspection, known as the “option period” — a non-refundable fee for extra time to inspect the home and back out if needed—without penalty.
Pro tip: Buyers and sellers should refer to the contract in place or ask your agent how long the inspection contingency window is for your situation.
Why is the buyer silent after the home inspection?
Also known as the inspection contingency window, the period after the home inspection is when the buyer can request repairs, negotiate on the home’s price, or walk away from the house based on the inspection findings.
If a buyer is silent after the home inspection, they’re likely working through a few important steps:
- Reviewing the full inspection report carefully, noting any major issues, safety concerns, or hidden costs.
- Scheduling follow-up inspections if needed. A general home inspection might flag potential problems with the roof, foundation, HVAC, mold, or electrical that need a closer look.
- Getting repair estimates from licensed professionals, especially for big-ticket items like plumbing, electrical, or roofing.
- Discussing red flags with their real estate agent to determine which issues are worth negotiating over and which are more cosmetic or expected for the home’s age.
Then, based on what is found, the buyer can decide whether to:
- Proceed with the purchase as-is.
- Request repairs or ask for seller credits.
- Renegotiate the price based on the cost of needed fixes.
- Walk away from the deal entirely (if the contract includes an inspection contingency).
Can a buyer back out after a home inspection?
Yes, a buyer can usually back out of a real estate deal after a home inspection—as long as the contract includes an inspection contingency. The inspection contingency gives buyers the option to walk away without penalty if the inspection turns up any issues they’re not comfortable with.
Here’s how it works:
- The buyer must notify the seller in writing and within the agreed-upon timeframe (usually about 5–10 days).
- If the contingency is followed correctly, the buyer is usually entitled to the full amount of their earnest money.
- If the deadline is missed, or the buyer didn’t include an inspection contingency, they may lose their deposit or face legal consequences.
This is why it’s crucial to:
- Review the inspection report promptly
- Communicate clearly and in writing
- Work closely with the real estate agent to stay within the deadline
Backing out shouldn’t be taken lightly, but the inspection period is designed to give buyers a safe way out of the contract if the home isn’t as expected.
Can a seller back out after a home inspection?
In most cases, no—once the purchase agreement has been signed, sellers are generally committed, even if the home inspection turns up issues or the buyer starts asking for repairs that weren’t expected.
But, there are a few situations when a seller might be able to back out:
- The buyer misses a key deadline: If they don’t respond during the inspection contingency period, some contracts give sellers the option to cancel the sale or move forward “as-is.”
- The buyer’s requests get out of hand: Sellers can’t cancel just because they don’t like the requests, but if negotiations completely break down, both parties might agree to walk away.
- A seller contingency was included: Sellers might add their own contingencies—like needing to find a new home first. If that falls through, the home sale might not go through.
Heads up: Whether buyer or seller, trying to back out without solid legal footing could open the door to a lawsuit. The party at loss might sue to force the sale (called “specific performance”) or for damages if they’ve already spent money on inspections, appraisals, or moving.
How long does a seller have to respond to buyer requests?
Once the buyer comes back with requests after the home inspection, the seller typically has about 3 days to respond. From there, the buyer will usually have 3 days to respond to the seller, and so on, until all negotiations have been completed.
But the timeline that’s followed once the buyer comes back to the seller depends on a few factors:
- Deadlines outlined in the purchase agreement
- The buyer’s inspection contingency deadline
- Other contingency timelines, like financing or closing dates
Even if the contract doesn’t have firm deadlines in place, it’s in the seller’s best interest to respond to the buyer as quickly as possible to keep the sale moving forward.
What happens if the buyer misses the deadline?
If the buyer doesn’t respond to the seller within the inspection contingency period, there can be serious legal and financial consequences—or even loss of the home. If the buyer misses the response deadline, they might face:
- Being locked into buying the home “as-is”: No chance to request repairs or credits after the deadline passes.
- The seller cancelling the sale: Some contracts let sellers walk away if the buyer misses key dates.
- Loss of negotiation leverage: After the window closes, sellers are under no obligation to negotiate further.
- Potential legal or financial consequences: Buyers might lose their earnest money or be in breach of their contract.
Understanding contract deadlines and keeping in close contact with your real estate agent is crucial for both buyers and sellers during this period.
No news doesn’t necessarily mean bad news
Buying and selling a home has a lot of moving parts, but if a buyer goes quiet after the home inspection, it’s usually not a bad sign. Most of the time, buyers are just as eager to close as sellers.
Knowing how many days the buyer has to respond after the inspection—and what that process looks like—can help a seller be prepared and responsive, keeping the home sale on track.
Clear communication, meeting deadlines, and leaning on your real estate agent for guidance are key to ensuring a home sale goes as smoothly as possible—whether you’re the buyer or the seller.
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