What Is an Inspection Contingency When Buying a Home in NH?

🏡 What Is an Inspection Contingency When Buying a Home in NH?

When buying a home in Plymouth, Campton, Thornton, Rumney, Ashland, Holderness, or any part of Central NH, the inspection contingency is one of the most important protections you can have in your purchase agreement.

Here’s exactly what it means and why you need it.

⭐

What Is an Inspection Contingency?

An inspection contingency gives the buyer the right to:

✔ Hire professional inspectors

✔ Review the home’s condition

✔ Request repairs or credits

✔ Renegotiate the deal

✔ Walk away if major issues are found

—all without losing their earnest money, as long as they follow the contract timeline.

It protects buyers from hidden and expensive problems.

⭐

What Do Inspections Usually Cover in NH?

Common inspections include:

🔧 General home inspection — structural, roof, plumbing, electrical

🚰 Water testing — wells, flow rate, bacteria, arsenic

💧 Septic inspection — tank, leach field, baffles, drainage

🪵 Pest inspection — termites, carpenter ants, rodents

🌬 Radon air test — common in many NH properties

🌲 Chimney inspection — especially in homes with wood stoves

Rural towns like Thornton, Rumney, and Campton rely heavily on wells and septic, making inspections even more important.

⭐

What Happens After Inspections?

After inspections, buyers can:

1️⃣ Request repairs

Seller fixes agreed items before closing.

2️⃣ Ask for a credit

A dollar amount given back at closing.

3️⃣ Renegotiate price

Common if significant issues are discovered.

4️⃣ Accept the home as-is

If issues are minor.

5️⃣ Walk away

If major problems are found and the seller won’t address them.

⭐

Can a Buyer Waive the Inspection Contingency?

Yes — but it is very risky, especially in rural areas.

Skipping inspections can lead to:

⚠️ Unknown septic issues

⚠️ Expensive well repairs

⚠️ Mold or water intrusion

⚠️ Safety hazards

⚠️ Electrical or structural problems

Most buyers should not waive this contingency unless buying new construction or using inspections for informational purposes only.

❓

Q&A

Q: Can I do inspections even if I waive the contingency?

A: Yes — you can still do inspections for your own knowledge. You just can’t negotiate or back out because of the results.

📌

Keywords

inspection contingency nh, home inspection new hampshire, plymouth nh real estate, campton nh home buying, thornton nh inspection process, rumney nh buyer guide, central nh real estate tips

Jim Johnson Real Estate Agent

58 NH Route 25A

Wentworth, NH 03282

P: (857) 249-7392

W: www.JimJohnsonRealEstateAgent.com

Licensed New Hampshire REALTOR® with Three Hills Real Estate Services

Broker Email: info@ThreeHillsRES.com

Broker Website: www.ThreeHillsRES.com