Short answerYour purchase agreement sets the deadlines, not a state law. Most Indiana agreements give the buyer a set number of days to inspect and respond, set how long the seller has to answer, and set financing and appraisal terms. Missing a deadline can cost you rights. Always read your own contract and confirm every date with your agent.
What contingencies are common?
- Inspection. Time for the buyer to inspect, then a written response asking for repairs or credits, then a seller response.
- Financing. Time for the buyer to get final loan approval.
- Appraisal. What happens if the appraisal is below the price.
- Other terms such as sale of the buyer's home, survey, or well and septic tests.
How do the deadlines run?
Each contract states whether days are calendar or business days, when the count starts, and what happens if a deadline is missed. In many Indiana deals the inspection response is made on a standard Buyer's Inspection Response form. I build a dated calendar from every signed agreement so no deadline slips.
If you are selling
Know the date by which the buyer must respond to inspections and the date you must answer. Have your contractor quotes lined up so you can respond quickly.
If you are buying
Book inspections and specialists the day the contract is signed. A late specialist report does not extend your deadline unless the contract is amended in writing. Contingencies explained.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I have for inspections in Indiana?
Whatever your purchase agreement says. There is no single state number. Read your contract.
Can deadlines be extended?
Only if both sides agree in writing.
What happens if I miss the inspection deadline?
You may lose the right to ask for repairs or end the deal under that contingency. Ask your agent or a real estate attorney right away.
Keep reading
Want to know what a buyer's inspector may find before they do?
Book a free pre listing condition walk. I walk the house with you, point out what inspectors and FHA, VA, and USDA appraisers tend to flag, and give you planning ranges so you can decide what to fix, credit, price in, or disclose.
Book a condition walkOr call or text (812) 525-5489, or email [email protected].
The condition walk is a REALTOR® and contractor evaluation, not a home inspection, and it does not replace one. If you have already signed a listing agreement with another agent, please take these questions to your agent.
Looking at a house and not sure what you are getting into?
Ask for a free Before You Offer review. Send me the listing. I look over the photos, the seller's disclosure, and recent sales, then flag likely condition issues and planning cost ranges before you write an offer.
Request a Before You Offer reviewOr call or text (812) 525-5489, or email [email protected].
The Before You Offer review is a REALTOR® and contractor review of the listing, not a home inspection. It is for buyers who are not already working with an agent. If you have an agent, please bring these questions to your agent.
Written by John Long, REALTOR®, 1 Percent Lists Indiana Real Estate. Working contractor who has priced hundreds of home inspection repair requests. Former labor relations negotiator for a major manufacturer and U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
John Long, REALTOR® · 1 Percent Lists Indiana Real Estate · (812) 525-5489 · yourpropertynegotiator.com
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional home inspection, and not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice. Ask a real estate attorney about contracts and disclosure, a CPA about taxes, your lender about loan rules, and a licensed inspector or tradesperson about your house. Nothing here guarantees a sale price, net proceeds, repair cost, payment, timeline, appraisal, inspection result, or loan approval. Cost figures are planning estimates, not bids. I own Wardmark Property Operations LLC, a contracting company. You are always free to use any contractor you choose.