What Can Go Wrong in a Real Estate Deal After a Home Inspection Contingency Has Been Removed or if There's No Home Inspection Contingency?

The primary hurdle after contract ratification between buyer and seller is the home inspection, but even after repairs are agreed on, that doesn't mean that you should completely bank on a closing, whether you're a buyer or a seller. The below aren't far-fetched. In fact, below in red are some examples I've seen in transactions where I've personally represented buyer or seller where a contract either got derailed or that could have derailed a contract that weren't predicated on the home inspection. In black I'll list some other possibilities. I'll start with a doozy that happened the week of closing after the sellers had moved out the weekend before:

1. Buyer Fraud Discovered Week of Closing After Sellers Unstage the Home

2. Major Foundation Work Uncovered Due to Fraudulent Prior Contractor

3. Appraisal Issues

4. Title Issues

5. Financing Issues

6. Survey Issues

7. Non-Disclosed Material Adverse Facts Discovered After Closing

8. Seller Didn't Perform Work as Agreed

9. Insurance Issues

10. Condo/Home Owner's Association

11. System in Home Breaks & Requires Replacement After Home Inspection

12. Agent Misunderstands Contract

13. A Party Gets Ill

Other Contingencies

Destruction of Home on Home I Showed

Change in Status of Buyer or Seller

Disagreement Among 1 Side

Buyer or Seller Gets Cold Feet

With all of the above in mind, I hope that you're not scared or anxious, but I hope that you're also not so comfortable with passing the home inspection that you assume it'll be smooth sailing from there.

Related:

• SE VA House Seller Guide

• What Adam Offers Sellers

• SE VA House Buyer Guide

• What Adam Offers Buyers