What is the Attorney Review /Inspection Period?

Understanding the Attorney Review & Inspection Period

Now that we have a fully executed contract and your earnest money deposit has been submitted, we are officially in the attorney review period (New Jersey only) and inspection contingency period. But what does this mean for you?

The Inspection Contingency Period

What Happens Now?
During this period, you will:
✅ Conduct all necessary home inspections
✅ Review the inspection report and identify any repairs or concerns
✅ Submit any repair requests to the seller within the contract’s contingency period

📌 Important Deadlines

• In Pennsylvania: All inspections and repair requests must be completed within 10-14 days of contract execution.

• In New Jersey: The inspection period begins after attorney review ends and typically lasts 10-14 days (check your contract for exact terms).

• The seller has 3-7 days to respond to any repair requests. Some sellers reply quickly, while others may take longer if they need to obtain quotes or contractor estimates before deciding how to proceed.

What If the Inspector Recommends a Specialist?
If your home inspector suggests further evaluation by a specialist (e.g., roofer, electrician, plumber), it is your responsibility as the buyer to schedule and pay for these additional inspections. Since contingency periods are time-sensitive, schedule any follow-up inspections immediately to ensure everything is completed on time.

Attorney Review Period (New Jersey Only)

In New Jersey, in addition to the home inspection:
✔ Your attorney will review the contract and negotiate any necessary modifications.
✔ If you’re purchasing a condo, this is also when you will review the condo documents, including:

• Building budget

• Rules & Regulations

• Meeting minutes

• Special assessments (if applicable)

Attorney review typically lasts 1-3 business days in NJ and really depends on whether attorneys are involved and if there is further back and forth negotiation. If no attorneys are involved, in NJ, attorney review is the full 3 business days.

What If More Time Is Needed?

If we are unable to complete all inspections or contract negotiations within the agreed-upon timeframe, an extension must be requested before the deadline.
✔ If you have an attorney, they will request an extension on your behalf.
✔ If you do not have an attorney, I can request an extension for the inspection period as your real estate agent.

Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about the inspection process, attorney review, or next steps, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to guide you every step of the way!