Inspection Issues That Delay Closings
- Ethan Martinez
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Closing on a home is exciting—but inspection findings can sometimes slow the process down. While most issues are manageable, certain problems can delay closing if they aren’t addressed quickly.
Here are the most common inspection issues that can hold up your transaction.
Major Safety Concerns
Lenders (especially FHA and VA) may require repairs before closing if safety issues are present. These are especially common during the appraisal process, and appraisal conditions MUST be met before closing can take place. Appraisers perform their own "inspection" of the home and require safety measures like smoke detectors to be in place.
Common examples:
Exposed wiring
Missing handrails
Unsafe decks or stairs
Impact: Repairs must be completed before closing, which can delay timelines.
Roof Problems
Roof issues are one of the biggest closing delays. Roofs can take significant time to install or if a recent hail storm (which never happens in Colorado, right?) has hit they are too busy to perform repairs for months on end.
Inspectors often flag:
Active leaks
Missing shingles
Roofs at end of life
Impact: Insurance companies may refuse coverage until the roof is repaired or replaced.
Plumbing Leaks or Sewer Line Issues
Water-related problems are a major red flag. They can take time to be discovered and once they have, they usually have residual issues like mold or further property damage to address. This can be especially prominent in homes that were not properly winterized when cold temps hit, causing pipes to burst.
This includes:
Active leaks
Failing water heaters
Sewer line damage (often discovered during sewer scopes)
Impact: These repairs can be costly and require negotiation, scheduling, and sometimes excavation.
Electrical Panel Concerns
Certain electrical panels or outdated systems can create delays. These include outdated panels like Federal Pacific (aka Fed Pac) shown below.
Impact: Some insurers won’t cover homes with specific panel brands or unsafe configurations.
Structural or Foundation Concerns
Foundation issues can be deal-defining.
Impact: Buyers often request a structural engineer evaluation, which adds time to the process.
Mold or Environmental Issues
When mold or other environmental concerns are suspected remediation must take place. These measures not only take a qualified appropriate professional to perform, but also tend to take signficant time. Performing these prior to move in can be incredibly critical for homes with small children, elderly, or any inhabitants with asthma or respiratory conditions.
Impact: Additional testing is required, which can delay negotiations and closing timelines.
Repair Negotiations
Even smaller issues can delay closing if:
Buyers and sellers can’t agree on repairs
Contractors are backlogged
Re-inspections are needed
Colorado Springs-Specific Factors
In Colorado Springs, delays often come from:
Expansive soils affecting foundations
Sewer line issues in older neighborhoods
Weather-related roof wear
Rural property considerations like well inspections, septic inspections, and water testing
How to Avoid Delays
Schedule inspections early
Add on services like sewer scopes and radon testing upfront
Check with your lender to make sure they don't have specific requirements for the property type being purchased
Work with responsive contractors that are fully licensed and insured
Keep communication open between all parties
Final Thoughts
Inspection issues don’t have to derail your closing—but they can delay it if not handled efficiently.
The key is identifying concerns early and having a plan to address them quickly so your transaction stays on track.
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