2. Credit Report The lender orders a mega-version of the buyer’s credit report. It takes 5–10 days and determines whether the buyer can afford your palace or should stick to renting. 3. Inspections The buyer’s inspector shows up with a toolkit, flashlight, and Sherlock Holmes-level suspicion. They will check everything. Yes, even that outlet you’re pretty sure has never worked. 4. Inspection Drama Buyers might: • Accept the home “as is” • Ask for repairs (aka “The Punch List of Doom”) • Or bail faster than a raccoon in a spotlight Disagree with their findings? You can bring in your own inspector to challenge it. This is like a courtroom drama but with slightly more mildew. 5. Appraisal An appraiser will strut in, measure things, and decide if your home is actually worth the price on the contract. If it’s not? Get ready to renegotiate or cry. 6. Loan Approval Once the appraisal and credit check are good to go, the buyer’s loan is handed to an underwriter. Underwriters are magical finance goblins who approve loans from a mystical cave far away. Give it 3–5 days. 7. Title Work Your title agent or attorney checks to make sure you legally own your home (surprise, it matters). They also calculate how much your mortgage payoff is and prepare the paperwork. 8. Survey Wooden stakes with orange ribbons may appear in your yard. No, it’s not a treasure map—it’s the official property line survey. 9. Pest Inspection A termite inspector (WDO report in hand) checks for wood- munching freeloaders. If they find bugs, treatments may be
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