What happens if you miss an inspection, appraisal, or loan contingency deadline when buying a home in California? Many buyers assume their contingencies automatically expire when the deadline passes, but that is not typically how the standard California purchase agreement works. In this video, Katherine explains what actually happens.
When a buyer misses a contingency deadline, the contingency does not simply fall away on its own. Under the standard agreement the seller's next step is a Notice to Buyer to Perform, a formal notice asking the buyer to remove the contingency within the time the contract allows, and the video explains how that notice works.
If you need more time, requesting an extension before the deadline is the safer move: it can help protect your deposit and keep the purchase on track rather than leaving the next step to the seller.
Understanding your contract deadlines is essential to protecting yourself during escrow, from the inspection period through loan approval.
Buying in Orange County and want someone tracking every deadline with you? Reach out — Katherine is happy to help. The California escrow article on this site walks through the full timeline, and the companion Short on what a home inspection does not cover is a good next watch.
Source: the video's own description of how contingency deadlines, the Notice to Buyer to Perform, and extensions work under the standard California purchase agreement; no figures are cited. This is general information, not legal advice: the exact notice periods and remedies are set by your contract, so review your deadlines with your agent and, where needed, an attorney.