I represent a seller who's home recently went under contract. The sales agreement is contingent upon a satisfactory home inspection, a common stipulation.

The report was sent to me via e-mail. Usually the repair list is summarized within the report and I can print a one or two page summary that addresses the primary issues/repairs. Unfortunately, the report was lengthy and I couldn't find the summary. To save myself time and eyestrain, I hit the print button on my computer so I could carry the report with me for later review.

Since the house was 35 years old, the seller and I expected there would be repair issues, along with some minor wear and tear. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the home inspection report was 69 pages long! Really! SIXTY NINE pages!

The report contained 147 photos. While reviewing the report, I did notice a summary, which included duplicates of the aforementioned photographs.

My home inspector friends might object to my critique, but this post is not meant as a personal attack. Home inspectors offer a valuable service. And if I represented the buyer side of this transaction, I might feel differently. But a sixty-nine page report seems excessive, in my humble opinion.

The real problem with the report, despite it's length, was that it was difficult to extract the issues! Many of the photos were taken, I believe, to CYA or to justify the cost of the inspection. There were numerous plumbing and electrical issues addressed (multiple times throughout), duplicate photographs, duplicate commentary, etc.

Fortunately, the buyer and seller are behaving professionally and each want a mutually acceptable resolution to the home inspection, so this house WILL close. However, if the buyer wanted to be a snoot about it, there could be a different outcome.

What do you think? Could a sixty-nine page report kill the deal? Hopefully, it won't kill THIS one!